Millions of transparent blob-like creatures are washing ashore on the West Coast due to warming oceans… do YOU know what they are? [Video]

13:43 EDT 19 Mar 2024 , updated 13:54 EDT 19 Mar 2024

Millions of bizarre blob-like creatures have been washing up on West Coast beaches in recent years due to warming waters caused by climate change.

The gelatinous, transparent mases have been found along the coasts of northern California and Oregon, and sometimes as far as Alaska, but typically live in warm seas – and at great depths.

Now, scientists at Oregon State University found these pyrosomes or ‘sea pickles’ are appearing in droves due to a major marine heatwave that started in 2013 – marking the first time the animals have been seen in 25 years.

Since the proliferation of pyrosomes in the Pacific Ocean, they have also consumed the majority of energy in the sea, causing the number of salmon and seabirds to decline.