‘By the Wind Sailors’ wash ashore California beaches

LOS ANGELES – In the event you’ve visited one of many seashores alongside California’s coast not too long ago, you’ll have seen some unusual little blue creatures washed ashore. 

Now whereas they might carefully resemble the toxic Portugese Man O’Warfare, these little creatures will not be toxic and are not even jellyfish. They’re often called Velella velella – or By-the-Wind-Sailors. 

In response to the Level Reyes Nationwide Seashore, these hydroid polyps – cousins of the jellyfish – are literally fairly widespread. They stay within the open ocean however make their manner onto seashores within the spring and early summer time months when sturdy winds – like ones from the current storms – push them ashore.

“They’ve a agency and upright triangular sail connected to their physique which causes them to be caught up by the wind and blown throughout the floor of the water, giving them their identify ‘By-the-Wind Sailors.’ Don’t be concerned about these little blue tentacles that grasp from their physique! These tentacles do not sting people however will collect up loads of zooplankton or fish eggs for them to eat,” officers defined.

“Chances are you’ll come throughout a contemporary wash-up of Velella, tinging the stretch of shoreline blue, but when they have been there some time, they may appear like crinkly and dry ovals of cellophane. So, in the event you occur to be out for a stroll and encounter these sensible blue creatures, promise that you simply’ll leap up and down repeatedly shouting ‘Velella velella!’”

In response to Level Reyes, Velella Velellas pose little risk to people, however in the event you do determine to choose one up, watch out when touching your face and eyes afterward as a result of they’ll trigger slight irritation to your pores and skin.