Mysterious Jelly-Like Creatures Invade California Beaches

Thousands of jellyfish-like creatures known as Velella velella, or By-the-Wind Sailors, have washed ashore along the Southern California coast, including at Huntington Beach, Zuma Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Salt Creek Beach. By-the-Wind sailors are colonial hydroids, comprised of a colony of tiny creatures, and feed on algae and zooplankton. They are not considered dangerous to humans, but have stinging cells, so marine biologists advise people to avoid touching them.