The tale of a sea monster skeleton near Mallorca is a modern internet hoax. The story, which has circulated on social media platforms, claims that a massive, serpentine skeleton was discovered on a remote beach of the Spanish island. The narrative suggests that the creature’s immense size and bizarre anatomy defy all known marine biology, hinting at the existence of a prehistoric beast lurking in the Mediterranean. The story and its accompanying images were created as a part of a popular trend of modern folklore designed to go viral.

The “evidence” of the sea monster is a series of eerily realistic but fabricated images. The skeletal remains, which appear to have an elongated, reptile-like spine and a massive skull, are a sophisticated piece of digital art. Forensic analysis of the images by online skeptics and marine biologists has shown that the “skeleton” is a composite of different animal parts, likely a combination of a whale’s vertebrae, a dolphin’s ribs, and a cleverly sculpted skull. The image’s high level of detail is a testament to the power of modern software, not the existence of a mythical creature.

The hoax gained widespread traction because it tapped into the enduring human fascination with sea monsters and the mysteries of the deep. While the coastal waters of Mallorca are rich in biodiversity, they are a far cry from the mythical depths that would hide a creature of this scale. The tale of the Mallorca sea monster, like other similar hoaxes, serves as a modern cautionary tale about misinformation. It is a powerful reminder that in the digital age, a compelling fictional story, complete with a visually stunning but fake photograph, can easily be mistaken for a real archaeological or scientific discovery.