Animals | May 20, 2023 11:33 AM | Alisa

Thousands of “penis fish” washed ashore on a beach in California, the United States and the strange-looking creatures covered the area

Residents in California have just witnessed an awe-inspiring scene when thousands of creatures that look like male genitals suddenly cover the coast.

Recently, residents of the Drakes coast (California, USA) have witnessed a very unexpected phenomenon: thousands of creatures shaped like “boys” of men appear massively, wriggling. cover a corner of the shore.

It is known that this creature is known as the “penis fish”, even though it is actually a worm. The reason for the name is because the shape of these fat worms looks like a male’s penis, in both “appearance” and colour.

But why do thousands of “precious things” suddenly come ashore like that? In fact, they don’t want that either. According to biologist Ivan Parr, the cause was a large storm that hit the area on December 6.

This worm, also known as the “fat innkeeper worm”, comes from digging U-shaped tunnels in the mud or sand and letting other creatures move in. However, the storm blew them all away, forcing them to leave their homes and expose themselves to the shore, becoming prey for various seabirds.

“A similar phenomenon has been recorded in other areas such as Pajaro Dunes, Moss Landing, Bodega Bay, and Princeton Harbor over the years,” Parr reports in the journal Bay Nature.

“Many people think the worms came from a shipwreck. But actually, this worm has existed on the beaches here for a long time, and is known as the innkeeper worm.”

Talking about these strange worms, they belong to the class of spoon worms – a family of worms with legs shaped like a spoon, used to swim and feed. They live in moist mud, or submerged sand, and can live up to 25 years.

The “penis fish” mainly feeds on bacteria, plankton and a number of other small organisms, using the mucous membrane as a food net, and only eats when the necessary number has been collected. The way they dig tunnels is also quite impressive when they even create a sand hole through the wall to escape and trap prey.

It is also one of the oldest living creatures. Archaeologists have found evidence of their existence more than 300 million years ago. But despite its age, its pitifully small and tender body makes it threatened by a wide range of animals – including beavers, sharks, seals, and even sharks. People.

Innkeeper worms – also known as penis fish: Creatures that look like a man’s penis

In some countries such as Korea and Japan, “penis fish” is also a nutritious speciality on drinking tables. Those who have tasted them said they were quite chewy, chewed very well, and absorbed the salty taste of the sea but then exuded absolute sweetness. This dish requires a special sauce from sesame oil and salt or a special spicy Korean dipping sauce.