The internet has been buzzing with dramatic images claiming to show massive sea creatures, with captions like “Leviathan is moving, shaking up the world.” These viral posts tap into humanity’s deep fascination with ocean monsters and unknown creatures lurking in the depths. But what’s the real story behind these images, and what do we actually know about the giants of our seas?

The Viral Phenomenon

Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, have been flooded with content suggesting the return or discovery of biblical-scale sea monsters. These posts often feature dramatic before-and-after style images, claiming to show evidence of creatures far larger than anything science has documented. The appeal is obvious – our oceans remain largely unexplored, with over 80% still unmapped and unobserved.

The Real Leviathan: A Prehistoric Terror

While viral images may be fictional, there was indeed a real “Leviathan” that once ruled Earth’s oceans. Livyatan melvillei, discovered in Peru in 2008, was a colossal predatory whale that lived approximately 9.9 to 8.9 million years ago during the Miocene epoch.

Key Facts About the Real Leviathan:

• Length: 44-57 feet (similar to modern sperm whales)
• Teeth: Up to 14 inches long and 4 inches wide – the largest biting teeth of any known animal
• Diet: Other whales, including large baleen whales
• Habitat: Ancient oceans off the coast of Peru
• Rivals: Shared its ecosystem with the massive shark Megalodon

This prehistoric giant was named after both the biblical sea monster and Herman Melville, author of “Moby Dick.” Unlike modern sperm whales that feed primarily on squid through suction, Livyatan was a raptorial predator that used its massive teeth to tear chunks of flesh from whale prey.