ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH – Local wildlife observers confirmed Friday that a new seasonal species has returned to the shoreline: the migratory tourist tent.

The tents typically arrive around Fourth of July weekend, traveling in large family groups often alongside coolers, folding chairs, plastic shovels, Bluetooth speakers, and one sunburned dad dragging a wagon through soft sand.

Experts say the tents usually nest near the dunes before being abandoned completely.

“It’s important not to touch them,” said one local who has seen this before. “They’re waiting for a beach cleanup crew to hatch.”

Unlike sea turtles, the migratory tent shows no instinct to return to the ocean.

Instead, it remains in place until wind, shame, or a county employee finally removes it.

Researchers believe the species reproduces when one family leaves a broken canopy behind and another family sees it and thinks, “Well, I guess people do that.”

Officials are asking beachgoers to remember that if they carried it onto the beach, they can perform the ancient and mysterious second half of the ritual by carrying it back off.