We have all heard, read, and have seen the photos of "Nessie" from time to time. That lovable and evasive creature that dwells in the depths of Loch Ness---a very long and deep sinister looking lake in Scotland. The most celebrated photos, all in black and white and frustratingly blurry, have no doubt helped the local tourist trade. But what about the creature itself? How is it we don't see him or her much? There have been countless expeditions and forays by both the serious and the curious, all wanting to take that definitive photo that will forever prove the existence of "Nessie".
I have from time to time, especially in a classroom setting if for no other reason than as an exercise in critical thinking.
Most of the answers centered around the possible origin of the creature and why it was so camera shy: "It's probably a dinosaur that didn't go extinct." or "We can't see it because it's hiding at the bottom of the lake."
They are easy enough answers. I guess anything is possible---to a point.
It has been suggested that "Nessie" is a plesiosaur. This is based on the fact the "alleged" creature has been seen perhaps half a dozen times over the many decades since those poor quality black and white photographs were taken in the 30s all sporting very long necks on half submerged bodies with very few details to help identify the elusive beasts. Plesiosaurs, according to mainstream paleontologists, are not classified as dinosaurs (odd since every animal back in the age of dinosaurs were, well, dinosaurs; even reptiles which dinosaurs imply: "Terrible Lizards"). They are what is classified as aquatic reptiles. Even had they survived the K/T extinction event 65 million years ago, they would have become extinct in any case genetically. Nothing lasts forever. There would have had to have been many such survivors---at least half a dozen or so to be viable. But that begs the point. Biologists will tell you that a species generally lasts anywhere from 5 to 10 million years before it either goes extinct (for lack of genetic reinforcement), or evolves into something else---at least that is present-day Darwinian thinking. As far as hiding in the depths of Loch Ness (the deepest is reportedly 900 feet) that would not be possible given the fact it is an aquatic reptile and needs to surface to take in air. Whales and other aquatic mammals may stay under water for hours at a time, but all eventually need to surface. Why then hasn't it, or they, been seen on a fairly routine basis?
It has been suggested that "Nessie" is a plesiosaur. This is based on the fact the "alleged" creature has been seen perhaps half a dozen times over the many decades since those poor quality black and white photographs were taken in the 30s all sporting very long necks on half submerged bodies with very few details to help identify the elusive beasts. Plesiosaurs, according to mainstream paleontologists, are not classified as dinosaurs (odd since every animal back in the age of dinosaurs were, well, dinosaurs; even reptiles which dinosaurs imply: "Terrible Lizards"). They are what is classified as aquatic reptiles. Even had they survived the K/T extinction event 65 million years ago, they would have become extinct in any case genetically. Nothing lasts forever. There would have had to have been many such survivors---at least half a dozen or so to be viable. But that begs the point. Biologists will tell you that a species generally lasts anywhere from 5 to 10 million years before it either goes extinct (for lack of genetic reinforcement), or evolves into something else---at least that is present-day Darwinian thinking. As far as hiding in the depths of Loch Ness (the deepest is reportedly 900 feet) that would not be possible given the fact it is an aquatic reptile and needs to surface to take in air. Whales and other aquatic mammals may stay under water for hours at a time, but all eventually need to surface. Why then hasn't it, or they, been seen on a fairly routine basis?
Let's try a little experiment: dump a couple fresh water dolphins in the Loch. I can bet you they'd be seen by boaters and land-lovers alike; at least long enough for you to take videos, in color of course, of their antics.
Attention teachers: Use this post to test critical thinking.
Attention teachers: Use this post to test critical thinking.
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