Australian News Corp reported on July 12 that after the recent floods in NSW, a "alien"-like marine life appeared on Sydney Beach.
Many beach visitors uploaded photos of this unknown creature found in Cronulla, south of Sydney.
"Unknown creatures" appear on Sydney Beach (Image: News Corp Australia)
"Everywhere ... I also want to know what they really are. One user wrote.
Daniel Sokolnikoff, a sydney aquarium administrator, said the alien-looking sea creatures "are actually sea hares, also known as sea slugs."
He said: "This is most likely Aplesia Sydneyensis, a native species of Sydney. ”
"They blend into the environment and come in different colors, such as dark black, brown, yellow, and even red."
The species can grow up to 40 cm long, has a jelly-like body, and often disguises itself as a rock to avoid being eaten by other animals.
Sea hare is also known as "sea slugs" (Image source: News Australia)
Sokolnikoff said that because they feed on seagrass and marine plants, they appear in shallow waters and rocky shores.
Although the sea hare species is not a threat to humans, Sokolnikoff warned residents not to touch the animal.
"If you don't know what it is, don't touch it. Observe from a distance, but don't touch anything you're not sure about. This can interfere with marine life. He said.
(Image source: News Australia)
Licking or touching sea hares has been reported to be toxic to dogs, causing symptoms such as epilepsy, vomiting, muscle cramps, and even death.
The most common symptoms of sea hare poisoning include abnormal excitement, inability to walk normally, tremors, vomiting, drowsiness, and epilepsy.
Experts recommend that if a dog comes into contact with this mollusk, the owner should take the pet to the nearest veterinarian for treatment.