Beachgoers at California\u2019s A\u00f1o Nuevo State Park were doing double takes after they spotted what looked like a giant elephant seal that had been dunked in purple paint during the annual molting season on the shoreline.<\/p>\n
The bizarre-looking marine mammal, which hauled itself onto the beach at the San Mateo County park, left tourists and even state park officials scratching their heads as they searched for an explanation behind its unusual grape-colored coat.<\/p>\n
Scientists have figured out the mystery of a purple seal spotted at A\u00f1o Nuevo State Park. Courtesy Irene Reti<\/p>\n
Experts determined the hulking seal had simply been lounging on a patch of red algae, which temporarily stained its fur.<\/p>\n
Several thousand pinnipeds come to the beaches for their annual molting season during this time of the year. Anadolu via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Officials floated everything from a diet of purple sea urchins to the possibility of internal bleeding before getting to the bottom of the mystery.<\/p>\n
\u201cEver seen an elephant seal that looks like it took a bath in grape juice?\u201d the park posted<\/a> on Instagram, which received plenty of lighthearted comments from people. One user commented, \u201cValkyries Seal!\u201d while another one said, \u201cHe\u2019s chilling after eating a lot of grapes.\u201d<\/p>\n Officials at A\u00f1o Nuevo State Park soon learned there was nothing unusual \u2014 or alarming \u2014 going on.<\/p>\n Experts determined the hulking seal had simply been lounging on a patch of red algae, which temporarily stained its fur and gave the marine mammal \u201cits striking appearance, just in time for Summer!\u201d<\/p>\n The park said algae that washes ashore can briefly dye elephant seals\u2019 coats, creating eye-catching colors that fade over time.<\/p>\n The colorful visitor arrived during the park\u2019s annual molting season, when roughly 10,000 pinnipeds flock to A\u00f1o Nuevo\u2019s beaches between April and August to shed their outer layer of skin and grow a fresh coat.<\/p>\n Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a> \t\t\t\t\t\t
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