The Loch Ness Monster was not a whale’s penis, says the scientist who started the viral theory.
But massive genitalia belonging to the marine mammals may have inspired other ‘sea monster’ sightings.
Images of whale genitalia next to a debunked photograph supposedly showing the fabled Loch Ness Monster in 1934 made international headlines after a scientist’s tweet went viral but Professor Michael Sweet, a molecular ecologist, has since clarified that he does not believe that Nessie was in fact a male whale’s appendage.
Sweet posted a now-viral tweet on Friday, 8th April, in which the debunked 1934 photograph purporting to show Nessie was seen next to images of erect whale genitalia.
He said: “Back in day, travellers/explorers would draw what they saw. This is where many sea monster stories come from ie. tentacled and alienesque appendages emerging from the water – giving belief to something more sinister lurking beneath….however, many cases it was just whale dicks.”
After newspapers began reporting on the theory that Nessie may have been a whale’s penis, Sweet, of the University of Derby, in the United Kingdom, has now clarified that he did not believe that to be the case, but he did say that it is quite possible that other ‘sea monster’ sightings may be attributable to erect blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) phalluses spotted on the ocean’s surface.
Sweet told Live Science: “I used the image of Nessie just as an example of what people used to describe sea monsters looking like.
“There are no whales whatsoever in Loch Ness, so Nessie was a poor choice to use in this instance.”
But the scientist also said: “The tweet still stands as factual.”
He added: “Many whales’ penises (from various species) were surely mistaken by tired and half-starved sailors around the world.”
Sweet also explained that larger cetaceans occasionally poke their erect appendages out of the water.
He said: “Whales often mate in groups, so while one male is busy with the female the other male just pops his d*ck out of the water while swimming around waiting his turn.”
He added: “Everyone’s gotta have a bit of fun, right?”
