Jaw-dropping photo of crimson blobs uncovered in the Cairngorms sparks a frenzy online (but expert reveals it’s just red spahgnum peat moss)
- Viral image shows a sprawling carpet-like object with red strands coming from it
- It bears a resemblance to a scene from science-fiction film ‘War of the Worlds’
- It prompted bonkers claims the unidentified object could be an extra-terrestrial
- However, experts believe it could be ‘red spahgnum peat moss’
- This common species of peat moss can hold up to 26 times its weight in water
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A photo showing a carpet of pink and red blobs scattered across a Scottish mountain has left social media users convinced it is proof of an alien life form.
The image, which was taken near Loch Etchachan in the Cairngorms, shows a sprawling carpet-like object with red strands blooming from it.
The photograph was shared on Facebook, where users suggested several bonkers explanations for the unidentified object, claiming it was alien, the scene of a murder, or evidence of a unicorn carcass.
However, experts from the Scottish Wildlife Trust have confirmed to MailOnline that the crimson structure is red spahgnum peat moss.
This type of moss can hold up to 26 times its own weight in water, giving in the swollen appearance that left social media users baffled.
The sphagnum genus has approximately 380 accepted species of mosses, which are widespread in Scotland.
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A bizarre photo showing a carpet of pink and red blobs scattered across a Scottish mountain has led to speculation it could be an alien life form. However, experts have told the MailOnline it is probably a bloom of algae or red spahgnum peat moss
Helen Dow, 50, a support worker Huntly, Aberdeenshire uploaded the picture to a Facebook group called ‘Scotland from the Roadside’ that is for people to share information from around Scotland.
‘Anyone help? Spotted whilst wandering through the Cairngorms’, she wrote last Tuesday.
‘Had to zoom in for closer inspection, but still confused and somewhat perplexed.’
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The post received nearly 100 comments with some trying seriously – and some not so seriously – to guess what the object might be.
Gilbert Allsop commented: ‘Remains of a unicorn attack’
While, another Facebook users, named John Stewart, said: ‘Thur been a murder’.
Another member of the group, Lynn Valentine, said: ‘It’s an alien.’
Helen Dow, 50, a support worker Huntly, Aberdeenshire uploaded the picture to a Facebook group called ‘Scotland from the Roadside’ that is for people to share information from around Scotland
‘Anyone help? Spotted whilst wandering through the Cairngorms’, Ms Dow wrote last Tuesday
The scene bore a resemblance to a scene from 2005 American science fiction disaster film War of the Worlds (pictured)
Ian R. McSherry said: ‘Something very decomposed and partially eaten. Wouldn’t want to be drinking that water without a proper filter.’
‘I posted the picture on various pages to see if i could get some answers, it’s certainly got the folks talking’, said Ms Dow.
However, one person seemed to have a better idea of what it could be.
‘Red Spahgnum peat moss. Green Spahgnum turns white in warm conditions when all the moisture is evaporated’, wrote Facebook user Gregor Logan.
The post received nearly 100 comments with some trying seriously – and some not so seriously – to guess what the object might be. Gilbert Allsop commented: ‘Remains of a unicorn attack’ while John Stewart said: ‘Thur been a murder’
Another member of the group, Lynn Valentine, said: ‘It’s an alien’. Spahgnum peat moss can sometimes form large blanket bogs which are also known as ‘living carpets’, according to the Wildlife Trusts
A spokesperson from the Scottish Wildlife Trust confirmed this.
‘It’s hard to be certain given the quality of the image but we think this is either a bloom of algae or a patch of red sphagnum moss.’
From a distance, moss and algae look similar although they are two distinct species.
Mosses include 12,000 separate species while algae are a group of organisms.
Ian R. McSherry said: ‘Something very decomposed and partially eaten. Wouldn’t want to be drinking that water without a proper filter’
‘Red Spahgnum peat moss. Green Spahgnum turns white in warm conditions when all the moisture is evaporated’, wrote Facebook user Gregor Logan
WHAT IS RED SPAHGNUM PEAT MOSS?
Red spahgnum peat moss is a common species of moss that can hold up to 26 times its own weight in water.
The sphagnum genus has approximately 380 accepted species of mosses which are widespread in Scotland.
Spahgnum peat moss can sometimes form large blanket bogs which are also known as ‘living carpets’, according to the Wildlife Trusts.
The individual plants have a main stem and clusters of branches that ususally consist of two or three spreading branches and a couple of hanging branches.
They store water and prevent the decay of dead plant material.
Over hundreds of years this organic matter gets compressed and forms peat from the decaying moss beneath the surface of the living sphagnum.
There are at least ten species of sphagnum moss in the UK which range in colour from reds and pinks to greens.
Spahgnum peat moss can sometimes form large blanket bogs which are also known as ‘living carpets’, according to the Wildlife Trusts.
The individual plants have a main stem and clusters of branches that ususally consist of two or three spreading branches and a couple of hanging branches.
They store water and prevent the decay of dead plant material.
Over hundreds of years this organic matter gets compressed and forms peat from the decaying moss beneath the surface of the living sphagnum.
There are at least ten species of sphagnum moss in the UK which range in colour from reds and pinks to greens.
Taken from near Loch Etchachan in the Cairngorms, the picture appears to show a sprawling carpet-like object with red strands coming of it
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