Nessie (or Loch Ness Monster)

Nessie, or the Loch Ness Monster, is arguably the most famous cryptid in the world, said to inhabit the cold, murky depths of Loch Ness in Scotland. Descriptions typically involve a large creature with a long neck and one or more humps that break the water’s surface, drawing countless comparisons to plesiosaurs. Though the infamous 1934 “Surgeon’s Photograph” was later exposed as a hoax, the legend has only grown, fueled by thousands of reported sightings, sonar anomalies, and tantalizing but inconclusive underwater photos. Scientists largely attribute these to floating logs, wave effects, or large fish like sturgeon. Still, Nessie remains a beloved icon of cryptozoology and Scottish identity, blending ancient water dragon myths with modern hopes that something truly prehistoric might yet survive.