Purple Sea Creatures Cause a Stir on California Beach

The deceased sea hare washed up on the beach, surrounded by purple 'blood'

"Terrifying monster," "frightening purple creature," and "body parts(!!!)" - these were some of the descriptions used by beachgoers in California to describe what they encountered this week. Countless anxious calls reporting 'a strange creature or body parts' were received by the county police, who quickly dispatched officers to the scene. <\/span><\/p>

However, researchers who arrived assured everyone: it's not a monster, everything is fine. It's just a sea hare. "Sea hares feed on plants and are harmless. Although not endangered, they aren't commonly seen in our area," said Carolyn Jones, spokeswoman for the Eastern Bay Beaches. <\/p>

A 'dying' sea hare in the hands of a researcher. Its 'long ears' are clearly visible

So, what is a sea hare, and why is it called that?

A typical sea hare weighs around 13 pounds and measures about 30 inches long. Its unusual appearance resembles a large snail without a shell. It got its name due to the 'ears' extending from its head, giving it a somewhat 'rabbit-like' appearance. Generally, sea hares are drawn to warm waters, which might explain their drift to the coastal areas - where the temperatures have been unusually high this year. <\/p>