Science

Are Nessie & the Alaskan Lake Monster ‘Illie’ Sleeper Sharks? Scientist Seeks Them Out

Biologists think there may be a perfectly reasonable explanation for what some are describing as Alaska’s version of the Loch Ness monster. In the depths of Lake Iliamna is a beast so elusive that the Anchorage Daily News offered a $100,000 reward for evidence of it in 1979, according to the Huffington Post, and let’s just say no one has claimed the winnings yet.

Even though no one has hard, physical proof — aside from sightings of objects in the lake seen from pilots flying above and locals reportedly seeing it break the surface — scientists have a guess as to what it could be and also believe this hypothesis could shed light as to what could be lurking in Lake Loch Ness. Bruce Wright with the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association writes in the Alaska Dispatch he thinks it may be a sleeper shark:

Sleeper sharks can exceed 20 feet and weigh upwards of 4 tons. Sleeper sharks probably use rivers and lakes to find food, and there is an abundance of salmon and other fish in Loch Ness and Lake Iliamna.

Sightings are often consistent with descriptions of sleeper sharks in that the monsters’ shape and colors usually match that of sleeper sharks. Salmon and lots of other prey species have been found in sleeper sharks’ stomachs.

As much as we know about sleeper sharks, there are still plenty of unknowns:

  • How long can sleeper sharks cope with freshwater? Can they spend months in rivers and lakes?
  • Do they ever over-winter in freshwater?
  • What is the timing of their movements in and out of freshwater?
Scientist Believes Loch Ness and Alaskan Lake Monsters Could Be Sleeper Sharks

Bruce Wright with a sleeper shark. (Photo: Bruce Wright via the Alaska Dispatch)

Wright hopes to figure out some of these unknowns and plans to lead an expedition this year where he will attempt to capture and tag sleeper sharks in Lake Iliamna. If he is successful, he will employ the same system at Lake Loch Ness.

Discovery News considers the freshwater habitat for a traditionally saltwater shark an obstacle to Wright’s theory. It also notes there are no known species of sleeper sharks that can live in freshwater for any length of time and doesn’t believe the descriptions of Nessie or Illie are similar to that of a sleeper shark, given that Nessie has been described as looking more like an extinct dinosaur with a long neck.

Here’s a YouTube video showing underwater video footage of a sleeper shark (via the Huffington Post):

Comments (41)

  • AuraStream
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 10:30am

    I wonder if they started drilling for oil there….

    Report Post » AuraStream  
  • Clmsadjman
    Posted on May 9, 2012 at 6:40pm

    Nessie is BS Loch Ness was covered in ice 10 thousand years ago so no dino could survive there its probably a big ass sturgin that people seeing.

    Report Post »  
  • Texas Chris
    Posted on May 9, 2012 at 11:22am

    I thought Loch Ness Monster was proven to be a circuis elephant swimming in the lake…?

    Report Post »  
  • single stack
    Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:06am

    It isn’t “lake Loch Ness”. “Loch” is Scottish for “lake”.

    Report Post »  
    • Rowgue
      Posted on May 9, 2012 at 3:17pm

      LOL.

      I don’t get as upset as some people seem to over some of the errors they make in articles. But this one struck me as exceedingly stupid.

      Report Post »  
  • Salamander
    Posted on May 9, 2012 at 1:39am

    I wonder if sleeper sharks fart and pollute the oceans to extinction, like their dinosaur counterparts! Does anyone (other than Al Gore) really believe that the dinosaurs farted their way to global warming and extinction? I thought they died off because of colder climate? Maybe they farted Freon and froze to death? I mean, really, it COULD have happened, couldn’t it?

    Report Post »  
  • FeNeTiC
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 9:14pm

    Sleeper shark, fresh water giant eels..anything but a dinosaur, sounds legit to me!

    Report Post »  
  • Donttredonme
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 7:29pm

    Who ever put up that Dinosaurs and how they fit into Creationism need to get off the internet and go back to school haha

    Report Post » Donttredonme  
  • Small World
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 6:33pm

    @MUDDYWOOD you really know your Bible.

    Report Post »  
  • hayesstephen
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 6:12pm

    Hey saintzofak try this on for size. It takes one to know one. My replay is as intelligent as your remarks to rasberry. Lighten up a little. Quit being a jackass.

    Report Post »  
  • KingDork
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 5:23pm

    *tries to avoid making a joke about the 1st lady…*

    Report Post » KingDork  
  • Rasberry
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:23pm

    usually these “SCIENTISTS” are FULL of it but if their are proving GOD’S work with this…. then i say well done……

    Report Post »  
    • UseReasonNotMagic
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:54pm

      Wow, This is an Obvious Troll…I hope at least…and for you out of the loop folks, a troll is someone who says things they dont believe just to get a rise out of people..

      If you are not a troll than you are probably just really old and irrelevant in today’s world…you might want to learn something, change your views a bit, or just give up and leave the internet…its not for you…we are a network of learned people.

      Report Post »  
    • DoomsdayProphet
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 5:24pm

      @usereasonnotmagic pretty sure you are the one trolling. Thanks. This is a Christian news sight, run by a Christian. Obviously they do not teach you things at mediamatters or where ever you come from.

      Report Post »  
    • cuinsong
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 5:32pm

      No! I don’t think so. Looks like a shark to me not a Loch Ness Monster!
      Nice try but no reward money for you!

      Report Post » cuinsong  
    • hayesstephen
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 6:02pm

      Hey usereasonotmagic. What a nasty little know nothing you are. Mean,small minded, not very bright and those are your good points. Gee people most break down your door wanting to talk and be around you.

      Report Post »  
  • Rasberry
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:21pm

    if these “creatures” are NOT in the BIBLE then they CANNOT exist…. i think that solves THAT one……….

    Report Post »  
    • Muddywood
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:29pm

      Look up “behemoth” and “leviathan” in your Bible.
      What are they describing?

      Report Post » Muddywood  
    • SaintzOfAk
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 5:03pm

      Rasberry….your an idiot!

      Report Post » SaintzOfAk  
    • FatFreedom
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 5:07pm

      RASBERRY

      This is a must see video. It is a Christians Theory how Dinosaurs fit in with six day creation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsQIF7Yh3hI

      Report Post »  
    • SaintzOfAk
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 5:08pm

      Rasberry…you sir are a J A C K A S S!

      Report Post » SaintzOfAk  
    • hayesstephen
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 6:07pm

      Rasberry there are many animals that are not in the Bible. That fact does not lessen the truth of God’s word. Everything seen and unseen, all that has been and is, was created by our God. Never fear Brother/Sister our God will prevail, although we are going to be facing hard times because of our faith.

      Report Post »  
    • Gumbercules
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 7:55pm

      @Raspberry

      I personally apologize for the above comments, for these inocent individuals did not detect your humor. I for one enjoyed your joke. Keep it up!

      Report Post » Gumbercules  
    • MrObvious
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 9:28pm

      I don‘t recall seeing Obama’s name in the bible.
      Does that mean he doesn’t really exist? :)
      The last 3.5 years have all been nothing more than a cruel joke? :)
      lol :/

      Report Post »  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:15pm

    Hey, are they drilling for oil OFFSHORE in BRAZIL? Is that where the US tax money went to INVEST in oil?

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
    • felix
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:35pm

      you are correct sir – our dear dicktator gave brazil 20 billion for drilling – i bet his parents are sooo proud !!

      Report Post »  
    • Tom K
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:51pm

      @ EQUALJUSTICE : Isn’t that Brazilian deep water clear ! Looks like our borrowed Chinese money we gave to Brazil resulted in some top notch equipment. Too bad we didn’t spend that Billion Bucks in the GULF of MEXICO ! Anyone BUT Obama in November !

      Report Post »  
    • MrObvious
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 9:22pm

      Good old Gorge Soros made a bundle on the deal; and, probably is still profiting off it.
      He basically told O to stop the drilling; and, O stopped the drilling, even after the courts told him not to.
      Anyone interested should look up graft in the dictionary, ignoring the biologic definitions of course.
      Why is it the biggest crooks never seem to go to jail for it?

      Report Post »  
  • Teabunny
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:07pm

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knvbeBUkGl8&feature=fvwp

    Report Post » Teabunny  
  • Teabunny
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:05pm

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j48Mvw8V0qc

    Report Post » Teabunny  
  • pap pap
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 3:57pm

    It just looks like a big fat lazy shark.

    Report Post »  
    • NLN
      Posted on May 9, 2012 at 12:51am

      It “does” look like michael moore.

      Report Post »  
  • monkeyoffmyback
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 3:56pm

    Anybody know where Michelle’s vacationing THIS week——–Maybe The Great White North?

    Report Post » monkeyoffmyback  
  • Rayblue
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 3:16pm

    It’s Jingles.
    Mr. Peppermint radioactively mutated him to destroy the world when Icky Twerps Slam Bang Theater was cancelled. Along with Fractured Flickers and a Day with Doodles.

    Report Post » Rayblue  
  • moussiagilda
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 2:51pm

    Is Paul Ryan a “sleeper” candidate? That was almost relevant, wasn’t it?

    The poor intern doctors here. Jig’s up. They are trying to be very nice, reasonable, and rational, and darn it, they just have to be Goebbels, and it’s uncomfortable. It gives them serious indigestion. And how can you add to the level of stress in their busy, involved, crucially engaged daily lives.

    You know I’m having the greatest time.

    No medication. Only the crack, heroin, and poisons, which I am oddly immune to, that they decide to give me. Jig’s up.

    This may reflect badly on the UW.

    These new employees are from the AFGE. American Federation of Government Employees. Oooh. Federation.

    Since we don’t die, this is all harmless. Especially what I’m doing.

    I have changed the spelling of my first name from Anne to Ann, since that’s the spelling they put on my bracelet, and that‘s how it’s spelled in the birth certificate.

    Just might be time to move up a heaven level. Like you’re doing, Beck. The same way. By dying without dying.

    Report Post »  
  • moussiagilda
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 2:40pm

    “Should Mitt choose Newt for VP?” Mine arse. Mine arse.

    This is nothing but a very ineffective, lame concentration camp filled with idiots. I bet anything that I’ll never see Dr. Charlotte Ladd again.

    Report Post »  
    • Mark0331
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 2:50pm

      Sooooo, you reside at the Wisconsin Psychiatric Institute, located at 60001 Research Parks Boulevard,Madison Wisconsin….interesting, tell ITSJUSTTIM we miss him here at THE BLAZE…enjoy your stay.

      Report Post » Mark0331  
    • qpwillie
      Posted on May 8, 2012 at 2:52pm

      @moussiagilda
      Your commentary on Sleeper sharks is a bit vague. Can you elaborate?

      Report Post » qpwillie  
  • MittensKittens
    Posted on May 8, 2012 at 2:26pm

    They are as elusive as this so called economic recovery…

    Report Post » MittensKittens  

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