A sea monster is a strange or frightening creature that lives primarily underwater. Seagoing cultures around the world have encountered sea monsters since ancient times. Many varieties have been cataloged. See: a list of sea monsters

At one time it was a common belief that every animal on land had a counterpart beneath the sea. The marine counterparts to women and men were mermaids and mermen, there were horses with fish-tails, sea-vampires, sea-eagles, and so on.

Sea monsters have also been described as mundane animals normally found in the sea, only they are much larger and usually possess supernatural powers. Some popular examples include sea turtles, serpents, squids, sharks, and whales.

They are best known for attacking and sinking ships.

See Also: Creatures by Type » Dragons, Mermaids, Sea Monsters

References

The Popular Science Monthly, Volume 13. New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1878.