Sea Monster Washes Ashore in SC


The corpse of a bizarre-looking creature washed ashore in Folly Beach, South Carolina.  The large "sea monster" confounded residents, but a local veterinarian identified it as a rare but native fish.  Any ideas what it could be?

Dead Fish

According to, a veterinarian from the South Carolina Aquarium identified the body as that of a sturgeon.

There are several sturgeon species in North America, and all get large.  The Atlantic sturgeon is the species that is found in South Carolina waters, and they can grow to be 15 feet long and weigh 800 pounds (although more commonly they are less than ten feet long and weigh around 300 pounds).  Sturgeons have been around for over 100 million years, and individual fish can live to be over 60 years old. 

Their bodies are covered in bony plates called scutes rather then scales, and they have tiny eyes and barbels on their face that help them locate prey in the muddy bottom of murky water, all of which gives them their bizarre appearance. 

Sadly, sturgeon are on the decline.  National Wildlife Federation reports:




Speaking of giant fish, mark your calendars for the return of River Monsters with Jeremy Wade.  The new season premieres on Sunday April 1st at 9pm eastern/pacific.  Here's the promo video.  I can't wait!


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