A strange marine creature washed ashore in Laguna Niguel on Saturday, baffling beachgoers and sparking a viral frenzy online. Despite its eerie appearance, wildlife officials identified it as a common moray eel.

Tim Daly, spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, explained the eel’s pale color likely resulted from its death. Reddit users compared the creature to an alien or even a plesiosaur, while others joked about its unsettling look.

Moray eels, typically non-aggressive unless provoked, are known for their two sets of backward-facing teeth that trap prey. Historically, they held a surprising place in ancient Rome, where they were prized as delicacies. Famous Romans, including Julius Caesar and the general Crassus, even kept them as pets, adorning them with jewelry.

This California moray eel lacked such glamour, but its discovery highlights the bizarre and fascinating marine life that occasionally washes ashore. As one Reddit user quipped, “If the moon hits its eyes like a big pizza pie, that’s a Moray.”