WATER creatures that resemble alien pods are expected to show up in droves this summer, sparking fear and interest from onlookers.
Some of the pods were recently found in a reservoir with experts predicting that more of them will soon be making an appearance.
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife ConservationThe egg pods were seen in a lake in Oklahoma[/caption]
AlamyThey are very similar to the Alien eggs in the movie Alien (pictured)[/caption]
A photo of the creatures was shared on the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC)’s Facebook page.
The image, captured at the McGee Creek Reservoir, shows a bulbous creature that appears to be the mix of a worm and a lizard egg.
“They look like alien egg pods from outer space,” wrote a viewer.
“I always thought these were egg sacks,” a second person said.
The ODWC clarified that, despite their eerie look, the creature serves a positive purpose for the lake.
“What is that??? If you’re out boating somewhere like McGee Creek Reservoir, you may notice these strange jelly-like balls hanging from submerged tree limbs,” the agency wrote.
Wildlife officers revealed that the creature is called a Bryozoan, an aquatic invertebrate animal.
“These are Bryozoans, and they’ll likely show up in large numbers this summer,” they wrote.
Bryozoans are described as “some of the most abundant fossils in the world,” by the University of Kansas.
They’ve shown up in records since 485 million years ago, predating dinosaurs.
“Don’t be alarmed, these microorganisms are native and are of no danger to you or wildlife,” continued the ODWC.
“They are an indicator of good environmental quality and clear water.”
Bryozoans are the name of the colonies.
They’re individually known as zooids and can reproduce themselves, resulting in the bulbous creature that was pictured by the ODWC.
The creatures eat microscopic plankton and help filter the water that surrounds them.
Viewers of the post were interested in the Bryozoans and asked questions in the comments section.
“I thought these were super cool when I found some. I never noticed them as a kid,” wrote a viewer.
“Are Bryozoan more common than they used to be?”
“I think I read somewhere that if you find these in a lake then it’s healthy waters,” wrote someone else.
“I actually stepped on one floating last summer and it totally creeped me out.”
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife ConservationA photo of the Bryozoan at the reservoir[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
