We found this snail 🪼🐌 on the beach in San Diego. When I touched it purple 🟪 ink spilled out of it. It felt kind of bouncy. Anybody knows what it is… Please a need your help
Tiny, vivid purple sea snails caught beachgoers by surprise along the San Diego coast this summer.
Scientists from UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography identified the creatures as Janthina, commonly known as violet sea snails. These animals usually live far offshore, drifting across the open ocean on delicate rafts of bubbles. Seeing them on local beaches is rare.
In July 2025, several were found at La Jolla Shores—marking the first confirmed local sighting in nearly ten years, according to researchers. Warmer offshore currents are believed to have played a role, gently carrying the snails closer to shore than usual.
Up close, their shells resemble polished amethyst—smooth, glossy, and intensely purple. Most are about the size of a thumb. In the wild, Janthina float upside down at the ocean’s surface, feeding on organisms like by-the-wind sailors and, at times, Portuguese man o’ war.
Experts emphasize that the snails pose no threat to people. Beach visitors are encouraged to admire them, take photos, and leave them undisturbed. Many San Diego beaches are designated no-take zones, offering protection to marine life that washes ashore.
The sightings have also sparked scientific interest. Shifts in ocean temperature, including warm-water patches and marine heat waves, can influence which species drift toward the coast. Researchers will continue monitoring conditions to see whether more violet sea snails appear in the coming weeks.
For now, the unexpected splash of purple serves as a quiet reminder that the ocean is always changing—and still full of surprises.
