A sea creature straight out of a nightmare washed up onto the shore of a Southern California beach recently. Its appearance was so ghastly that the images of it posted to Reddit were marked not safe for work.

The original poster shared they discovered the dead marine animal near Dana Point, California, and it was that detail along with the clear photos that helped identify the unsightly organism.

Tim Daly, a California Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesperson, told SFGATE, he agreed with the majority of the comments on Reddit identifying the bloated animal.

It’s likely a dead moray eel, though this particular one “looks a little bleached out from being dead.”

It’s not uncommon to find moray eels living in the water off the coast of Southern California as they are known to live among reefs in shallow water.

Although they are not poisonous nor are they considered particularly aggressive, it’s best to avoid them. If they feel threatened they will bite and use their two rows of razor sharp teeth to latch on.

Redditors who helped identify the eel took much joy in responding to the original post.

“That’s a moray. Go back tonight to confirm. If the moon hits it’s eyes like a big pizza pie that’s a Moray,” one person wrote.

“When the jaws open wide, and there’s more jaws inside, that’s a Moray,” another added.

“When the jaws open wide and there’s more jaws inside, that’s a moray…” someone else chimed in.

I don’t know about you, but I would hate to encounter this creature in the ocean!

A sea creature straight out of a nightmare recently washed up onto a Southern California beach, much to the shock and horror of onlookers. The images of the ghastly creature were deemed not safe for work when they were shared on Reddit, highlighting just how unsettling its appearance truly was.

The original poster who discovered the dead marine animal near Dana Point, California, provided clear photos that helped in identifying the unsightly organism. Tim Daly, a spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, confirmed that it was likely a dead moray eel, albeit a bit bleached out from being deceased.

Moray eels are not uncommon in the waters off the coast of Southern California, where they are known to inhabit reefs in shallow waters. Despite not being poisonous or overly aggressive, it’s still best to steer clear of them as they may bite if they feel threatened, using their razor-sharp teeth to latch on.

Redditors who helped identify the eel had a bit of fun with the situation, making playful comments and references to the creature’s appearance. From jokes about moonlight hitting its eyes like a big pizza pie to playful lyrics about multiple rows of jaws, the online community found humor in the horrifyingly goofy creature.

While encountering a moray eel in the ocean might be a terrifying thought, it’s a reminder of the diverse and sometimes bizarre marine life that inhabits our oceans. As strange and unsettling as this particular creature may be, it serves as a fascinating example of the wonders and oddities that lie beneath the surface of the sea.