Reddit Sea Monster Photo Gets Nearly 2 Million Views

Find out what it is.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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A scary photo of a bloody and pierced sea beast uploaded by Reddit user jlitch has been shared thousands of times on social media this week. And everyone is asking what it is.

The original Reddit poster states, "Friend also caught this fishing in N.J." Numerous individuals online and in the media have said the creature is most likely a sea lamprey -- an aquatic parasite that attaches to adult fish with its suction-like mouth.

The sea monster may look humongous in the photo shared on Reddit, but marine experts state the species typically grows 2.5 feet to 3 feet in total length. According to the International Business Times, the picture was taken more than two years ago and was shared on the Internet for the first time last week. All we know is we're avoiding all bodies of water until further notice.

[via HuffPost]

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