Terrifying Sea Creature With Razor-Sharp Teeth Washes Ashore in California

If you thought the ocean couldn’t get any scarier, think again. A ghastly sea monster washed ashore, leaving beachgoers and online viewers in shock.

At a Glance:

  • A moray eel’s corpse washed up on a California beach, terrifying locals and internet users alike.
  • The creepy creature’s sharp teeth and ghostly appearance had people guessing it was a sea monster.
  • Moray eels, though frightening, are generally harmless to humans unless disturbed.

Beachgoers in Laguna Niguel, California, were horrified to discover a nightmarish creature washed ashore recently. The slimy, toothy monster quickly became the subject of an online frenzy after a photo was posted to Reddit, sparking wild guesses about its identity.

Described as “giving nightmares,” the pale, serpent-like corpse looked like something straight out of a marine horror story. Reddit users speculated it could be a plesiosaur or even an “otter with alopecia,” but experts confirmed the truth was a little less mythical. According to Tim Daly, a spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the washed-up creature was actually a moray eel — a common ocean predator found in tropical and subtropical seas.

Known for hiding in crevices and ambushing fish, moray eels are typically not dangerous to humans, though they may bite if provoked. Despite their usually vibrant colors, this particular specimen appeared bleached and decayed after being exposed to the elements. Its sharp, backward-facing teeth, designed to grip prey tightly, only added to the unnerving appearance that sent social media into a frenzy.

Moray eels have a fascinating history, once revered by ancient Romans, who reportedly kept them as pets and even adorned them with jewelry. Though the California eel wasn’t dressed up for the occasion, it certainly garnered plenty of attention from curious — and terrified — onlookers.

As one witty Reddit user put it, “If the moon hits its eyes like a big pizza pie… that’s a moray!”

That’s…creepy.