The mysterious eggs of Mcgee Creek Reservoir

Some eggs observed in Oklahoma waters have impressed the web. They look like something out of a science fiction film, but we're not at the cinema. What is it actually about?

If you ever find yourself in the state of Oklahoma, USA, exploring the waters of McGee Creek Reservoir, you might stumble upon some rather peculiar eggs anchored to tree branches, looking like something out of a sci-fi movie.

Could it be the work of the legendary Godzilla?

Some users joked after photos of these oddities were shared on the Facebook account of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC). But what are these mysterious objects? Is there cause for alarm?

Fear not, for the eggs spotted in McGee Creek Reservoir are not the offspring of some alien creature but are actually aquatic organisms known as bryozoans.

Bryozoans are an aquatic phylum found in all types of environments and depths. This group includes over 5,000 known species that usually live in extensive colonies.

Common in the waters of Oklahoma, bryozoans, or “moss animals” as the individual organisms are called, play a crucial role as an indicator of ecosystem health, acting as a filter.

They reproduce continuously to form a large mass that filters tiny particles from the water for food. What gives them a gelatinous appearance? It’s the soft shell made of a substance called chitin that can harden and even dry out to preserve the organism before it rehydrates, explained the ODWC rangers.

The photos vividly capture their presence, indicating healthy waters and benefiting other species in these habitats, such as mollusks and small fish.

Moreover, these unique “eggs” pose no danger to humans. Encountering them while swimming or kayaking might be startling, but rest assured, their impact on the habitat is decidedly positive.

Source: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC)/Facebook