
With roughly 95 percent of the planet's oceans still unexplored, scientists may never fully document the diverse species inhabiting their depths. Occasionally, these peculiar beings find their way to us. Severe weather, external factors, or sheer misfortune have brought bizarre marine creatures ashore, leaving observers both puzzled and occasionally frightened until they can be identified.
The fangtooth snake eel, scientifically known as Aplatophis chauliodus, recently made headlines in Texas after Hurricane Harvey. Below are a few more instances of enigmatic creatures that have mysteriously ended up on beaches.
1. THE MONTAUK MONSTER // 2008
In July 2008, an image resembling the demon from Ghostbusters that haunted Sigourney Weaver went viral online. Dubbed “The Montauk Monster” after its discovery on a New York beach, this peculiar carcass baffled onlookers. The creature was never autopsied—it was mysteriously removed—but zoologists reviewing the photo were confident it was a decaying raccoon, its appearance drastically altered by hair and skin loss. Later, three men from Shelter Island confessed to finding a dead raccoon and giving it a flaming "Viking funeral" on the water. Whether true or not, the “monster” was likely the same animal known for rummaging through garbage.
2. THE INDONESIAN KRAKEN // 2017
Death and decay can dramatically change a creature’s appearance, making it hard to recognize. This was the case with a 49-foot-long mass that surfaced near Seram Island, Indonesia, in May 2017. Initially thought to be a giant squid, experts later identified visible skull, jaw, and spine features in photos, suggesting it was a baleen whale. While such whales typically sink after death, bacterial gases may have kept this one afloat.
3. THE DEMON DOLPHIN OF SAKHALIN // 2015
In 2015, a mysterious, decaying creature washed ashore on Russia’s Sakhalin Island. Its long beak initially suggested it was a dolphin, but observers noted that dolphins lack fur. The fur-like texture could have been due to skin decay, but witnesses also reported seeing paw-like features. Experts speculated it might have been a bottlenose whale calf. Before a conclusive identification could be made, the body was swept back into the sea.
4. THE MADBALL OF CAPE TOWN // 2014

Resembling a Cenobite keychain, this fearsome little creature was reportedly found on a Cape Town, South Africa beach by a tourist. With a body seemingly dominated by a massive mouth and sharp fangs, the bizarre specimen was photographed and sent to the University of Cape Town’s biological sciences department. Experts identified it as Chorisochismus dentex, or klipsuier, a mussel-eating fish. The dried-out corpse had distorted its already unsettling appearance.
5. THE NEW ZEALAND SEA MONSTER // 2013
Measuring about 30 feet long, with sharp teeth and a wide-open mouth, this creature discovered in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty bore a striking resemblance to the Jurassic Park logo. Its heavily damaged state led to guesses ranging from an alligator to a moray eel. Marine biologist Anton van Helden stated it was likely a killer whale, citing its unique tail structure. Orcas are commonly spotted in New Zealand waters.
6. A COLOSSAL EYEBALL // 2012
Rarely does Florida produce news that fails to intrigue. When mysterious objects wash up on its shores, they inevitably grab national headlines. In 2012, a fully intact eyeball, roughly the size of a softball, was discovered on Pompano Beach, located just 10 miles north of Fort Lauderdale. This unsettling, detached eye was sent to marine biologists, who identified it as originating from a swordfish. While isolated body parts rarely wash ashore, the eye's presence was likely due to a fisherman who, after removing it with a blade, discarded it into the ocean.
7. THE OCEANIC BEAST // 2012
In 2012, Folly Beach in South Carolina became the scene of a startling find when a massive, armored fish measuring over 10 feet long was discovered on the sand. The South Carolina Aquarium confirmed it was a sturgeon, an ancient species with ancestors dating back 350 million years, capable of reaching weights of 500 pounds or more. While sturgeon eggs are prized for caviar, this particular specimen was left untouched, sparing it from becoming a delicacy.
8. THE ROCH NESS MONSTER // 2015
Hollingworth Lake, located near Littleborough, England, evokes images of idyllic childhood experiences filled with boating, fishing, and forging lasting friendships. However, in 2015, it briefly became the source of unsettling dreams when a 5-foot-long, sharp-toothed creature was found washed ashore. Believed to be a pike, locals expressed astonishment, unaware that such a massive inhabitant lurked in the waters. One resident described it as “something straight out of prehistoric times.”