The Loch Ness Monster has had babies, and the little beasts are likely to be "braver" than their mum, experts claim. A drop in sightings had some spotters fearing the worst, but now it's believed the waters could be filled with more monsters than ever.
Nessie's Quiet Year Explained
Rob Long, from the Loch Ness Exploration crew, said: "Nessie is there, we all know it, but she had clearly getting wise to people looking for her. But even though she isn't breaking the surface as much, it is clear she is still very much treating the area as home, and now we think we know why she has been more quiet than in previous years."
There have been seven sightings recorded so far this year - the most recent on July 5 when eight-year-old Abigail Ross and her family claim they spotted a small dark object approximately 6 foot in length and 3 foot in height in the distance.
Sonar Evidence and Sightings
The Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register said the sonar soundings were "among the best evidence of Nessie and that is where future deep down research should be concentrated" in recent years, but things have been quieter than usual over the past year.
Rob continued: "We believe Nessie stays very very deep, hidden among the caves, and only showing her head on very few occasions. But it would make sense if she has had babies, she has been quieter than usual in the last year, and she has probably been keeping her babies safe, but sightings are back up again in recent weeks."
Smaller Objects Spotted
Sightings in recent months have reported smaller objects and shapes than what we usually get, so it has led up to wonder if she may have had some babies. "It is likely these little beasts will be braver than mum. They have no fear just yet and will be learning the ropes. Could 2026 be the year we finally get definitive proof she is there?"
The official register has now logged 1173 sightings - including webcam images - from records and other evidence stretching back through the centuries.
Previous Juvenile Nessie Sighting
It is not the first time experts have speculated about Nessie having babies. Just last year, eagle-eyed watchers of the mythical waters claim a "juvenile nessie" was spotted breaking the surface on more than one occasion.
Loch Ness Monster hunter Eoin O'Faodhagain, 60, who was watching the Visit Inverness Loch Ness-maintained feed in May last year, was certain she had seen a mini version of the beast break the waters. She said: "As I was watching, I noticed a large disturbance in the tranquil waters of Loch Ness, less than 100 feet from the Clansman Hotel pier. A creature broke the surface and rose up a few feet out of the water, then quickly submerged into the dark depths of Loch Ness. Luckily I was already recording. It all happened so fast, but I got it recorded. I immediately thought it was Nessie because it was too large to be anything else. Certainly it has no resemblance to an otter or a seal, and I never saw a fish with a neck and a bumpy back. I was stunned, overjoyed that at last, I might have a clear image of the Loch Ness Monster. Looking at the screenshot afterwards, it fit the uncanny classic description of Nessie, given by many eyewitnesses over the years. It is a juvenile Nessie, playing with its prey - the fish - before it devours it. If what I noted is correct, then it is the first time on live camera that we see Nessie hunting its fish prey."
