Is This Monster Real?

Fantastical creatures are often inspired by real animals. For example, European explorers of the Americas mistook manatees for mermaids. Lindqvist thought the “yeti” samples might belong to bears. But she knew that they could also come from an unknown species.

To find out, Lindqvist studied the DNA in the hairs, bones, and droppings that supposedly came from yetis. DNA is found inside cells, the microscopic units that make up an animal’s body. It contains information about the animal it came from.

First, Lindqvist and her team used chemicals to extract the DNA. They placed the DNA in a machine to analyze its structure. Then they used computers to compare the DNA with that of other animals.

Imaginary creatures are often based on real animals. For example, European explorers of the Americas mistook manatees for mermaids. Lindqvist thought the same could be true of the “yeti” samples. They might belong to bears. But they could also come from an unknown species.

Lindqvist studied the DNA in samples thought to come from yetis. DNA is found inside cells. Cells are the smallest units that make up an animal’s body. DNA contains information about the animal it came from.

First, Lindqvist and her team added chemicals to the samples. The chemicals help to remove the DNA from cells. The scientists placed the DNA in a machine to study the DNA’s structure. Then the scientists used computers. They compared the DNA’s structure with that of other animals.

Did the samples come from a monster? Not exactly. Lindqvist found that the samples’ DNA matched the DNA of several bears from the region, including the Himalayan brown bear. One sample, a tooth, belonged to a dog! 

The analysis also revealed something new about the evolution of bears. Evolution is the process by which organisms change over many generations. These changes build up over time in a species’ DNA.

Lindqvist found that the Himalayan brown bear has been isolated from other bear species for 650,000 years. The Himalayan brown bear is in danger of going extinct, or dying out. Learning more about its history could help scientists save the species.

As for yetis, Lindqvist doesn’t think her findings will stop people from believing in the monster. Tales about yetis are an important part of the local culture. “Science isn’t going to change that, and maybe it shouldn’t,” she says. “These mysteries are going to survive.”

Did the samples come from a monster? Not exactly. Lindqvist found that the samples’ DNA matched that of bears from the region. That includes the Himalayan brown bear. One sample was a tooth that belonged to a dog! 

The study also revealed something new about bears. It had to do with their evolution. That’s the process by which organisms change over long periods of time. These changes build up in a species’ DNA.

Lindqvist made a discovery about the Himalayan brown bear. She found that it had been separated from other bear species for 650,000 years. The Himalayan brown bear is in danger of going extinct. It could soon die out. Learning more about its history could help scientists save the species.

Lindqvist doesn’t think her findings will stop people from believing in yetis. Tales about the monsters are an important part of the local culture. “Science isn’t going to change that, and maybe it shouldn’t,” she says. “These mysteries are going to survive.”