Could a long necked pinniped exist?

Whether you are a fan of the theory or not, the idea that a pinniped species (seal, sea lion or fur seal) could have evolved a long neck and be responsible for many sightings of lake monsters and sea serpents, is an attractive alternative to a surviving plesiosaur.

 Theoretical North Atlantic Otariid ( Copyright Cornes based on

Steller Sea Lion photo by Doug Forsell)

However from its inception by Oudemans, to its refashioning by Heuvelmans and subsequent reinvention by Costello the mechanics of its morphology have changed dramatically. From a leviathan pinniped with a tail envisioned by Ouedemans approaching the size of a blue whale, to the smaller long neck and merhorse of Heuvelmans, as well as the much more modest size of 30ft suggested by Costello. Yet despite these common sense revisions no such conspicuous animal has been discovered or documented by science making its elusiveness suspicious.

Leopard seal (charlieishere)

In more modern times the theory has been strengthened by the historical account of a long necked pinniped catalogued by Grew and Parsons (see Parson Seal) and the paleontological discovery of two archaic true seals or phocidae; Acrophoca longirostris and Piscophoca Pacifica which appear to have evolved a minor lengthening of their cervical vertebrae. The possibility that new pinniped species await discovery has also been suggested in an innovative scientific research paper by Naish et al.

  Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19181017-37-1

This has created a bit of a cryptozoological conundrum. On the one hand there are historical reports of sea serpents and lake monsters with very pinniped-like features, from the bunyip of Australia, the horse eels of Connemara, the nykur and Skrimsl of Iceland and Pal Rai Yuk of Alaska. The Mackintosh Bell and Filey sightings, the mysterious denizens of Lake Storsjo and Loch Ness among others.

On the other hand there is a complete lack of physical evidence for such cosmopolitan animals.

So could they exist? Well maybe in theoretical terms yes, possibly!

Although we have uncovered many historical inaccuracies and alternative explanations for some of the strongest historical evidence we have also found tantalising evidence that seems to support the idea albeit with some caveats. If such an animal does exist it is unlikely to be that different from extant species, most probably a novel species of sea lion or fur seal or perhaps even a hybrid form. Predatory and environmental factors could have theoretically caused a shift in morphology and a sea lion or fur seal in the North Atlantic where there has never been such a species might certainly explain some of the historical evidence.

 Hypothesis

A previously unidentified sea lion or fur seal colonised the North Atlantic. Alternatively an extant species became displaced, possibly due to some past climatic or ecological catastrophe (there have been a few). Finding itself in competition with already existing indigenous species it adapted its lifestyle; foraging inland following spawning fish or fish runs and perhaps using lakes to exploit food resources all of which are current traits of extant pinnipeds to a certain degree. The development of a more elongated neck would allow easier predation and this could have occurred quite quickly if we allow for hyperspeed evolution.

In addition a sea lion or fur seal would have visible external ears (which might look like horns), the male would have a mane, which on a longer neck may be more prominent and such an animal inhabiting the North Atlantic for a few thousand years might also share similarities with the water horse of Northern Europe.

To be continued....

Sea lions on a beach (Paul Chinn)

Recuento de mamífero en la Península Potter (Armando C. L. Genta), Wikimedia

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