It's not only manatees that beachgoers in Texas will have to deal with along the coast this summer.
A recent video posted to Facebook showed an encounter someone had with a sea creature that resembles an onion and can actually shape-shift!
They're called "onion sea anemones," and according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, have begun to emerge along the shore of southern Texas at North Padre Island.
According to Jace Tunnell of the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, when the anemones wash up they get sand in them and begin drying up. But when they're in water, they absorb the liquid and begin to grow.
When its body is closed, it can resemble a cocktail onion, but the anemones can grow their bodies long enough to resemble a worm as well.
These little guys can also pack a little punch. When found, the anemones often expose their tentacles, which contain structures known as "nematocysts."
The Sanibel Sea School. Says that nematocysts "contain stinging cells that stun the anemone's prey and serve as a great defense against predators," so it's probably just best to leave these little beach onions alone.
We would not recommend using them for your beach cocktails.
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