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The Chilean Blob as it was found on Pinuno Beach in July 2003
The Chilean Blob was a large mass of tissue found on Pinuno Beach in Los Muermos, Chile in July 2003. It weighed 13 tonnes (14 tons) and measured 12 metres (39 ft) across.[1] The Chilean Blob made headlines around the world because biologists were initially unable to identify it, and were speculating that it was the remains of some species of giant octopus previously unknown to science.[1][2]
In June 2004, DNA found in the blob was found to match that of a sperm whale: the blob was a large mass of adipose tissue, the partial remains of a dead sperm whale.[3][4]
References
- ^ a b Chilean blob could be octopus. BBC News, July 3, 2003.
- ^ Giant blob baffles marine scientists. BBC News, July 2, 2003.
- ^ Pierce, S., S. Massey, N. Curtis, G. Smith, C. Olavarría & T. Maugel 2004. Microscopic, Biochemical, and Molecular Characteristics of the Chilean Blob and a Comparison With the Remains of Other Sea Monsters: Nothing but Whales. Biological Bulletin 206: 125–133.
- ^ Puig, R. 2004. A Whale of a Tale. Research Online, University of South Florida.