A deep-sea oarfish, often considered a ‘harbinger of natural disasters,’ has been discovered washed up on a beach, stunning holidaymakers who spotted the sea creature in shallow waters.
The oarfish, barely moving, drew a crowd of curious onlookers as it lay stretched out on the sand, apparently lifeless.
This remarkable sighting occurred on Stone Island in Sinaloa State, Mexico, on Sunday (17 Mar), leaving it uncertain whether authorities were notified to remove the carcass.
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Oarfish, often likened to ‘sea serpents,’ are steeped in mythology as harbingers of earthquakes and misfortune due to their size and shape.
They rank among the longest fish globally, reaching up to 55ft in length and weighing over 440lbs.
Sporting a scaleless body with a slimy, silvery coating called guanine, oarfish exhibit remarkable adaptability to various temperatures, inhabiting most of the world’s oceans except for the poles.
Typically dwelling at depths of 200 to 1,000m (656 to 3,280ft), oarfish sightings are infrequent, with appearances on beaches occurring post-storms or due to severe injuries.
Locals often interpret their presence as ominous, signaling an impending natural disaster.
