Disturbing ‘Alien egg pods’ spotted in waters.
When volunteers first spotted the slimy, orange sacs clinging to a floating island in a canal in Utrecht, Holland, they weren’t sure what they were seeing.
The sight was eerie—large, gelatinous blobs resembling something straight out of a sci-fi thriller, glowing orange in the water.
But this isn’t a horror movie. The blobs are real, and they’re spreading fast in European waterways.
Ecologists’ findings explained.
Ecologists quickly identified these bizarre growths as Bryozoan colonies, strange, blob-like creatures usually found in warmer waters like those in North America.
While they resemble “alien egg pods” or “dinosaur eggs,” these clusters are actually colonies of tiny organisms known as zooids.
With both male and female organs, zooids can reproduce themselves in a way that scientists say is “surprisingly efficient.”
The colonies thrive in colonies up to two meters in diameter, latching onto floating debris, rocks, or even the bottom of the canal.
Local ecologist Anne Nijs reported this as the “first sighting of these colonies in Dutch waters,” baffling researchers who rarely expect them outside specific ecosystems.
Social media reactions exposed.
The strange discovery has had social media buzzing with users speculating about alien invasions and sci-fi doomsdays.
One Utrecht resident commented, “I thought I was looking at something prehistoric!” as photos of the blobs went viral.
Context of findings explained.
The finding in the Netherlands adds to sightings reported across the globe, with the colonies popping up in places like Oklahoma and other unexpected locales.
Oklahoma’s wildlife officials recently warned about the creatures, which people have nicknamed “alien eggs” due to their appearance and clustering behavior.
But experts say there’s no need to worry. These odd creatures aren’t harmful and are actually a sign of clean water.
Zooids in the colonies filter tiny particles out of the water, acting as mini water purifiers wherever they grow.
Though they look intimidating, they’re more closely related to coral than any sci-fi monster.
Some experts even say that bryozoans are beneficial to the ecosystem because they serve as a food source for fish, snails, and other water-dwelling creatures.
Still, for a blob of living creatures that can clone itself and grow almost as large as a human, they aren’t exactly inviting.
History os species detailed.
Despite their somewhat “grotesque” look, their jelly-like bodies are made from a substance similar to chitin, which hardens to protect the colony when exposed to air.
The species itself is ancient, dating back around 470 million years—well before dinosaurs.
In fact, fossil records suggest that these colonies evolved from a worm-like creature, making them some of the oldest species on Earth.
Since the 1990s, bryozoans have been expanding through Europe, thanks to their adaptable reproductive capabilities.
As long as conditions allow, colonies continue spreading, growing rapidly in warm, still waters that help them thrive.
Theories about species exposed.
When Nijs found the creatures in Utrecht, she initially wondered if it was a seasonal anomaly or a sign of climate shifts.
Warmer temperatures and connected waterways make it easier for the colonies to “travel,” spreading rapidly in warmer-than-usual climates.
According to the Dutch ecologists, the colonies’ unexpected arrival has made them a research focus in the Netherlands.
Still, local experts are clear on one thing—their arrival, while creepy, poses no direct threat to the ecosystem.
One theory suggests they arrived via ships that carried small statoblasts, the “egg-like” reproductive cells, across waterways.
Statoblasts are hardy, capable of surviving long distances, and can grow into full colonies if conditions are right.
Experts expect the colonies to die off in colder winter temperatures, but not before releasing a new round of statoblasts.
For now, ecologists continue to monitor the colonies, hoping to track their spread and keep residents informed.
So, if you see one of these eerie, jelly-like blobs next time you’re by the water, take a second look.
You might just be looking at a 470-million-year-old survivor of Earth’s prehistoric past.