'Alien-like' creatures are appearing on Aussie beaches—are they in your local area?
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Australia, home to about 300,000 unique species, is no stranger to bizarre wildlife. However, a recent discovery has Aussies scratching their heads.
‘Alien-like’ sea creatures with orange-brown patterns on their squishy bodies have washed up along the shorelines, sparking a lot of curiosity.
Three local residents from different coastal regions have captured these ‘alien-like’ creatures on camera, taking to social media for answers.
‘Found at Semaphore today (in Adelaide), can anyone ID please?’ one posted.
‘Anyone know what the h*** this thing is? Found it washed up on northern beaches in Sydney, appeared somewhat alive and there was a few of them about the size of a frisbee,’ another pondered.
‘Can anyone identify this thing washed up on a beach in South Queensland?’ a third one asked.
While many social media users humorously suggested the creature looked like an ‘alien’, experts from the Australian Museum have identified it as an ascidian.
For those unfamiliar with the term, ascidians are also known as ‘sea squirts’ or ‘tunicates’, which are marine animals that often attach themselves to underwater surfaces.
Marine ecologists describe them as a unique evolutionary link between invertebrates (animals without backbones) and vertebrates (animals with backbones) and are usually spotted in the shallow, rocky waters off Australia's eastern and southeastern coasts.
To add a bit of humour to the science, these odd-looking creatures have even earned a cheeky nickname. They're sometimes called ‘Your very distant, weird cousins that no one wanted at Christmas lunch.’
But why is Australia home to such unique wildlife?
The answer is the country's long-term geographical isolation.
This mysterious sea creature, like many of Australia's one-of-a-kind animals, can be traced back to when the continent separated from Antarctica around 50 million years ago.
Because of this extended period of isolation, Australia has become home to a diverse range of species you won't find anywhere else, from kangaroos to egg-laying platypuses.
It turns out that the creature that looks ‘alien-like’ and has sparked widespread curiosity is actually another unique, though unusual, Australian native.
Members, what do you think about these ‘alien-like’ creatures? Have you seen any around your local area? We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Share your pictures below!
‘Alien-like’ sea creatures with orange-brown patterns on their squishy bodies have washed up along the shorelines, sparking a lot of curiosity.
Three local residents from different coastal regions have captured these ‘alien-like’ creatures on camera, taking to social media for answers.
‘Found at Semaphore today (in Adelaide), can anyone ID please?’ one posted.
‘Anyone know what the h*** this thing is? Found it washed up on northern beaches in Sydney, appeared somewhat alive and there was a few of them about the size of a frisbee,’ another pondered.
‘Can anyone identify this thing washed up on a beach in South Queensland?’ a third one asked.
Aussies are finding ‘alien-like’ creatures on beaches. What on Earth could it be? Image Source: Reddit.
While many social media users humorously suggested the creature looked like an ‘alien’, experts from the Australian Museum have identified it as an ascidian.
For those unfamiliar with the term, ascidians are also known as ‘sea squirts’ or ‘tunicates’, which are marine animals that often attach themselves to underwater surfaces.
Marine ecologists describe them as a unique evolutionary link between invertebrates (animals without backbones) and vertebrates (animals with backbones) and are usually spotted in the shallow, rocky waters off Australia's eastern and southeastern coasts.
To add a bit of humour to the science, these odd-looking creatures have even earned a cheeky nickname. They're sometimes called ‘Your very distant, weird cousins that no one wanted at Christmas lunch.’
Do these patterned ascidians, with their soft, jelly-like bodies and intricate designs, look familiar to anyone? Image Source: Social media.
But why is Australia home to such unique wildlife?
The answer is the country's long-term geographical isolation.
This mysterious sea creature, like many of Australia's one-of-a-kind animals, can be traced back to when the continent separated from Antarctica around 50 million years ago.
Because of this extended period of isolation, Australia has become home to a diverse range of species you won't find anywhere else, from kangaroos to egg-laying platypuses.
It turns out that the creature that looks ‘alien-like’ and has sparked widespread curiosity is actually another unique, though unusual, Australian native.
Members, what do you think about these ‘alien-like’ creatures? Have you seen any around your local area? We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Share your pictures below!
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