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Plesiosaurs are an order of extinct marine reptiles. Appearing about 230 million years ago, these huge but agile aquatic dinosaurs were especially common during the Jurassic period.
English fossil collector Mary Anning (1799–1847) made a remarkable discovery in 1826: the near-complete fossilized skeletons of two plesiosaur skeletons—the first ever found! Pictured is the note book in which she recorded the priceless finds.
One of the plesiosaur skeletons uncovered by Mary Anning is on permanent display at the Natural History Museum in London.
The fossils were unearthed in Morocco's Sahara Desert. The fact that they were found in an ancient river system indicates that the reptiles may have lived in freshwater environments and not just seawater, as previously believed.
The incredible find has led British scientists to conclude that the past existence of a Loch Ness monster is "plausible."
Plesiosaurs would have been fearsome in appearance. An apex predator, they were fast hunters of large prey in the oceans of the world. But they were never considered a freshwater species. Until now.
The fossils discovered in North Africa have scientists revisiting the idea that a 'monster' could have lived in freshwater Loch Ness in Scotland.
Loch Ness is situated in the Scottish Highlands, south west of Inverness. An expansive body of water, the loch is around 37 km (23 mi) long, its deepest point being 230 m (755 ft). Reports of a monster prowling the depths date back to ancient times and the folklore associated with the Pict peoples.
The remains discovered in Morocco are baffling experts. The valuable haul consists of bones and teeth from 3-m (10-ft) long adults and an arm bone from a 1.5-m (5-ft) long baby. But scientists cannot explain why they were found on the Cretaceous age riverbed.
Given the evidence from the Sahara, paleontologists now believe some species traditionally thought to be sea creatures may have lived in freshwater, the possibility being that plesiosaurs were able to tolerate both fresh and salt water.
The loch was formed during glacial processes in the Great Glen more than 10,000 years ago, towards the end of the last Ice Age. The Great Glen fault itself was formed about 400 million years ago.
In fact, researchers hint that the plesiosaur lived and fed in freshwater, alongside frogs, crocodiles, turtles, fish, and other aquatic dinosaurs.
Ceratosaurus was a carnivorous theropod dinosaur of the Jurassic period most notable for the horns on its snout over its eyes. Here, one is depicted wading in a river while hunting aquatic prey such as fish.
Spinosaurus lived in what is now North Africa some 99 million years ago. A huge terrestrial carnivore but also semiaquatic, Spinosaurus would supplement its diet by diving into the shallows to snatch fish and other sea life.
Originating from the Triassic period, Nothosaurus was a swimming reptile who lived on a diet of fish and squid. After catching its prey underwater, Nothosaurus would emerge from the depths to feed on rocks and beaches.
While scientists maintain that it's "plausible" plesiosaurs could have lived in freshwater, could one have actually survived in Loch Ness?
On May 2, 1933, the Inverness Courier published a story about a couple allegedly sighting "an enormous animal rolling and plunging on the surface" of the loch. But it was the photograph supposedly taken by Robert Kenneth Wilson and published in the Daily Mail on April 21, 1934 that captured the imagination of the public. It remains the most iconic image of the so-called Loch Ness monster.
In the 1870s and 1880s, various sightings of an object "wriggling and churning up the water" and that of "a large stubby-legged animal" surfacing from the loch largely fell on deaf ears. But in 1933, the Loch Ness monster's legend began to grow.
The mysterious creature was soon nicknamed "Nessie," and everybody wanted a glimpse of her. In this 1954 image, Urquhart Castle provides perspective as the monster is purportedly caught swimming past the historic landmark.
As her fame grew, Nessie became somewhat of a celebrity. Here, pictured in 1969, is a member of the Loch Ness Monster Investigation Team keeping watch on the surface of Loch Ness for any signs of life.
Also in 1969, American Dan Scott Taylor, Jr., in a one man yellow submarine that he built himself named the Viperfish, made a number of dives to the bottom of Loch Ness in an attempt to identify what apparently lurked below. He came up empty-handed.
Here's real-life scientist Thayne Smith Lowrance pictured in 1999 with a sonar device during one of his many attempts to find the legendary creature. But Nessie proved as allusive as ever.
In 2019, it was announced that Nessie could be a giant eel. Investigations into the environmental DNA present in Loch Ness suggested a very significant amount of eel DNA, reported University of Otago geneticist, Professor Neil Gemmell (pictured). But no evidence of a monster was found.
In 2016, Nessie was found. Well, actually, it was the remains of a model of the Loch Ness Monster, from the 1970 film 'The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes,' discovered on the loch bed by an underwater robot submersible operated by engineer John Haig (pictured).
The family drama 'Loch Ness' starring starring Ted Danson and Joely Richardson is based around a scientist, Dr. Jonathan Dempsey (Danson), attempting to prove the existence of the monster.
The early 1930s saw Nessiemania sweep across Great Britain. In this 1933 image, a model of the Loch Ness Monster is being taken by trailer to Bertram Mills Circus at Olympia in London for the Christmas season.
Visitors to Loch Ness disappointed by a Nessie no-show can at least take in the novel Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition at Drumnadrochit. And hey, you do actually catch 'glimpses' of the fabled creature. And she's even posing for photographs!
Sources: (Newsweek) (Cretaceous Research) (BBC) (The Independent) (The Guardian)
See also: Is Nessie real? Dive into the Loch Ness Monster mystery
The theory is somewhat dampened by the fact that plesiosaurs died out along with the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. But because of the fossil find in Africa, "Nessie" has suddenly resurfaced.
The recent discovery by a group of researchers of the fossilized remains of small, long-necked marine reptiles known as plesiosaurs in a 100 million-year-old river system in the Sahara Desert has once again fueled speculation that the Loch Ness monster is more than just a fanciful legend.
The existence of the Loch Ness monster is "plausible." So claim a team of scientists after unearthing the fossilized bones of plesiosaurs (long-necked marine reptiles from the age of the dinosaurs) from a dried-up riverbed in Africa. Plesiosaurs resemble the fabled "Nessie," but until now were thought to be exclusively saltwater creatures. The remarkable discovery lends weight to the theory that a plesiosaur could have survived in the Scottish loch. So, does Nessie exist after all?
Two research groups are joining forces to find out. The Loch Ness Centre in Drumnadrochit is teaming up with the Loch Ness Exploration group to carry out the largest search that has taken place at the famous lake since the early 1970s. The two-day search will take place on August 26 and 27, and will include the use of drones, infrared cameras, and hydrophones, among other devices. The organizations are calling for any available "monster hunters" to volunteer and join in the search!
In the meantime, click through and take an in-depth look at how the Loch Ness legend has resurfaced.
Is the Loch Ness Monster real?
Researchers are preparing for the largest search in decades - and they're looking for volunteers!
LIFESTYLE Monsters
The existence of the Loch Ness monster is "plausible." So claim a team of scientists after unearthing the fossilized bones of plesiosaurs (long-necked marine reptiles from the age of the dinosaurs) from a dried-up riverbed in Africa. Plesiosaurs resemble the fabled "Nessie," but until now were thought to be exclusively saltwater creatures. The remarkable discovery lends weight to the theory that a plesiosaur could have survived in the Scottish loch. So, does Nessie exist after all?
Two research groups are joining forces to find out. The Loch Ness Centre in Drumnadrochit is teaming up with the Loch Ness Exploration group to carry out the largest search that has taken place at the famous lake since the early 1970s. The two-day search will take place on August 26 and 27, and will include the use of drones, infrared cameras, and hydrophones, among other devices. The organizations are calling for any available "monster hunters" to volunteer and join in the search!
In the meantime, click through and take an in-depth look at how the Loch Ness legend has resurfaced.