A PhD candidate at Scripps Oceanography not too long ago got here throughout a uncommon purple creature on the shores of La Jolla, California known as a “bubble raft snail.” Bubble raft snails, additionally known as janthina because of their scientific title (Janthina janthina), are marine gastropod mollusks that don’t usually strand on the seashores of southern California. Scientists consider hotter off-shore waters are behind these snails’ sudden look on California shores.
Anya Stajner, the PhD candidate, starred in an Instagram video on Scripps’ account detailing her thrilling discover. Within the video, Stajner reveals off the small snail with a lovely, deep-purple shell.
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“Uncommon pelagic sea snail alert!” wrote Scripps in its Instagram submit. “Not too long ago, Scripps Oceanography PhD candidate Anya Stajner (@planktonprincess) stumbled upon a janthina, a marine gastropod mollusk that packs a purple punch.”
These animals’ nickname, the bubble raft snail, comes from their distinctive capability to create bubbles that hold them afloat. Because the snails float on the floor of the ocean, their comings and goings rely upon wind and water currents. Notably, water temperatures influence water currents.
See the uncommon purple creature and scientists’ guess about why it washed up in California, right here:
Header inventory picture of Janthina by cturtletrax/Getty Photos