Montauk Monster Predated by Moscow Monster

Two Years Before Montauk Monster Washed Ashore, Moscow Monster Found on Russian Beach

Have you ever heard of the Moscow Monster? It seems that relatively few people have. But how about the Montauk Monster? That recent story and set of photos from an unknown beast that washed ashore on Sakhalin Island in Russia bears a slight resemblance to that of the story of the Montauk Monster, which washed ashore on Long Island set the blogosphere on fire a few months back. What makes the Moscow Monster so interesting is that, besides the alliteration and the same last name (and that the remains were water-damaged), the Moscow Monster predates the Montauk Monster by two years.

In early October, the Los Angeles Times reported that, back in 2006, a photo essay of a strange and unidentified carcass was posted to a blog called EnglishRussia.com. The photos show a rather long body, somewhat bloated in the center, with what appears to be the skeletal bone structure exposed in a tapering tail. The head looks to be a blunted wedge, much like that of a crocodile or alligator. However, the poster of the photos, by examining the teeth, maintains that the creature, which was found by Russian soldiers, is not a fish. "According to its skeleton -- it's not a crocodile or alligator. It has a skin with hair or fur."

So what became of the body? What else is known about the Moscow Monster? The poster cryptically wrote: "It has been said that it was taken by Russian special services for in-depth studies."

That's the way a good monster story should end. An unknown creature or entity. Shadowy government involvement. Mystery. Loose Strings. It keeps curious observers guessing. And breeds conspiracy theories.

As was and remains the case with this Summer's Montauk Monster photos and stories.

The Montauk Monster was first sighted by a group of people walking down the beach on Long Island. They took photos. Gawker.com posted the photos and the Montauk Monster became the talk of the internet. Several copycat stories surfaced but none that captured the imagination like the original Montauk Monster photos. Many animal experts explained it away as just the bloated body of a mature raccoon.