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What is behind the tales of some sea monsters?

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There have been many sightings of long-necked sea monsters, mostly reported by sailors. Tales of monstrous, multi-tentacled sea creatures and long-necked snakes have been told and written by sailors for centuries, and even today it is said that in parts of the world – such as Loch Ness in Scotland – there is a mysterious aquatic creature for which science has yet to find an explanation. Descriptions include a serpent or dragon with a long neck as thick as a ship’s mast and an animal that looks like a crocodile without legs. Most witnesses say the monster has a mouth full of teeth and eyes the size of a large barrel.

People have seen these creatures in ocean waters as far north as Scotland and as far south as the Azores. It appears that they prefer coastal regions; they have been spotted in the bays that lead from the Atlantic Ocean into the Mediterranean Sea, and from the Baltic Sea into the seas beyond. The sightings were recorded in different centuries by different people at sea, suggesting that the sightings are real. These monsters are easily recognizable by their long necks, which often stretch out of the water, and by their fins, which frequently keep their bodies just below the surface. The length of their necks is often given as extraordinary—the size of a horse or larger. This is an exaggeration due to perspective: these animals are surprisingly close to the water, so they look very big; they are not actually very large.

There are many theories about what lies behind the sightings of long-necked sea monsters. Some believe that these creatures could be some kind of unknown species, while others suggest that they could be a type of large fish or an undiscovered species of whale. Others think that it could just be an optical illusion caused by light reflecting off the water’s surface, or perhaps the result of sailors’ imaginations getting carried away in the vastness of the ocean.

There are also those who argue that these creatures are some kind of supernatural being, perhaps a sea god or spirit sent to protect sailors from harm. Some cultures even have ancient stories about dragons and sea serpents with tails so long they could wrap around an island. Whatever their origins may be, one thing remains certain: these mysterious creatures continue to fascinate us and capture our imaginations.

Whatever their origin, it appears that these mythical creatures have captivated humanity for centuries and continue to fascinate us today. Perhaps one day we will find out exactly what these mysterious creatures are and why they appear in our oceans and seas. Until then, all we can do is speculate about their identity and admire them from afar.
 Some believe that these sightings are caused by giant eels, while others contend that they are a type of dinosaur or other prehistoric creature that has survived in the depths of the ocean. Others still suggest that what is seen is a figment of imagination, created by strong currents and waves.

But are these sightings really what they seem?

According to biologist Michael Sweet from the University of Derby in England, believes the sightings of long-necked and tentacled sea monsters can be explained by something more commonplace – the genitals of whales. Incredibly, this theory may indeed explain at least some sightings, although only in places frequented by whales (which certainly excludes the Loch Ness area).

In the open ocean, however, the theory has some plausibility. But an experienced sailor should know the difference between a giant sea monster and a male limb of a whale sticking out of the water, right?

Well, it’s not that simple. It turns out that the whale’s penis and testicles can look remarkably like a long-necked sea monster when viewed from a distance. In fact, they can look like giant snake-like creatures with tentacles and massive eyes.

The genitals of whales aren’t just large – they’re also surprisingly agile. They have been known to extend up to 10 feet in length, move around rapidly and even leap out of the water for short periods of time, all while looking quite serpentine!
And if you happen to be on a boat at night – when the light is low and visibility is poor – it’s no wonder why sailors may mistake these organs for an actual sea monster.

So while we can never know for certain what lurks beneath the waves, it seems likely that some sightings of long-necked sea monsters could be attributed to these extraordinary whale appendages. Of course, this doesn’t mean that all sightings of these mysterious creatures can be explained away so easily. Some may indeed be the result of superstitious sailors or wishful thinking. But others still remain a mystery and could very well be something completely unknown to science.

Whatever the truth may be, one thing is certain: as long as humans are around, stories and legends about mysterious sea creatures will continue to captivate us and spark our imaginations. We may never know the truth behind them, but it’s clear that tales of sea monsters have been a part of our culture for centuries – and will likely remain so for many more.

Photo: Vlad Min / Pixabay