When a mysterious skeleton washed up on shore in Russia, many thought they finally had proof of sea monsters. According to a Dec. 4 report by Above Science, scientists determined the monstrous skeleton was not a fish or a crocodile, lending more credibility to the theory that the skeleton belonged to a sea monster. The identity of the creature remained unknown for eight years.
Marine scientists have recently determined that the skeleton doesn’t belong to a sea serpent or sea monster. They claim the skeleton belongs to a beluga whale. The skeleton was discovered on the beach in Sakhalin, an island located in eastern Russia near Japan by soldiers who took pictures of the skeleton. It measured more than 15 feet long and was covered with hair or fur.
Beluga whales are known to inhabit the icy waters surrounding Russia. As mammals they may also have hair when they are young, but do not have hair as adults. According to Sea World, adults typically reach lengths of about 9 feet with large males reaching lengths of just over 15 feet. In addition, beluga whales have a distinct beak and approximately 34 peg-shaped teeth lining the upper and lower jaw. While identification as beluga whale does explain many of the characteristics observed in the skeleton, some wonder why it took eight years to identify the mysterious beast.
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