THE GIANT MUDPUPPY OF LAKE ERIE

It churns the waves

and concerns the boats.

A small head braves

the water and floats.

Slick, impatient,

it stills nonetheless.

Floating. Vacant.

Not a new Bess,

this lake’s dark harrow.

Viewers distress

of teeth, spots, shadow.

Under dark fog,

it toured Crystal Beach,

Great Water Dog

now gone with a screech.

Names: Lake Erie Monster

Habitat: Lake Erie; shores or water

Size: up to 25 feet long

Diet: durophagous bottom feeder

Reproduction: oviparous; external fertilization; 3-5 eggs/year

Society: mostly solitary, except during brumation

Lifespan: up to 40 years

The Giant Mudpuppy is a reptile found at the bottom - and sometimes surface - of Lake Erie. To escape or threaten predators, it poses as the offspring of one of the lake's more dangerous predators, like Bessie or Egg Eyes. The shapes and shadows it creates and contorts into often leads to misidentification and confusion. Most viewers assume the creature is a small plesiosaur, a swimming dog, or a porpoise. There are only 3 recorded encounters…