Mysterious alien egg pod pulled from Oklahoma lake, officials warn not to be alarmed
Wildlife officials are sounding the alarm—but not in the way you might think. Across lakes and rivers in the United States, mysterious jelly-like orbs are surfacing from beneath the water’s surface, sparking a wave of curiosity, confusion, and even mild panic. Social media has lit up with images and videos of what people are calling “alien egg pods”—glistening, gelatinous sacs that appear to be pulsing with otherworldly energy.
The bizarre blobs, often mistaken for something out of a science fiction film, are usually spotted clinging to submerged branches, rocks, or dock pilings. Some look like they’re packed with tiny eggs, others resemble strange, brain-like structures suspended just below the surface. Online, reactions have ranged from intrigued to horrified. One user wrote, “What in the alien invasion is this?” Another joked, “My son’s convinced they’re body snatchers, just waiting to hatch.”
Despite their eerie appearance, officials say there’s no need to worry.
According to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, these so-called “alien pods” are actually ancient aquatic organisms called bryozoans—tiny invertebrates that have lived on Earth for over 470 million years, predating even the dinosaurs. Each visible mass is a colony made up of thousands of individual zooids, each just a few millimeters long. Remarkably, these creatures are hermaphroditic and reproduce by cloning themselves, creating thick, mucous-like structures that cling to submerged surfaces.
While the appearance of these gelatinous clusters might trigger a sense of dread in swimmers and boaters, the truth is they’re entirely harmless—and even beneficial. Bryozoans are filter feeders, meaning they play a crucial role in maintaining water quality by removing small particles and plankton. Their presence is a strong indicator of a healthy aquatic ecosystem.
The outer layer of these colonies is composed of a material called chitin, a soft but tough substance that can harden when dried, effectively protecting the organism until it can be rehydrated. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, bryozoans are somewhat like soft coral. However, unlike coral, which forms permanent, rock-like structures, bryozoans create more delicate formations using calcium carbonate.
These peculiar creatures are found on every continent except Antarctica, where the frigid temperatures are too extreme for them to survive. They spread primarily through water systems, but can also travel by hitching a ride through the digestive systems of birds or fish. Their life cycle includes producing statoblasts—tiny seed-like structures that can survive winter and initiate new colonies when warmer seasons return.
Still, not everyone is comforted by the science.
One Facebook commenter admitted, “I’d lose it if one of those things brushed up against me in the lake.” Another added, “Wonderful—one more reason to be creeped out in the water!” A third quipped, “Sure, the government says they’re bryozoans…”
Even with the growing awareness, the eerie appearance of these underwater colonies continues to captivate and unsettle those who encounter them. Whether you’re a curious explorer, an amateur biologist, or just someone who enjoys a quiet day by the lake, spotting one of these blobs can be both a fascinating and slightly unnerving experience.
So next time you see what looks like an alien sac suspended underwater, take a closer look—then relax. It’s not an extraterrestrial invasion. It’s just one of Earth’s oldest, oddest, and most misunderstood life forms doing its quiet part to keep our waters clean.
Have you come across these strange aquatic colonies in your local lakes or rivers? If so, we’d love to hear about it. Share your story and help spread awareness—because not everything that looks alien is from another world.