A strange, almost otherworldly creature that washed up on an Australian beach has captivated social media, igniting a wave of speculation and wild theories.
Alex Tan was walking along the Sunshine Coast in Queensland when he stumbled across something bizarre in the sand: a bloated, hairless carcass with four legs, a long rat-like tail, and a skull that looked eerily reptilian.
“It’s like something out of an alien movie,” Tan said in a video he shared to Instagram. “This is one of those things you see when people claim they’ve found aliens.”
The unusual condition of the body only deepened the mystery, per the Daily Star. With flies buzzing and the creature visibly bloated, its identity was far from obvious. Tan speculated it could be a “de-haired possum,” but admitted it didn’t quite match anything he’d ever seen before. “How weird is that?” he remarked in the clip.
His video quickly gained attention, with thousands chiming in online to guess what “little buddy” found on the beach in Australia might be. Some suggested it was the waterlogged remains of a kangaroo or wallaby, distorted by time in the ocean. Others tagged conservationist Bindi Irwin, hoping for an expert take.
According to marine biologists, it’s not uncommon for animal carcasses to appear unrecognizable after prolonged exposure to the elements. Salt water, currents, and scavengers can significantly alter their appearance, making even familiar species look like alien life forms.
This isn’t the first time a mystery creature has washed ashore and triggered speculation. In 2021, several rare deep-sea animals, including the elusive Pacific Footballfish, were found on Southern California beaches. With its black, globular body and bioluminescent lure, the Footballfish looks like it belongs in a sci-fi film. Only 31 have ever been recorded, with three found in California in a single year.
While Tan’s discovery is likely a known species altered by natural decay, it’s a reminder of how strange (and fascinating) the natural world can be, especially when filtered through the lens of the internet.
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