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Six Weird Creatures You Don't Want to Meet

(cont'd)

By Stephen Wagner, About.com Guide

Bunyips

Background: From Australia comes the legend of the Bunyip. The Aboriginal stories say they lurk in swamps, billabongs (a pool linked to river), creeks, riverbeds and waterholes. They are said to emerge at night and have been heard to make terrifying, blood-curdling cries. Furthermore, say the tales, the Bunyip will devour any animal or human that dares venture near its abode. The Bunyip's favorite prey is said to be women."

Description: Some describe the Bunyip as a gorilla-type animal (like Bigfoot or the Australian Yowie), while others say it is half animal, half human or spirit. Bunyips come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. Some are described to have long tails or necks, wings, claws, horns, trunks (like an elephant), fur, scales, fins, feathers... any combination of these.

Encounter: From The Moreton Bay Free Press, April 15, 1857: "Mr Stoqueler informs us that the Bunyip is a large freshwater seal having two small paddles or fins attached to the shoulders, a long swan like neck, a head like a dog, and a curious bag hanging under the jaw, resembling the pouch of a Pelican. The animal is covered with hair like the Platypus, and the colour is a glossy black. Mr Stoqueler saw no less than six of the curious animals at different times, his boat was within 30 ft. of one, near M'Guires point, on the Goulburn and fired at the Bunyip, but did not succeed in capturing him. The smallest appeared to be about 5 ft. in length, and the largest exceeded 15 ft. The head of the largest was the size of a Bullocks head and 3 ft. out of the water." (Note: even if it is a seal, this is an unknown creature.)

The Loveland Lizard

Background: The Loveland creature case was first investigated thoroughly by two OUFOIL (Ohio UFO Investigators League) investigators, who spent several hours with the two officers who saw this strange-looking creature. The first account took place on a clear, cold night on March 3, 1972.

Description: Three or four feet tall, weighing around 50 to 75 lbs., its body looked like looked leathery textured skin, and had a face resembling a frog or lizard.

Encounter: While driving, Officer Johnson (named changed) saw something lying in the middle of the road. It looked like some kind of animal that had been hit and left to die. Johnson got out of his car to put the animal over on the roadside until the game warden could be called to pick up the carcass. As he opened his car, the door apparently made some noise which caused this thing to raise up in a slight crouch position (like a defensive lineman). The eyes were illuminated from the car headlights. The creature began to half walk and half hobble over to the guard rail. However, this time the creature lifted its leg over the guard rail and while doing this, kept its eyes on Johnson. As the creature went over the guard rail and down the embankment, Johnson took a shot at it, but missed.

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