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From SCIFIPEDIA
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Illustration by Michael Lee (2007)
The Mamlambo is an underwater creater of Xhosa tribal mythology that reportedly haunds the Mzintlava River near Mount Ayliff. Allegedly female, Xhosa tribal mythology states that great wealth will befall anyone who captures her.
Description
Witnesses describe the Mamlambo as being about 20 meters (67 feet) long, with short, stumpy legs, a crocodilian body, plus the head of a horse, the body of a large-finned fish or snake, and the teeth of a vicious predator. The Mamlambo is also reported to shine, or glow, at night with a green light.
Behavior
The Mamlambo allegedly has a taste for human flesh—more specifically, for sucking the brains out of its victims' heads.
Similar Creatures
Deadly aquatic pseudo-horses are also reported from other parts of the world:
Misidentification Candidates
- Freshwater catfish
- Electric catfish, Malapterus spp.
Documentation
In 1997, amid claims that seven Xhosa tribesmen had fallen victim to the beast's deadly exploits, the Eastern Cape government launched an investigation into the reports' veracity, but no proof of the creature's existence was found. (A link to this and similar articles from South African newspapers appears in the External Links section.)
External Links
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