Off the northwest coast of Maine is an island called Machias Seal Island. The creature appeared mostly blue; it had blue eyes, blue lips, and charcoal-colored fur. Just like any other cemetery, this one is a quiet place where people have encountered mysterious incidents beyond any explanation. 3. You will receive a verification email shortly. On Aug. 12, a woman in the town of Turner, Maine, found a strange dead animal. On the message boards at the monster-hunting Web site Cryptomundo.com, the mystery beast was a hot topic. Conspiracy theories never die.). Shoebill. Though it had four legs and resembled a dog, Michelle O'Donnell, a neighbor, was certain that the creature was not a dog. Because both the United … The Maine Monster is an object lesson in the ways that people can "create" monsters because of misperceptions or logical fallacies. And, good news! For questions, comments and inquiries please email: Enter your e-mail address for things to do, restaurants to try and much more! Finally a sample of the creature was sent to the University of Maine, where DNA analysis concluded that the animal's mother was from the Canis family. Love Maine? Until and unless it too is found, the stories and sightings will continue. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! Fish and Wildlife Service / Wikimedia Commons. If this animal had just been glimpsed as it bounded into a wooded area and not caught (or later found dead), it would remain a mystery monster to be written up in future books on the unexplained. Receive mail from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors? As this case clearly shows, just because a creature can’t be immediately identified does not mean that someone else (perhaps a zoologist, or a dog breeder) might not know exactly what the animal is. (Op-Ed), Wide-eyed prehistoric shark hid its sharpest teeth in nightmare jaws, Catch the full moon (and a penumbral eclipse) on Monday. 19. No shock here: The shoebill stork has, well ... a bill shaped like a shoe. The beast is said to attack and kill pets, especially dogs. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Here are 20 photos of wildlife in Maine that can be seen in a variety of areas. And here are a bull and cow moose together. The creature appeared mostly blue; it had blue eyes, blue lips, and charcoal-colored fur. Get more stories delivered right to your email. [MSNBC.com has a photo of the creature. We might be most famous for our moose population, it IS our state animal after all, but there are so many other wonderful species that keep animal lovers on the lookout for the next exciting photo opportunity. – Source. The world's only museum exploring the study of hidden or unknown animals such as Yetis, Bigfoot, Lake Monsters, and Sea Serpents, as well as hundreds of other yet-to-be-found animals (cryptids) is located right here in Maine. 20. Benjamin Radford is managing editor of the Skeptical Inquirer magazine and co-author of "Lake Monster Mysteries.". Many posters commented that they were baffled by all the hype the creature received; after all, it was just a dog! Thank you for signing up to Live Science. Yet this is an excellent example of a typical lake monster or Bigfoot sighting: A person sees something he or she doesn't recognize, and concludes that the animal is an unknown creature. © Makes sense considering all the Sasquatch sightings reported here. The Atlantic Puffin can be … Also of note about this amazing animal? Just about anywhere off the beaten path, you might find a moose. For years, Maine residents have reported occasional sightings of a mysterious creature with a bloodcurdling cry and glowing eyes. If you have any photos of great wildlife in our state, please share them with us in the comments or on the Only in Maine Facebook Page. Please refresh the page and try again. And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: Michelle has lived in many places, but counts Maine as one of the best. According to University of Maine scientist Irv Kornfield, the beast "has all the indicators to link it to being from Canis, a dog. Though it … The seal of Portland, Maine features a phoenix and the motto Resurgam – Latin for I will rise again because it has survived 4 major fires. New York, 2. ", Thus the matter was settled, for all but the most die-hard of believers. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! From a frog that shows off its organs to a goat that faints when scared, here are 50 unusual animals to add to your travel bucket list now. Visit our corporate site. They were reluctant to leave the spot but had t… Receive news and offers from our other brands? Sensing that she had an amazing find—perhaps even the long-sought mystery beast—she took photos of it which were published in the local newspaper and posted online. There’s a town in Maine where 83% of the population speaks French. Fish and Wildlife Service / Wikimedia Commons, You Won’t Forget Your Stay In These 10 One Of A Kind Maine Cabins, The 10 Most Incredible Natural Attractions In Maine That Everyone Should Visit, These 7 Charming Cider Mills In Maine Will Have You Longing For Fall, This Underrated Trail In Maine Leads To A Hidden Turquoise Lake, This 1-Mile Hike In Maine Leads To The Dreamiest Swimming Hole, 10 Things Mainers Will Always Be Stubborn About, Take Fisherman’s Walk Trail For An Out-Of-This-World Hike In Maine That Leads To A Fairytale Foot Bridge. And what of the "real" Maine Monster, the one with the eerie cry and glowing eyes? Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer. While flies swirled around the decaying carcass, controversy swirled around O'Donnell's photographs.