A deep-sea oarfish – believed to be a ‘harbinger of natural disasters’ – has washed up on a beach in front of stunned holidaymakers.
The sea beast was spotted by the tourists in shallow water.
The marine animal appears to be barely moving as it arrives on the shoreline and curious onlookers crowd around it.
The oarfish was then seen stretched out on the sand after apparently dying in front of the holidaymakers.
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The deepwater fish was spotted on Stone Island in Sinaloa State, Mexico, on Sunday (17 Mar).
It is unclear if the group called the authorities to remove the beast’s large carcass.
Due to their size and shape, oarfish resemble ‘sea serpents’ and are considered harbingers of earthquakes and misfortune in mythology.
They are one of the longest fish in the ocean and can measure up to 55ft in length and weigh over 440lbs.
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Their body is scaleless and the skin has a slimy, silvery protective coating known as guanine.
Due to its ability to adapt to different temperatures, oarfish are found in most of the world’s oceans with the exception of the poles.
They live at depths of between 200 and 1,000m (656 and 3,280ft) and sightings are not very common.
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Sometimes they wash up on beaches after a storm or when they suffer a serious injury.
When they do appear, many locals take it as a sign that a natural disaster is about to strike.
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