Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…
The amount of people it takes to lift an animal/fish etc. is usually a good barometer of its size, so judging by the fact that it took at least 15 people to pick up a deceased giant oarfish in California recently, we’re guessing that it must have been some sight when viewed at close quarters.
According to USA Today Sports, the oarfish was discovered by Jasmine Santana, a marine science instructor at the Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI) in California, when she was snorkelling a couple of miles outside the town of Avalon on Sunday.
“It took 15 or 20 of us to pick it up,” Jeff Chace, programme director with CIMI told local TV station KTLA.
Sightings of oarfish are believed to be incredibly rare and although the one that Santana came across was 18-foot long, the so-called ‘sea serpents’ can grow up to 50 feet. So while Santana would have got quite the fright as it was, we can only imagine how she would have reacted if she came across one almost three times as long.
Reports suggest that the oarfish died of natural causes and scientists at the Institute are still unsure as to what to do with their latest arrival.
It doesn’t exactly lend itself to being hung up on a wall after all.
Hat-tip: USA Today Sports
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
