The creatures, whose scientific name is Velella Velella, are colloquially called by-the-wind sailors.
The creatures, whose scientific name is Velella Velella, are colloquially called by-the-wind sailors -- thanks to the little sail attached on top.They are blue, oval and about 2 to 3 inches long.
Experts, who are studying them at the jelly lab of the Aquarium of the Pacific, say by-the-wind-sailors are not true jellyfish although they are related.“It’s a jellyfish relative so they’re related to things like sea nettles,” says Wagner. “It’s what we call a hydrazone meaning it has an alternating life cycle.”
“We get a bacterial bloom which causes lots of nutrients to be in the water and so more nutrients means there more things to eat. If there’s more things to eat, there’s more reproduction,” he says.Wagner says although climate change has possibly caused them to show up in larger numbers, their appearance isn’t all that unusual. Still it’s probably not a good idea to pick them up.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Velella velella, By the Wind Sailors return to California beachesIt's been about a year since California last saw Velella velella - or By-the-Wind-Sailors - wash ashore the coast.
Read more »
What are those odd-looking sea creatures washing up at the beach?Velella velellas have been spotted all over Southern California
Read more »
Return Of Velella VelellaThe most important stories for you to know today
Read more »
Funding will help seal thousands of abandoned oil wells in Southern California and statewideWith no legally responsible party to clean them up, many of the 5,356 abandoned and deserted oil and gas wells have been polluting drinking water and leaking methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
Read more »
Southern California Edison could increase electricity fees for some California residentsAn extra $24 could be added to SoCal Edison customers' bills this summer. Here's why.
Read more »
¿Qué son esas extrañas criaturas marinas que aparecen en la playa?Las Velella velellas se han visto en todo el sur de California
Read more »