Nature can be surprising and likely so, it was an astonishing moment for the Dubai Municipality as they spotted millions of needle-shaped marine creatures on Dubai’s beaches.

These butterfly-looking marine creatures were recently spotted on Dubai beaches and have pointed shells for their protection and measure between 7.15 and 13.2 millimetres in length.

While their appearances might look foreboding, the Dubai Municipality assured that these tiny organisms are harmless and non-toxic.

After spotting these tiny creatures on Tuesday, the Dubai Municipality went ahead and described the details of the organism for the public’s assurance. These tiny creatures hail from the Creseis Acicula species and belong to the family of sea butterflies, a sub-category of sea snails. Their bodies are protected by a pointed needle-like shell and not considered toxic and do not pose a threat to the safety of beachgoers. However, they can cause discomfort as they can stick to the body. The organisms usually die on the dry sand after the tide sweeps them to the shore.

The Creseis Acicula species is found mainly in warm waters and is widely distributed across the world’s oceans. The creatures tend to appear in coastal waters following changes in marine conditions such as storms and strong winds, sudden changes in marine currents as well as sharp fluctuations in temperature, salinity, and food availability.

It is for the first time; these creatures have been found by the Municipality in such large numbers on the Emirate’s beaches. Previously, large bunches of the remains of these organisms were found on Al Shurouq Beach and later on May 25, they were first spotted live on Al Shurouq Beach, and to a lesser extent in a part of Jumeirah-3 Beach, while on 27 May, they were spotted in Jumeirah-1 Beach.

The authorities, post monitoring, between May 31 to June 1, did not spot them on public beaches, but in the marine waters off Al Shurouq Beach outside the swimming area.

Further, the Dubai Municipality has intensified environmental checks at all public beaches in the region to monitor the extent of their spread on the emirate’s coasts, and collect samples for analysis and study.