by Laureen Manera

Created on: July 07, 2008

Is it possible that a large prehistoric creature thought to be long extinct is in fact still living in remote parts of our planet? This idea certainly captures our imaginations and those of cryptozoologists everywhere. And of course, where would so many low-budget horror and sci-fi films get their cheap thrills without some unidentified monster trudging up from the slimy depths to terrorize the townsfolk?

The Megalodon shark (Carcharodon megalodon) is certainly a good candidate for such a movie. It is far from mythical, however. These terrifyingly-impressive 40-50 foot long versions of the White Shark did in fact once lurk in the waters of the distant past.

It is believed that these very real monsters became extinct sometime in the mid-to late Pliocene era. That is probably a good thing. Otherwise I doubt many people would care to risk a salt-water swim.

But is there any chance at all that this beast is still alive? Not likely. However, there have been a few reported sightings of huge sharks by reputable witnesses. Many of these people were quite familiar with the sea and its creatures, including the common species of shark. One of these witnesses was none other than the famous author of Western novels, Zane Grey, in the late 1920s.

Everyone who reported a sighting has insisted that the shark they saw was much, much longer and larger than anything known to science. Often they are described as being 'as big as a boat' or even bigger.

The possibility that the Megalodon survives is unlikely, but not altogether impossible. For centuries, people have told of sea serpents and monsters of the deep. Most are probably little more than the overactive imaginations of seamen mixed with too much alcohol. Some, however- such as the giant squid, once thought to be a myth- have been confirmed as real, living animals.

Many locations around the globe have their own resident water-monster. The most famous of course is the Loch Ness Monster, 'Nessie', of Scotland. But other similar creatures (many with similarly cute names given to them by the locals: Champ, Caddy, Bessie, Ogopogo, etc.) have been seen even by credible witnesses including members of the clergy and the police force.

Suggestions have been made that these creatures, if they do exist, are a type of plesiosaur- a kind of marine dinosaur. The likelihood that any are still around is hard to believe, but with so many reported sighting from so many reputable sources, we have to at least consider the possibility. After all, the

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