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Orange sea creatures washing up along the Outer Banks 

Posted at 1:11 PM, Jul 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-25 17:47:56-04

KITTY HAWK, N.C. - Call them sea mollusks, sea butterflies; anything but jellyfish!

The millions of orange gooey sea creatures washing up with the ocean waves are not harmful, according to Marine Specialist Terri Kirby Hathaway.

Hathaway told News 3 when the wind direction changes sometimes colder water rises up and washes ashore. These small organisms live in that colder water and simply come to shore with the water they live in.

The sea mollusks are whale food. Fisherman of old even called them that, said Hathaway.

The creatures are not deterring anyone from visiting the beach, although many people were curious and looked them up for themselves.

Hathaway said they die once they wash up on the shore anyway, but even living they are not harmful.