The stories of a
mysterious creature have captivated imaginations for generations. The name of
this popular mythology creature is Loch Ness, also nicknamed Nessie. In Scotland
and the rest of the world, it is unknown if this monster exists for sure, but
for generations we have still not completely explored the waters where it is
said to inhabit. Multiple photographs have been presented as the image of Nessie,
but none have been proven to be the true identity of the creature. The most
common sighting in photography resembles a dark figure with a long extending
neck breaching the surface of the water. Here is a prime example:
(Image from http://herry.me/2011/11/)
Located in the northern
highlands of the United Kingdom, Lake Loch Ness is found in Scotland and is the
largest body of fresh water by volume in the entire country. With a depth of
roughly 750 ft. and an equally large length of close to 23 miles long, it’s not
hard to imagine that such a specimen could be lurking within its vast contents.
The Encyclopedia Britannica states that, although its size is immense, it is
quite narrow and “the watershed of Loch Ness covers more than 700 square miles
(1,800 square km) and comprises several rivers, including the Oich and the
Enrick.” (Loch Ness) The surrounding areas are also noted as being full of greenery
and grasslands making for an ideal location of wildlife including many fish and
other species. This might provide the necessary resources an enormous monster
like Nessie might need in order to survive and simply exist.
(Image from http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/scotland-photos/#/loch-ness-lake_9067_600x450.jpg)
Now, what could this interesting creature actually
be if it were real and once, or still existed?
Many scientists have enlisted into the studies of
the myth, and found linking proof of other living species to identify its
specific category of animal. On a related website called Nessie land, it was
mentioned that,
“Because of the very
high peat content of the water in Loch Ness visibility is greatly restricted
and it is only possible to see through the top five feet of water. The depth of
Loch Ness is totally obscured by this colouration. However several species of
fish have been recorded in the loch, the commonest being salmon (salmo salar),
brown and sea trout (salmo trutta), eel (anguilla anguilla), charr (salvelinus
alpinus) and sturgeon (acipenser sturio). Pike, sticklebacks, perch, roach,
dace, rudd, carp and minnows can also be found. The fact that the water never
freezes no matter how hard the winter has an influence on the aquatic life
found in the loch.” (About Loch Ness)
If this visibility played a role in keeping the
tracking of Nessie a mystery, it would be more likely to say that the probability
is higher of it actually being real. There have been multiple reported sightings
since the 1930’s, and even claims to photographs being taken of its surfaced body.
None of the pictures have ever been classified as the direct proof for
identifying purposes though. So what does this all mean?
When we analyze the
suggested shapes and body structure of the creature, we find that it fits into
a specific category known as a Plesiosaur; an extinct “sea monster” that has
very little evidence to their existence. This isn’t much help to figuring out
the truth about Loch Ness. Below is a detailed skeletal figure diagram of plesiosauruses.
It closely resembles what has been speculated to be the same species as the
Scottish mythical monster.
(Image from http://www.plesiosauria.com/anatomy.php)
There are also theories that state that the lake’s mysterious
creature isn’t clearly confirmable to be one of these ancient individuals. One
reason is that the timeline of when Nessie is said to be seen is much later in
history than when Plesiosauruses were living. A supportive thought shows that
the species did have lungs and needed to surface to breathe, and that’s how it
was ever sighted; but other than a few witness descriptions, there are very few
physical proofs such as fossils.
In conclusion, the
mythological creature known as the “Loch Ness Monster” is purely a skeptical illusion
or great cultural story to captivate tourism to the Scotland’s most popular
lake. Whether the existence is proven one day or not, we will probably always
look out at the mystifying waters for answers and inspiration. Is there a
gigantic creature lurking in the vast deep, or are the stories just to intrigue
the imagination and instill fear into the eyes of our culture?
Feel free to contribute any knowledge or thoughts on
the topic, and continue to search for the truth about the mysterious giant
which has been nicknamed Nessie.
Sources including images noted here:
Works
Cited
"2011 November « herry dot me." herry dot me. Web. 15 Nov. 2012.
"About Loch
Ness - the Depth and Size of Loch Ness and Other Facts." The Loch Ness
Monster. Nessie and Loch Ness. Web. 15 Nov. 2012.
"Loch Ness
(lake, Scotland, United Kingdom) -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia." Britannica
Online Encyclopedia. Web. 15 Nov. 2012.
"Scotland
Photos -- National Geographic." Travel & Cultures -- National
Geographic. Web. 15 Nov. 2012.
"The
Plesiosaur Directory - Anatomy." The Plesiosaur Directory - Home. Web.
16 Nov. 2012.
