Believe it: Hundreds of New Species Found Every Year
Monday May 26, 2008 8:17 AM"Do I believe in a prehistoric reptile living in Lock Ness like something out of Jurassic Park? Of course not, that's nonsense," says cryptozoologist Jonathan Downes, "But do I think that there's a genetic anomaly in the gene pool of eels in various lakes in northern Scotland, which can cause the occasional much larger eel? Of course."
In fact, hundreds of new animals are discovered each year. This fact, largely unknown to the average person, could shed some light on the seemingly fantastical stories of Loch Ness and Bigfoot. In 2005, sea-life surveyors who hope to have a complete list of global ocean life, alive and extinct, by 2010, discovered the Yeti Crab, a white, blind, crab-like animal with long furry pincers and arms living in the Pacific Ocean. The creature did not fit into the crab or lobster categories so a new taxonomic category had to be created. During the following year, a giant lobster was discovered in the waters of the Indian Ocean off the island of Madagascar. Some of the lobsters found were around 50 years old.
More recently, a creature straight out of Vietnamese legend was discovered living in Northern Vietnam. Three years ago, a search ensued for the animal, following periodic claims that the turtle had been spotted by villagers. In April of this year, researchers announced the discovery of the Swinhoe's soft-shelled turtle — thought to be entirely extinct in the wild. This turtle, a central character in Vietnamese legend, is credited with warding off the Chinese in the 16th century. The turtle appeared in a lake west of Hanoi where it was photographed. Three exist in captivity, one in Vietnam and two in China. This particular turtle can weigh up to 300 pounds.
Other interesting animals discovered in recent years include a flying fox and the giant sea spider (measuring in at 9 to 10 inches long — ick!).
Perhaps there aren't dinosaurs living in Scotland's lakes, but maybe something is there, causing the stories to persist. Given that hundreds of new animals are discovered each year, the likelihood that people are seeing something pretty different from what we currently know to exist — is not all that impossible.
