Terrifying Sea Creature Washes Up on California Beach, Sparks Viral Reddit Reactions

A sea creature resembling something out of a horror movie recently washed ashore on a beach in Southern California, shocking beachgoers and internet users alike. The sight was so disturbing that photos shared on Reddit were marked as not safe for work due to the animal's grotesque appearance.

The strange marine carcass was found near Dana Point, California. Thanks to the detailed photos and location, online commenters quickly worked to identify the creature. According to Tim Daly, a spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the bloated sea animal is most likely a dead moray eel. Daly noted that the eel looked “a little bleached out from being dead.”

While their appearance may be unnerving, moray eels are actually common along the Southern California coast, typically residing among reefs in shallow waters. They’re not poisonous and not naturally aggressive, but they can bite if they feel threatened—using their two rows of razor-sharp teeth to latch on.

Despite the eerie encounter, Reddit users found humor in the situation, filling the comments with pun-laced lyrics inspired by the famous Dean Martin song “That’s Amore.”

“That’s a moray. Go back tonight to confirm. If the moon hits its eyes like a big pizza pie—that’s a moray,” one user joked.

“When the jaws open wide, and there’s more jaws inside, that’s a moray,” another added, referencing the eel’s fearsome dental structure.

Needless to say, this is one sea creature most people would rather not run into while swimming.