An ocean creature pulled directly from your darkest dreams stumbled onto a beach in Southern California recently, leaving internet users trembling. Its grotesque appearance was so frightening that the frightening pictures circulating on Reddit had to be marked as not safe for work.
Fright and fascination filled Reddit when a user posted images of this gruesome discovery. The deceased sea creature was discovered near Dana Point, California, and the careful details provided were crucial in identifying this horrifying interloper.
Tim Daly, a spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, agreed with the general consensus on Reddit regarding the identification of the bulbous creature.
It is most likely a deceased moray eel, even though this particular specimen “appears a touch blanched due to death.”
It’s usual to spot moray eels in the Southern Californian coastal waters, where they frequently inhabit reefs in shallow waters.
They are neither venomous nor particularly aggressive, although it is best to give them a wide berth. If they sense danger, they can bite and employ their double rows of razor-sharp teeth to hold on.
Reddit users who collaborated in identifying the eel did not miss the opportunity for a little levity in response to the original post.
“Indeed, that’s a moray. Validate it later tonight. If moonlight strikes its eyes like a great pizza pie, that’s a Moray,” created a wave of laughter.
“When the jaws expand and reveal more teeth, this is a Moray,” added another user, continuing the jest.
Yet another Redditor echoed, “When the jaws open wide and there’s more jaws inside, that’s a moray…”
Personally, I must confess, I wouldn’t fancy meeting this beast while swimming in the ocean!
