Hundreds of rare marine creatures known as Velella velella, or "by-the-wind sailors," have been spotted on a beach in the county of Cumbria in northern England. The unusual blue organisms were found on St. Bees beach, reports infohub.kz.
Local resident Louise Nicholson said she initially mistook them for seaweed and nearly picked one up, but hesitated and took photos instead. Most of the specimens found measure about five centimeters in size.
Georgia de Jong Kleinert, marine environment officer at Cumbria Wildlife Trust, explained that these organisms are not jellyfish, although they look similar. They are colonial hydroids, consisting of hundreds of specialized individuals working as a single floating colony. They get their name from a stiff, translucent "sail" that allows them to move across the water.
Experts warn that the creatures contain venom, so they should not be touched. The unusual marine organisms were brought to the shore by strong winds.