Honolulu, HI (WTVR) – Biologists can’t seem to figure it out. Millions of tiny purple creatures have washed ashore on the beaches in Hawaii.

These pea-sized, crab-like animals are showing up along the beaches in Honolulu but scientists have yet to determine what, exactly, they are.

Biologists say the creatures are likely ‘7-11’ crabs in the larvae stage, but so far they’ve haven’t been able to positively identify the species.

The ‘7-11’ or spotted reef crabs are common in Hawaii, however experts say they have never seen anything like this and they are searching for answers.