A fossil expert has debunked the theory Nessie is a giant toad.
Nessie big toad theory is debunked
The mystery surrounding the Loch Ness Monster has baffled experts for years, from scientists to monster hunters, who haven’t been able to prove whether or not something resides at the bottom of Scotland’s Loch Ness.
Scientist Tyler Greenfield, who proposed in his 2007 report that Nessie was a giant toad, has deemed his own theory “implausible” after the re-emergence of a 1934 newspaper article which gained notoriety.
Back in 2005, a team from Sea Trepid Inc in USA performed an underwater survey which showed frogs or toads a couple of inches long living 325ft deep below the water surface of the huge Scottish lake.
Mr Greenfield’s assistant at the Tate Geological Museum in Casper Wyoming, said: “Out of the thousands of sightings only one matches that description.
“This sighting was reported by a driver named Duncan Macdonald in a 1934 newspaper article.
“Sometime in the 1880s Macdonald allegedly saw a frog-like creature ‘as big as a goat’ while salvaging a shipwreck in the loch.
“I suspect this story to be a hoax for several reasons. In my opinion Macdonald’s story was an attempt to sell more newspapers by taking advantage of the public’s growing interest.”
Mr Greenfield added: “There is still a lot of psychological, sociological and historical research to be done.”
Tyler wrote in his original report: “A living toad 325 feet deep at the bottom of Loch Ness.
“Has anyone ever proposed that Nessie is a giant frog? I know there are giant salamander theorists out there, so there could be giant frog theorists.
“This sighting occurred in 2005, so unfortunately this particular toad has probably died. Apparently one toad lived over 40 years, so there’s a slight chance that it’s still down there.
“Another thing I’m curious about: is this the deepest underwater record of an amphibian (not counting caves)?”