Ari Shapiro

So earlier this month, an oarfish washed up along the southern California coast. Generally, oarfish are long and slender, kind of like giant eels. They can grow to be longer than a school bus. They have big eyes, but no scales or teeth. And as our colleague James Dubeck reported, this was the third to show up since August.

So earlier this month, an oarfish washed up along the southern California coast. Generally, oarfish are long and slender, kind of like giant eels. They can grow to be longer than a school bus. They have big eyes, but no scales or teeth. And as our colleague James Dubeck reported, this was the third to show up since August.

So earlier this month, an oarfish washed up along the southern California coast. Generally, oarfish are long and slender, kind of like giant eels. They can grow to be longer than a school bus. They have big eyes, but no scales or teeth. And as our colleague James Dubeck reported, this was the third to show up since August.

Now, this is pretty interesting because in the last 120 plus years, scientists have only spotted 22 of these oarfish on the California coast.

Now, this is pretty interesting because in the last 120 plus years, scientists have only spotted 22 of these oarfish on the California coast.

Now, this is pretty interesting because in the last 120 plus years, scientists have only spotted 22 of these oarfish on the California coast.

Given how rare it is to see them, it's really no surprise that these fish are more of a thing of folklore.

Given how rare it is to see them, it's really no surprise that these fish are more of a thing of folklore.

Given how rare it is to see them, it's really no surprise that these fish are more of a thing of folklore.

Well, occasionally in history, some Japanese media has linked deep sea fish, like the oarfish, with earthquakes as bad omens that warn people an earthquake is coming within the next several weeks.

Well, occasionally in history, some Japanese media has linked deep sea fish, like the oarfish, with earthquakes as bad omens that warn people an earthquake is coming within the next several weeks.

Well, occasionally in history, some Japanese media has linked deep sea fish, like the oarfish, with earthquakes as bad omens that warn people an earthquake is coming within the next several weeks.

Honestly, we're seemingly mid-mystery at this point. Scientists said that it may have to do with changes in ocean condition like the El Niño or La Niña cycle or red tides, for example. But in the meantime, it is an oarfish mystery.

Honestly, we're seemingly mid-mystery at this point. Scientists said that it may have to do with changes in ocean condition like the El Niño or La Niña cycle or red tides, for example. But in the meantime, it is an oarfish mystery.

Honestly, we're seemingly mid-mystery at this point. Scientists said that it may have to do with changes in ocean condition like the El Niño or La Niña cycle or red tides, for example. But in the meantime, it is an oarfish mystery.

This episode was produced by Rachel Carlson and Jordan Marie Smith. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez and Christopher Intagliata. Tyler Jones checked the facts. David Greenberg and Jimmy Keeley were the audio engineers. I'm Emily Kwong. And I'm Jessica Young. Thanks for listening to Shortwave, the science podcast from NPR.

This episode was produced by Rachel Carlson and Jordan Marie Smith. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez and Christopher Intagliata. Tyler Jones checked the facts. David Greenberg and Jimmy Keeley were the audio engineers. I'm Emily Kwong. And I'm Jessica Young. Thanks for listening to Shortwave, the science podcast from NPR.

This episode was produced by Rachel Carlson and Jordan Marie Smith. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez and Christopher Intagliata. Tyler Jones checked the facts. David Greenberg and Jimmy Keeley were the audio engineers. I'm Emily Kwong. And I'm Jessica Young. Thanks for listening to Shortwave, the science podcast from NPR.

Oh, I love that introduction.

Oh, I love that introduction.