<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

The Loch Ness monster is a creature (or creatures) that has (or have) been reported to inhabit Loch (lake) Ness in Scotland. While there were earlier reports, the monster (or Nessie as it came to be known) became an international sensation in March 1933, when new road construction created increased visibility.

Along with Bigfoot and the abominable snowman, the Loch Ness monster has been one of the most popular creatures in cryptozoology.

There are a number of photos that are purported to contain at least partial evidence of the monster, although none of the images are regarded as conclusive evidence of the existence of the creature by more skeptical observers and researchers. There have also been several relatively recent research expeditions that have attempted to survey the Loch for signs of the creature, but efforts have been hampered by the extreme murkiness of the water, the result of runoff from the peaty soil that surrounds the Loch.

A museum contains models based on observation and speculation about the creature, enlargements of the available photographic evidence, and short films that also claim to show the monster exists on the hills above the northern shores of the Loch.

Contents 1 Signficant Sightings 2 Documentaries and Nonfiction 2.1 Books 3 Appearances in Fiction 3.1 Movies 3.2 Television 4 See Also

Signficant Sightings

April 14, 1933: Mr. and Mrs. Mackay have a sighting. This would later be reported in the Inverness Courier newspaper, creating worldwide interest in the mystery.

July 22, 1933: The Spicers see a "dragon or pre-historic animal" cross the road in front of them. This is one of the relatively few land sightings.

Documentaries and Nonfiction

Books

1934: The Loch Ness Monster and Others by Rupert T. Gould

1957: More Than a Legend by Constance Whyte

Appearances in Fiction

The Loch Ness monster has appeared in numerous works, ranging from television sitcoms to horror novels.

Movies

1934: The Secret of the Loch: The monster is described as a diplodocus, and is portrayed by an iguana.

1964: 7 Faces of Dr. Lao: The monster is kept by Dr. Lao in a small fishbowl. He explains that it expands to its full size only when out of the water.

Television

1971: Bewitched: In the episode "Samantha and the Loch Ness Monster," the monster is actually a warlock who has been enchanted by Samantha's evil twin, Serena.

1975: Doctor Who: In the story "Terror of the Zygons" (4 episodes, broadcast from August 30 to September 20), the Loch Ness Monster is actually a creature called the Skarasen, a sea monster controlled by the shapeshifter aliens known as the Zygons.

See Also

• Destination Truth

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