If you’re out boating somewhere like McGee Creek Reservoir you may notice these strange jelly-like balls hanging from submerged tree limbs. These are Bryozoans, and they’ll likely show up in large numbers this summer. Don’t be alarmed these microorganisms are native and are of no danger to you or wildlife. In fact, they are an indicator of good environmental quality and clear water! Individuals called “zooids” continually clone themselves until they create a large mass where they filter tiny particles out of the water for food. What makes them look and feel like jelly? Well, that is a soft shell made of a substance called chitin that can harden when dried up to preserve the organism until rehydrated. These animals are an important part of the ecosystem because they help clean the water and serve as prey for mussels, snails, and even small fish. They often spread through water connectivity or even by passing through the intestinal tract of fish or birds!