A mysterious creature found on the shore in Montauk three weeks ago has beachgoers and scientists scratching their heads.

With its pointed head, sharp teeth and short feet, no one has any idea what the creature is. No one knows whether it?s a mammal or a reptile, or even whether it?s real or a hoax. Some say it looks like a sand turtle without a shell or a raccoon without fur.

?I don?t know man. It looks like something from the Island of Dr. Moreau,? Greg Felline, of Staten Island, says.

Rachel Goldberg, of Montauk, and two friends say they found the creature on July 11 and snapped two photos of it. They say there were many others on the beach at the time and that someone threw the carcass into the woods. Goldberg would not say who disposed of it or where they left it.

Rumors floated it could have something to do with the lab at Plum Island, but center Director Dr. Larry Barrett issued a statement to the contrary saying, ?I can state categorically that it is not associated with the work performed at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center.?