The majority of the land mass on the planet Earth has been populated. However, nearly 71 percent of our planet is covered with water, and our knowledge of the large oceans is scarce. On an annual basis, new species are discovered from the depths of the sea, and more and more information can be gleaned from diving into the deep seas. From weird and unique microbes that can live in practically no light to fish that have their own personal lanterns, these are just a few of the creatures that have been discovered in recent years.
So when a ‘sea monster’ surfaced on the shore of an Indonesian island, it definitely caught the attention of the world. Up until recently, no one knew what it was, and many speculated that it was a new species or a giant squid. Now, thanks to the scientific first responders at the scene, we’re closer to discovering what it actually is.
Read on to find out more about this weird yet terrifying beast.
The monster was allegedly discovered by a 37-year-old local named Asrul Tuanakota. The giant animal was found off the coastline of Hulung Beach on the Indonesian Seram Island.
The ‘monster’ was so large that Arul originally thought it was a grounded boat that was stranded near the coastline.
But upon closer inspection, the only thing about the beast that resembled a ship was its size.
At the time of its discovery, it was already decomposing. Some theorists and biologists began speculating how long it had been there, what caused its death, and what it truly was.
Some argue that it is the remnant of a giant squid, maybe a prehistoric ancestor that isn’t fully extinct, or some sort of aquatic beast that humans have not yet identified.
After nearly three days of disintegration, marine biologists and scientists still could not conclusively deduce what animal this carcass belonged to.
They have since taken more samples from the animal in order to accurately identify its species. However, reports have indicated that the carcass is so far deteriorated that it is hard to concretely and accurately decipher what animal it is (if it is an animal.)
According to the chief executive of the Ocean Research and Conservation Association, it has been determined that the ‘monster’ is most likely a whale.
Researchers have concluded that the whale could have died as recently as several weeks ago or as far back as a couple of months ago.
This would explain the extensive deterioration process that the whale had gone through, making it nearly unrecognizable. (I wonder how the residents in the surrounding area felt about the stench.)
Furthermore, the gasses that are released from the carcass of the giant being would also render the cadaver unrecognizable.
Edith Widder, an American oceanographer and marine biologist, stated that the large animal is most likely a baleen whale and not a giant squid or some sort of Kraken.
Further cementing this hypothesis is George Leonard, who is the Chief Scientist at the Ocean Observatory.
He stated that: ‘trying to identify huge ocean creatures half a [world] away from a grainy video is tough to do.’ It certainly doesn’t help that people have been coming up with all sorts of wild theories as to what it might be.
He continued on by saying: ‘But once people start sharing specific information that begins to narrow in on defining characteristics of the creature, the identity begins to come into focus.’
It is quite common for dead whales to wash up ashore only so long as sharks and other predators haven’t already gotten to the carcass. Now we just have to keep on waiting in order for a real-life sea monster to float onto a beach near you!
