A huge pile of mysterious alien-like creatures have washed up on a series of UK beaches.
The freaky-looking animals are known as Velella velella or By-the-wind sailors.
They can be dangerous for dogs if they try to eat them.
The organisms look like a round jellyfish in the sand.
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They have concentric circles like a fingerprint and a fin-like ‘sail’.
Countless amounts of the blue-coloured creatures were spotted on beaches in Cornwall.
Locals say they spotted thousands of them on the likes of Daymer Bay, Marazion and Porthcurno.
Matt Slater, Marine Conservation Officer at Cornwall Wildlife Trust previously said: “These creatures are hydrozoans – a colony of tiny individual animals called hydroids.
”They are similar to the Portuguese man o’ war, rather than jellyfish.
”They float on ocean currents, and the sail on top allows them to catch the wind like a sailing boat and travel long distances effortlessly, using their stinging tentacles to catch small marine organisms as they go.
”The colonies are connected by canals that enable the individuals to share the food.”
“Fortunately, the stings are not powerful enough to harm humans or dogs, although it is not advisable to touch them and then touch your face and eyes, as they may cause skin irritation.
”Dogs love eating them – they have a strong smell of the ocean – but I don’t think they are good for them.”
However, a spokesperson for the Cornish Wildlife Trust has since added: “They are similar to the Portuguese man o’ war.
“But don’t worry you can’t get stung by them! The sail allows the organism to catch the wind and travel on ocean currents.”
Horrified locals shared their experience with the creatures that look like aliens, as reported on What’s The Jam.
Suzanne Marie said: “Our dog ate them at Constantine bay before we could get to her and stop her.
“She was really sick so be careful.”
”Hundreds of them on Marazion beach but sadly dead,” said Denise Gent.
Becky Carin said: “Sadly thousands washed up in Marazion last weekend.”
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