A Pacific snake eel, a species rarely seen in waters as far north as Oregon, was discovered wriggling in the sand south of Astoria over the weekend.

Around 11:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, Jerry and Sue Olson were walking on Sunset Beach when they happened upon the creature, which appeared to be in distress. He called the Seaside Aquarium to report what he thought was a sea snake. The aquarium is closed due to coronavirus social distancing protocols, but staff were still there to care for the animals and to take the call.

“As soon as he said, sea snake we knew that it was most likely a Pacific Snake Eel,” the aquarium said in a Facebook post.

Pacific snake eels generally inhabit the waters between Peru and northern California, but rarely travel as far north as Oregon. The animals typically grow to around three feet in length. Sunday’s discovery was only the third time this particular species of eel has been found on an Oregon beach, according to the aquarium.

A similar scene played out last year when beach goers came upon a Pacific snake eel buried in the sand in Long Beach, Washington.

Staff from the aquarium responded on Sunday, but said the eel was too lethargic to put back in the ocean. Instead, the animal was brought it back to the aquarium where it was put in an isolation tank.

“Over the next few days we will begin to warm the water to try to make him more comfortable,” the aquarium said.

-- Kale Williams; kwilliams@oregonian.com; 503-294-4048; @sfkale

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