Buzz
Just last week, the internet was flooded with images of Urechis caupo, also known as the penis fish. Officially recognized as the fat innkeeper worm by marine biologists, thousands of these worms appeared on the beaches of Northern California in early December. A storm likely disturbed their burrows in the sand, depositing them onto Drakes Beach near San Francisco, where they caused quite a stir. Now that the unusual creatures have gone viral, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is using their newfound fame by streaming them live.
The video below, streamed live by California's Monterey Bay Aquarium on December 16, offers an up-close look at the penis fish. Despite the provocative name, the penis fish is neither a fish nor a penis. It's a spoon worm that secretes mucus from its top to trap plankton and uses water suction to pull prey into its burrow. They grow to about 10 inches long and can be found along the Pacific coast.
Fat innkeeper worms usually stay hidden beneath the sand, which is why their appearance covering Drakes Beach this month was such a rare sight. If you missed the chance to see them firsthand, you can get a close-up in the video above. It shows a penis fish wriggling through the Monterey Bay Aquarium's tunnels while staff offer commentary.
Surprisingly, Urechis caupo isn't the only marine creature on the West Coast with a cheeky resemblance to an adult novelty item. The geoduck, a giant mollusk native to the Pacific Northwest, is also notorious for its suggestive appearance.
