An unusual natural phenomenon recently took place at a Northern California beach which in turn caused a frenzy on the internet for its…bizarre nature. Drakes Beach is a remote and beautiful coastal destination in Point Reyes National Seashore, but it started making headlines after a storm caused thousands of weird-looking creatures to show up on the shore. Known officially as ‘fat innkeeper worms’, these strange marine animals are actually an ancient species that has been around for millions of years, but they are rarely seen aboveground….until now!
Some strange creatures recently took over Drakes Beach after a recent cyclone hit the coast and the event has officially taken over the internet. From their strange appearance to the sheer amount of them, we won't soon forget this weird occurrence.
They first appeared on December 6 after a strong storm took place in the area. Although colloquially known as "penis fish" (for reasons you may guess), these little oddities are actually not fish at all. They are worms— specifically fat innkeeper worms or urechis caupo.
The storm caused thousands upon thousands of these worms to be scattered across several miles of Drakes Beach. The result is one of the weirdest sights we've ever seen! In fact, many beachgoers weren't even aware these worms existed until this phenomenon took place.
So, how did they get there? It turns out that innkeeper worms actually burrow in the shallow areas of beaches all across the West Coast, staying in their underground tunnels for the entirety of their life. The storm washed away several feet of sand in these areas, leaving the worms exposed to the surface.
According to experts, innkeeper worms have been around for millions of years—300 million, to be exact. They can live up to 25 years and grow to be approximately 20 inches. Their appearance may be what sticks out about them the most, but these creatures are actually super fascinating!
We may not be used to seeing these worms very often in the United States, but they are actually considered an edible delicacy in both South Korea and China. Additionally, many animals prey on these phallic-shaped critters including sharks, otters, rays, and seagulls.
If anything, this curious event was a great reminder that the ocean is just full of surprises and some of them are hiding right underneath our feet. It may be awhile before we see these cylindrical animals pop up again on our beaches, but we definitely won't be forgetting this sight anytime soon.
What do you think about the invasion of these bizarre worms at Drakes Beach? It’s definitely caused quite the stir on the internet! You may not be relaxing on this beach anytime soon, but check out this list of The 12 Dreamiest Beaches In All Of Northern California for some beach trip ideas!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
