At Horseshoe Bay in Port Elliott, South Australia, a beachcomber named Vicki Evans stumbled upon a large, alien-like creature washed up along the shore, leaving locals and social media users alike in awe. Sharing a photo of the strange find on a community Facebook page, Evans described her surprise, saying, “Over 26 years walking Horseshoe Bay – I’ve never seen anything quite like this before!”
The creature, measuring approximately three meters long, had a strange appearance, with translucent stalks covered in tendrils resembling vermicelli noodles, and dangling bead-like shells. Curious netizens quickly speculated that it could be an unidentified deep-sea species or even a new type of jellyfish. Some likened the sight to something straight out of a sci-fi movie. One user remarked, “It looks long judging by the scale of the dog,” noting Evans’s dog, which appeared in the photo for comparison.
Marine ecologist Dr. Zoe Doubleday from the University of South Australia solved the mystery, identifying the creature as a massive colony of goose barnacles, a type of communal crustacean commonly found in Australian waters. Dr. Doubleday speculated that the barnacle colony had likely detached from its “mothership” and drifted to shore in an unusual display.
Known scientifically as Lepas anatifera, goose barnacles are crustaceans that usually attach to floating objects, ship hulls, and wharves. Although common, it is rare to see such a large intact cluster onshore. Interestingly, these barnacles are considered a delicacy in some parts of Europe, especially in Spain and Portugal, where they are served at upscale restaurants and can fetch up to $125 per pound.
This unique sighting at Horseshoe Bay brought a bit of wonder and intrigue to the local community, showcasing the mysterious and unexpected beauty of marine life along the Australian coast.
