5 'Mysterious, Alien-Like' Sea Creatures That Washed Up Ashore In 2018 [PHOTOS]

Many mysterious sea creatures washed up ashore around the world this year. From a "Globster" with shaggy-hair to a giant jellyfish, some of these rare creatures have become local treasures, while others were dissected and studied by scientists to learn more about their species.

Here are five of the most bizarre and mysterious sea creatures that washed up ashore this year.

"Alien"-looking rough skate

New Zealand local Hanna Mary was shocked when she accidentally discovered an alien-looking creature among the piles of trash that washed ashore in Rakaia Huts beach in Canterbury. She told Fox News that she was convinced that she found a rare deep sea animal when she pulled out the skeleton of the rough skate from the trash.

Malcolm Francis, a fisheries scientist and marine ecologist at National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), confirmed to the New Zealand Herald that the alien-looking creature was a New Zealand rough skate. He said that they are quite common in Canterbury and are known for their prickly appearance.

Francis, who has been studying fish for 40 years, added that rough skates usually dwell at the bottom of the ocean, and he compared it to a flat shark as its skeleton is made out of cartilage.

Talley's Group, a New Zealand-based agribusiness company, said that New Zealand rough skates can grow up to nearly 3 feet long and usually swim about 700 feet deep into the ocean. It is also considered a delicacy in the country.

The "Globster"

Back in May, a giant sea creature with shaggy hair was found in San Antonio beach in the Philippines. Dubbed the "globster," the mysterious "blob" creature measured about 20 feet long, according to The Sun. In a video posted on Youtube, two men used ropes to pull the foul-smelling carcass of the monster out of the water. Vox Krusada, a fishery law enforcement officer, told the outlet that this "globster" was actually the body of a whale, based on the observations of marine experts.

Thick-tailed batfish

Texas park rangers were shocked this June when an odd-looking fish washed up ashore on Padre Island National Seashore in Corpus Christi. It was photographer Edie Bresler who first noticed the big-eyed fish while he was scanning the beach for hidden treasures. Bresler did not know what the fish was when he first saw it, so he quickly took photos of it.

The photos Bresler took were sent to officials at Padre Island National Seashore, who determined after studying the creature that it was a thick-tailed batfish. According to the officials, the fish comes from 600 to 1,200 feet (180 to 365 meters) deep in the ocean, where the creatures are usually described as "weird" and "bizarre."

What apparently makes the batfish unique is that they use their side-fins as legs to "crawl" on the seafloor to feed on worms, fish and small crustaceans. As they usually dwell in the deepest parts of the ocean, they live in darkness their whole lives, and their large eyes serve as defense mechanisms against lanternfish and other predators.

Rare blue jellyfish

Back in October, beaches in New Jersey found themselves littered with "blue button jellyfish." The creature is a disc-shaped, free-floating organism that only measures 1 inch in diameter.

Suzanne Schenker, who spotted the jellyfish while she was taking a stroll along the coast of Beach Haven, told WCBS-TV that the jellyfish were so "vibrant" and "unreal" that she could not help but notice them and stop to take a closer look. She posted photos of the mysterious creatures on "New Jersey Jellyspotters," a Facebook group that has around 800 members.

A biology professor at Montclair State University, Paul Bologna, confirmed in a comment he wrote on Schenker's post that the creatures she spotted were actually porpita porpita, or the blue button jellyfish. The marine biologist added that Hurricane Florence may have transported the tropical jellyfish north. Bologna said that this was the first time this jellyfish species had been found in New Jersey.

Giant "contracting" blob

In September, a large "contracting" animal was spotted on Pakiri Beach in New Zealand. Local Adam Dickinson first discovered the creature washed up ashore, and he immediately told his children not to touch the animal. His children apparently compared the creature to a "volcano."

It was only later that the pink creature was discovered to be a lion's mane jellyfish, and even more surprisingly, it was still alive. Also known as the "giant jellyfish," the lion's mane jellyfish can grow as large as a blue whale. According to international conservation organization Oceana, the jellyfish's tentacles can reach up to 190 feet long, and it can have a bell diameter of up to 7 feet.

What other mysterious sea creatures did you see washed up ashore this year? Tell us below!