Hordes of red crabs wash up in S. Calif. (Video)

Officials on Wednesday said hundreds of thousands of tiny crabs washed up on Southern California beaches.

Scientists say that the tuna crabs, typically around three inches in length, are typically found further South in waters adjacent to Mexico. They likely made their way North as a result of unusually warm water in the Pacific Ocean, in part due to the El Niño weather pattern. Because they spend time swimming through the water, rather than on the seafloor, they’re affected by winds and currents that may push them to shore.

This isn’t the first time tuna crabs have appeared on California shores, but it’s certainly not a regular occurrence. Warm currents from the South every five years may be the cause.

Agencies/Canadajournal