But who does this forgotten penis on the beach belong to?

An unusual discovery has surfaced on a Danish beach. A long object of clear biological nature intrigued the cleaners, who initially believed they had found a sea serpent.


However, the reality proved even more surprising. What they had mistaken for a serpent was actually the penis... of a whale (see photos below).

This strange event took place on the island of Bornholm, in southern Denmark. Volunteers cleaning the Dueodde beach stumbled upon this imposing 5-foot (1.5-meter) appendage. Its length and weight convinced them it was a marine creature.

Experts from the local nature conservation group were quick to debunk the mystery. It was, in fact, the reproductive organ of a humpback whale. This organ can typically measure up to 10 feet (3 meters).

Despite their massive size, humpback whales usually keep this organ tucked away in a genital slit. It's extremely rare for such a part of a cetacean's anatomy to be found in isolation.


Scientists are currently conducting analyses to understand how this organ could have become detached from the whale's body. Findings like these are exceedingly rare, and studying this specimen could shed light on certain biological mysteries.

Interestingly, some maritime stories of sea serpents might actually stem from the sight of this organ. Such misunderstandings possibly date back centuries, fueling legends.

This discovery also highlights whale behavior during mating season, though many questions about their behavior remain today.

How can a whale's penis end up on a beach?

Though impressive in size, a whale's penis is generally hidden within a genital slit. This organ can reach up to 10 feet (3 meters) in length in humpback whales. It is rare to observe such a part isolated from the body.

During reproduction, males extend their penis to mate. However, scientists are still unsure in what other situations this organ might be visible. The discovery of a beached penis could result from injury, competition between males, or natural causes of death.

This rarity puzzles researchers, who are keen to understand how such an anatomical part could detach and wash ashore. Future studies may help clarify this still poorly understood phenomenon.