KILL DEVIL HILLS, N.C. — Little clear blobs have been spotted around the Outer Banks.
[ALSO READ: Hundreds of dead jellyfish, shrimp, crabs wash up on South Carolina beach]
Wildlife experts said in a Facebook post Monday that the jellyfish-like critters, called salps, are harmless.
"Although salps appear similar to jellyfish because of their simple body form and planktonic behavior, they are chordates: animals with dorsal nerve cords, related to vertebrates, animals with backbones," they wrote. "This means they are more closely related to humans than jellyfish!"
Our news partners at WLOS reported that the critters are in the area because of phytoplankton blooms, which are their food source.
Kill Devil Hills Ocean Rescue said the black dot in the middle of the blob is their digestive system.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- CMPD searching for suspect after woman attacked inside home during break-in
- Police: Teacher pulls gun during possible road rage incident in McDonald's drive-thru
- Source: Panthers owner wants MLS team in Charlotte by end of year
- FORECAST: Humidity stays in check as temps climb into 90s
- Democratic debate 2019: 5 memorable moments from Part 1 of the first debate
Cox Media Group