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Velella Velella : Mysterious Jelly Creatures Wash Onto Californian Beaches
Velella Velella : Mysterious Jelly Creatures Wash Onto Californian Beaches

Velella Velella : Mysterious Jelly Creatures Wash Onto Californian Beaches

Small blue sails the size of an adult’s hand are covering the pure waters of California’s Monterey Bay as thousands of velella velellas are blown from the ocean to the shore.

Blue Sea Creatures Wash Up on Local California Beaches

Velella Velella is the scientific name for these creatures. They’re related to a jellyfish but don’t have a harmful sting. They float and sometimes wash up by the thousands — even millions.

“It’s a little unusual to have this bloom, this huge number of velella coming up this late in the summer,” Mooi said.

Velellas are also called “by the wind sailors.” That’s because of their small, transparent fins that act as sails.

“And when the wind blows on shore, the wind will blow against the sails and push the little guys up onto the shoreline,” Mooi said.

The large number littering the beach might seem alarming. Mooi said there’s an abundance of velellas out there and something like this won’t hurt the species.

It’s strange for so many to wash up this late in the season, but there’s plenty that will reproduce and come back next year.

Agencies/Canadajournal




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