When a team of beach cleaners visited the Danish island of Bornholm for a routine trash-picking routine, there was no sign of the astonishing discovery they were about to make. What initially appeared to be a giant sea serpent turned out to be something much more surprising. This unusual news item immediately attracted the attention of local experts, relaunching certain hypotheses on maritime legends and the origin of myths of deep-sea creatures.
An unexpected discovery on Bornholm beach
On the island of Bornholm in southern Denmark, beach cleaners often find marine litter. Plastics, pieces of stranded ships, these objects are usual for them. But, during a recent operation at Dueodde beach, a surprising discovery took place. They found what looked like a sea serpent. This object, measuring around 1.5 meters, seemed to come straight from a legend.
Faced with this unusual find, the cleaners reacted quickly. They contacted NaturBornholm, a local conservation organization, for an explanation.
After examination, the NaturBornholm team confirmed that it was not a snake, but a whale's reproductive organ. In fact, this penis belonged to a young humpback whale which had washed up a few months earlier on this same beach.
The penises of the North Atlantic right whale and (Pacific) gray whale can be at least 1.8 meters long, and 1.7 meters long respectively, and could be taken by a naïve witness for a tail.” pic.twitter.com/uaD3tBOK7h
— James Felton (@JimMFelton) April 7, 2021
Whales and sea myths
This discovery captivated attention, both for its unusual nature and for its possible links with marine stories. For centuries, sea serpents have featured in maritime mythology. Zoologists, like Dr Darren Naish, relayed by IFLScience, have suggested a surprising explanation. They believe that some sightings of whale penises on the water's surface may have inspired these legends.
Humpback whales, for example, are impressive creatures. Males can reach 19 meters in length and weigh more than 30 tonnes. Their reproductive organs, sometimes visible, measure up to 3 meters. Although these organs remain hidden in genital slits, they sometimes appear on the water surface.
These apparitions could have been confusing to sailors of old. The latter would have confused these shapes with gigantic creatures, thus fueling stories of sea serpents.
However, not all marine mysteries can be explained this way. As Dr. Naish pointed out, this theory does not cover all cases, and not all legendary sightings such as those of the Loch Ness Monster can be attributed to whale body parts.
Conservation of whale penis for scientific research
Although this discovery may seem amusing or surprising to the uninitiated, it is of great importance to researchers. The discovered organ will be preserved and frozen to be studied in more detail by experts in marine biology. More in-depth analyzes will be conducted to better understand the physiology of humpback whales and their behavior.
This discovery also offers a new opportunity to study stranded whales, a relatively common phenomenon in some regions. The researchers hope that this analysis can provide new information on the reproductive behaviors of these sea giants, which are still poorly documented.
What appeared to be a sea serpent turned out to be a rare scientific discovery. This event brings new perspectives on the possible origins of certain marine legends. For the NaturBornholm team of cleaners and researchers, this episode will remain unforgettable.
With an unwavering passion for local news, Christopher leads our editorial team with integrity and dedication. With over 20 years’ experience, he is the backbone of Wouldsayso, ensuring that we stay true to our mission to inform.
