Skin breathing sea cucumbers wash up on Oregon Seaside beach

Sea cucumbers have washed up on the beach in Seaside, Oregon, thanks to a combination of heavy surf and low tide. The pink gelatinous creatures, known as skin breathing sea cucumbers, are normally found burrowing into the sand along the low tideline and farther out. However, on Tuesday, they were scattered across more than 2 miles of Seaside Beach, creating a unique sight for beachgoers.

According to Tiffany Boothe, the assistant manager of the Seaside Aquarium, the sea cucumbers are about a half-inch long but can grow up to 6 inches. This phenomenon occurs when surf and tide conditions coincide, which can happen a few times a year or once in a few years. While a few sea cucumbers may be scattered on the shore during normal circumstances, the large groupings seen on the beach during this episode were quite unusual.

Boothe mentioned that she hasn’t seen this many sea cucumbers on the beach in a couple of years. Unfortunately, these creatures are not capable of returning to their natural habitat on their own, so they will dry up and die on the beach. However, they will provide nutrients for other invertebrates living along the tideline, such as beach hoppers and beach fleas, who will feast on them. Birds do not eat sea cucumbers, so their remains will likely blend in with the sand as they dry up.

Boothe predicts that the sea cucumbers will be gone by Wednesday or Thursday. The scientific name for these creatures is Leptosynapta clarki, and they are found along the coast from northern California to the Gulf of Alaska. Seaside, located about 80 miles northwest of Portland, Oregon, is experiencing this unique natural phenomenon, which is both fascinating and temporary.