Photo of the Loch Ness monster in a lake

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Monster Mystery

Is a creepy creature swimming in a Scottish lake?

November 20, 2023
By Rebecca Zissou

As You Read: Identify one reason people might believe in the Loch Ness monster. 

Myth or Monster?
Watch a video to learn more about legendary creatures like Nessie.

This past August, hundreds of hunters gathered in Scotland. They were searching a lake called Loch Ness for signs of a monster. It was the largest hunt of its kind in more than 50 years. 

No one knows for sure what the creature looks like. Some people say the scary beast is more than 30 feet long. But others say it doesn’t even exist. 

The hunters hoped to find answers. Would they prove the monster is real?

Hundreds of hunters gathered in Scotland this past August. They were searching a lake called Loch Ness. They were looking for signs of a monster. It was the largest hunt of its kind in more than 50 years. 

No one knows for sure what the creature looks like. Some people say the scary beast is more than 30 feet long. But others say it doesn’t even exist. 

The hunters hoped to find answers. Would they prove the monster is real?

 Keystone/Getty Images

This famous 1934 photo of the Loch Ness monster isn’t real. It shows a toy submarine with a fake monster head.

A Legend Grows 

The legend of the Loch Ness monster has been around for hundreds of years. But it really took off in 1933. That’s when a woman named Aldie Mackay said she spotted a whalelike monster in the lake. While many people didn’t believe her story, others rushed to check it out. The Loch Ness monster even got a nickname—Nessie.

Over the years, many more visitors claimed to have spotted Nessie. Some claims proved to be false. For example, a famous photo of Nessie from 1934 turned out to be a fake. (See above.) 

Still, other people swear they have taken photos that prove Nessie is real. Even though many of the photos are fuzzy, the images keep the legend of Nessie alive. 

“The more fuzzy a photograph is, the more you can speculate,” says Adrian Shine. He’s a Loch Ness expert. 

The legend of the Loch Ness monster has been around for hundreds of years. But it really took off in 1933. That’s when a woman named Aldie Mackay said she spotted a whalelike monster in the lake. Many people didn’t believe her story. But others rushed to check it out. The Loch Ness monster even got a nickname. It’s often called Nessie.

Over the years, many more visitors claimed to have spotted Nessie. Some claims proved to be false. For example, a famous photo of Nessie from 1934 turned out to be a fake. (See above.) 

Still, other people swear they have taken photos that prove Nessie is real. Many of the photos are fuzzy. But the images keep the legend of Nessie alive. 

“The more fuzzy a photograph is, the more you can speculate,” says Adrian Shine. He’s a Loch Ness expert. 

Shutterstock.com

A drawing that shows what a plesiosaur might have looked like

Looking for Proof

People have come up with several ideas about what Nessie could be. One idea is that it’s a reptile called a plesiosaur. Plesiosaurs died out 66 million years ago. Could Nessie be a relative of the plesiosaur?

Most scientists say that’s unlikely. No plesiosaur bones have been found in the lake. Plus, there aren’t enough fish in Loch Ness for a plesiosaur to eat. Without enough food, it wouldn’t be able to survive.

Shine doesn’t think people are seeing a plesiosaur. He believes they are probably looking at an animal like a large eel or waterbird.

Even without proof, excitement about the Loch Ness monster continues to grow. In fact, thousands of visitors travel to the area each year. They are drawn by the idea of Nessie. 

People have come up with several ideas about what Nessie could be. One idea is that the creature is a plesiosaur. That’s a kind of reptile. Plesiosaurs died out 66 million years ago. Could Nessie be a relative of the plesiosaur?

Most scientists say that’s unlikely. No plesiosaur bones have been found in the lake. Plus, there aren’t enough fish in Loch Ness for a plesiosaur to eat. Without enough food, it wouldn’t be able to survive.

Shine doesn’t think people are seeing a plesiosaur. He believes they are probably looking at an animal like a large eel or waterbird.

No one can be sure that the Loch Ness monster is real. Still, excitement about it continues to grow. In fact, thousands of visitors travel to the area each year. They are drawn by the idea of Nessie. 

Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

A monster hunter searches Loch Ness for signs of Nessie.

Still Searching

Last August’s hunt for Nessie was high-tech. Scientists and monster hunters used drones that can sense heat. They also used a tool called a hydrophone that detects underwater sounds. The group hoped to record Nessie’s calls.

The recent search didn’t turn up any real proof that the Loch Ness monster exists. But Nessie fans aren’t ready to give up. 

“People want to believe,” says Shine. 

Last August’s hunt for Nessie was high-tech. Scientists and monster hunters used drones that can sense heat. They also used a tool called a hydrophone. It detects underwater sounds. The group hoped to record Nessie’s calls.

The recent search didn’t turn up any real proof that the monster exists. But Nessie fans aren’t ready to give up. 

“People want to believe,” says Shine. 

Jim McMahon/Mapman®

Myth vs. Fact

A myth is a story people told long ago. It often helped explain something about the natural world. Over the years, people have told stories of mythical creatures that were likely real animals. Here are three examples.  

A myth is a story people told long ago. It often helped explain something about the natural world. Over the years, people have told stories of mythical creatures that were likely real animals. Here are three examples.  

Unicorn

Shutterstock.com

Shutterstock.com

Rhinoceros

The myth of unicorns might have come from rhinos. People who had never seen a rhino might have thought it was a horse with a horn. 

The myth of unicorns might have come from rhinos. People who had never seen a rhino might have thought it was a horse with a horn. 

Chupacabra

Shutterstock.com

Shutterstock.com

Coyote

A chupacabra is a mythical, doglike creature that is said to eat farm animals. Coyotes might have inspired this myth.

A chupacabra is a mythical, doglike creature that is said to eat farm animals. Coyotes might have inspired this myth.

Mermaid

Chris A Crumley/Alamy Stock Photo 

Shutterstock.com

Manatee

In 1493, explorer Christopher Columbus described seeing mermaids. It turns out they were really manatees. 

In 1493, explorer Christopher Columbus described seeing mermaids. It turns out they were really manatees. 

  1. Why might a fuzzy photograph make it easier to speculate about Nessie’s existence?
  2. What were the results of this summer’s search for Nessie?
  3. What does Loch Ness monster expert Adrian Shine mean when he says that “people want to believe”?
  1. Why might a fuzzy photograph make it easier to speculate about Nessie’s existence?
  2. What were the results of this summer’s search for Nessie?
  3. What does Loch Ness monster expert Adrian Shine mean when he says that “people want to believe”?
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