During a recent storm, thousands of penis-shaped fish washed ashore at Drakes Beach in California.
![](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/8319412ccdc650026e6da46ee88fa56f55f9d004/hub/2019/12/13/5ea7bbf0-41f3-48da-bea0-d9f7e04a5e29/penisfish.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&height=675&width=1200)
The worm, often called the innkeeper worm, is a 10-inch marine animal that resembles a pink sausage.
Experts believe a recent storm forced the worms from their homes and forced them to shore.
The sea of “penis fish” was discovered by biologist Ivan Parr on December 6 after a storm hit the area.
![](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article21085981.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_inkeeper_in_hand.jpg)
The worm, formally known as the innkeeper worm, is a 10-inch sea creature that looks like a pink sausage (Image: Kate Montana/iNaturalist)
For Bay Nature, biologist Ivan Parr: “The same photograph has been reported over the years at Pajaro Dunes, Moss Landing, Bodega Bay and Princeton Harbor.
![](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/02/seapenis.jpeg?quality=75&strip=all&w=744)
“I’ve heard a lot of imaginative theories from homeless people, like the remains of a sunken sausage freighter.
“In truth, these are living inhabitants of our beaches roughly, but also fortunately, mostly called fat innkeeper worms.”
![](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article21085992.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_innkeepers.jpg)
The worm is a type of spoon worm, it has a spatula-shaped limb that it uses for feeding and swimming (Image: Photo courtesy of David Ford)
The worm is a type of spoon worm, it has a spatula-shaped limb that it uses for both feeding and swimming.
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Innkeeper worms live in U-shaped underground burrows as temporary homes, which are then used by other creatures.
The animals have a life expectancy of up to 25 years and feed on bacteria, plankton and other small particles.
Experts have discovered that the existence of these creatures dates back 300 million years.
![](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article21085993.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Fresh-fat-innkeeper-worm-at-local-fish-market.jpg)
Experts have discovered that the existence of these creatures dates back 300 million years (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
These creatures are perfect food for otters, sharks and seagulls, but in themselves they are harmless and passive creatures.
Innkeeper worms are a delicacy in South Korea, Japan and China and are said to be chewy and salty, but surprisingly sweet.
It is often served with a savory sauce made with sesame oil and salt or a spicier sauce consisting of vinegar and gochujang.
Penis-shaped fish can be cooked or grilled on a skewer with salt, pepper, and sesame oil.
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