This story about a "monster" carcass has popped up on different newspaper-sites: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2016781/Couple-walking-dog-discover-30-ft-carcass-sea-creature-rotting-beach.html.
It's discussed now on different sites with speculations ranging from giant eel over gene mutation to killer- and pilote whale...
It's surely a whale of some kind either a killer or a (long-finned) pilot whale. Comparing it visually to a killer whale (http://www.dappercadaver.com/product_images/h/917/Killer-Whale_$780__44829_zoom.jpg) and a pilot whale skull (http://www.turtlejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/pw-003.jpg) I think was more likely a pilot whale (the skull is turned upside down btw) what is also the opinion of mammal curators at LNHM.
When Markus sent this in, I considered posting it for him myself, but now it is better because he shall be the one to get the credit for bringing our attention to it.
ReplyDeleteBest Wishes, Dale D.
When Markus sent this in, I considered posting it for him myself, but now it is better because he shall be the one to get the credit for bringing our attention to it.
ReplyDeleteBest Wishes, Dale D.
In the meantime some more informations have been published.
ReplyDeleteSTVAberdeenCity reports that the carcass has been found previously in May and was examined through Dr Andrew Brownlow from Scottish Agricultural College. He identified it indeed as pilot whale at least five years old. From this first examination until now the carcass has lost its lower jaw and was turned on his back.
http://local.stv.tv/aberdeen/news/263148-mystery-carcass-is-pilot-whale/