Thousands of sea cucumbers washed ashore the Seaside beach on Oct. 21, highlighting stronger-than-usual surf conditions on the Oregon Coast.

Sea cucumbers are long, blob-like sea creatures that live just beyond the surf, where they burrow into the sand for protection, according to the Seaside Aquarium.

However, the sea creatures can be dislodged by more aggressive surf and then stranded by low tides.

“Heavy seas and low tides have uprooted thousands of skin-breathing sea cucumbers, leaving them high and dry on Seaside beach,” said a news release for the Seaside Aquarium.

While it's not uncommon for sea cucumbers to wash ashore, it is rare to see so many at once.

"It is remarkable how many have been left stranded," the aquarium said.

While there are many, the sea cucumbers are not har

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