The ocean covers 70% of the earth, yet humans have only explored about 5% of it. There is so much more we need to discover about the ocean, highlighting just how limited our knowledge is.
Recently, a bizarre sea creature washed up on a California beach, sparking curiosity and raising intriguing questions. Keep reading to learn more about this fascinating event…
The vastness and depth of the oceans mean there are countless undiscovered creatures living in the deep sea. Our limited understanding is constantly challenged by new discoveries, and a recent incident on a California beach was a stark reminder of how little we know.
On October 13, an unusual creature washed ashore at Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach. Identified as a Pacific footballfish by the California park’s Facebook statement, this deep-sea fish typically resides in the dark, harsh depths, making human sightings extremely rare.
The park’s statement expressed surprise, saying, “Guess who washed up just in time for Friday the 13th? It’s angler fish #2 at Crystal Cove State Park!” The post continued, “In May of 2021, the same species of angler fish, Pacific Football Fish, was found onshore by a park visitor, creating quite the buzz. Two years later, the same species of fish washed up again last Friday, October 13th. What does it all mean?” This eerie statement prompted speculation about the unusual event.
The bizarre-looking fish has been taken by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife “for further research,” according to the statement.
There are over 200 species of anglerfish known to exist worldwide. The statement also noted that only females have a long stalk on their head with bioluminescent tips to lure prey in the pitch-black depths, as deep as 3,000 feet!
Anglerfish have teeth like “pointed shards of glass” and a huge mouth that allows them to swallow prey as large as their own body, the statement shared.
The reproductive behavior of these fish is equally fascinating. Males grow only about an inch long, while females can reach up to 24 inches. The statement described their reproduction process, explaining that the male “latches onto the female with their teeth and becomes a ‘sexual parasite,’ eventually fusing with the female until only their testes remain for reproduction.”
Finding such a fish intact on the shore is “very rare,” according to the park. The statement also mentioned, “it is unknown how or why these fish ended up onshore.”
Seeing this strange and intriguing fish highlights the incredible diversity of marine life in California’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). As scientists continue to study these deep-sea creatures, it’s a reminder of how much we still have to learn about our mysterious and wonderful ocean,” the park concluded in their post.
The appearance of this deep-sea dweller on the shore raises many questions about its journey to shallower waters. This remains a mystery for now!
The park also noted a similar incident two years ago, with the fish found in May 2021 now housed at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles.
If you found this story interesting, check out the one below about a boy who found a fish with human-like teeth!
