Anonymous
By an edhat reader
Every year it seems we get questions on edhat with photos saying, “what are these?” and “tons of plastic on the beaches, what gives?!”
Thought I’d send a note in for those who don’t know that these cool creatures are not discarded plastic but instead Velella velella, also known as “by-the-wind sailor.”
They are in the Porpitidae family and are free-floating hydrozoan that live on the surface of the open ocean. They are usually deep blue in colour, but their most obvious feature is a small stiff sail that catches the wind and propels them over the surface of the sea. Under certain wind conditions, they may be stranded by the thousand on beaches.
Great PSA. Thank you.
I love these. Great example of natures variation on a theme.