Giant Pacific octopus washes up on California beach

MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. (KRCR) — A giant Pacific octopus was found washed ashore on a California beach Monday morning.

Photos of the unusual sighting at Clam Beach were taken by Karina Junge, helping to give an idea of the octopus's size. In an email to KRCR, Junge said this was the first time she's seen the species in nature.

According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the species is not uncommon to the area and can be found in the Pacific Ocean from Japan to Alaska and Baja California.

It is currently unknown how the creature found on Clam Beach died.