By-the-Wind-Sailors Invade California Beaches
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Thousands of little blue creatures similar to jellyfish have been washing up on beaches in California.
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Other names for these creatures are Velella velella or By-the-Wind-Sailors.
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By-the-Wind-Sailors are not jellyfish, but are closely related to jellyfish species.
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They fall in the Cnidaria group, which also includes jellyfish and corals.
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By-the-Wind-Sailors use their translucent "sail" to utilize the wind and float through the open ocean.
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Strong winds in the spring and early summer months push them onto beaches.
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By-the-Wind-Sailors are not poisonous, and their tentacles do not sting humans.
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They eat zooplankton and fish eggs using their tentacles.
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By-the-Wind-Sailors pose little threat to humans but may cause slight irritation if touched.
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Stranded By-the-Wind-Sailors tend to disintegrate and die.
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