An unsightly creature has washed up on a beach – leaving internet users terrified.
The marine animal is believed to have been found last weekend by a passerby in Dana Point, California.
The beach-goer stopped when they noticed something peculiar in the distance.
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A few snaps of the animal were later shared online, as reported by What’s The Jam.
“Dead marine animal washed up on shore, what is this thing?,” the caption read.
In the image, a long pale sea creature can be seen lying lifeless on the sand, covered in seaweed.
It has a long nose and sharp teeth, as well as a long tail and no fins.
The post has gathered over 1,285 likes with dozens of people sharing their thoughts.
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“I’ll see myself out,” said one person.
“I hate it and I love it. Thank you for your service,” added someone else.
Someone else said: “Horrifyingly goofy thing wtf.”
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Another person said: “Those things are so alien-looking. But as others have already said, def not an alien but rather an eel.”
The creature, found on Sunday 13 October, is believed to be a moray with many social media users cracking jokes linked to the hit song ‘That’s Amore’, performed by Dean Martin.
A moray is a species of the eel family and usually lives in tropical and subtropical seas in shallow water.
“When it’s found on the beach, and it’s dead and sun-bleached, that’s a moray!,” said one person.
Someone else added: “If it washes up dead with sharp teeth in its head, that’s a Moray.”
A third user joked: “When it’s white as a ghoul, in a shallow tidal pool, that’s a Moray.”
“That’s a moray. Go back tonight to confirm. If the moon hits it’s eyes like a big pizza pie that’s a Moray,” said someone else.
Someone else said: “And when the eel’s maw has pharyngeal jaws, that’s a moray.”
READ MORE: Mythical Nessie-like ‘sea monster’ spotted emerging from water in front of stunned beach walker
