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Mystery Mammals Of Japan’s Rivers
Mysterious Universe
The waterways of Japan have long been home to many mysteries, with a large number of accounts of various strange creatures lurking in the depths of Japans rivers, lakes, and coasts. Among such bizarre reports as reptilian serpents, merbeings, and giant fish, we can find a particular grouping of water cryptids in Japan that seems to sit in a category all its own; mysterious animals that, due to their behaviors or appearance, seem to most closely match some kind of mammal in nature.
The possibility of a new large mammal lurking so close to civilization is a tantalizing one, and worth investigating, so here we will look at a sampling of such creatures seen in the rivers of Japan.
In 1973, one such creature found an apparently temporary home in the Edo River near the city of Matsudo, in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. During this period, there were over a hundred sightings of a mysterious seal-like creature lurking in the river that affectionately came to be known as the Matsudodon. The creature was said to be around 2 meters (around 6.5 feet) long and similar to a seal in appearance, although with longer limbs, more pronounced claws, and a cat-like face. The tail was also said to be a bit longer and thinner than that of a usual seal.
An artist’s representation of the Matsudodon
The mysterious animal was reputed to be not particularly shy, and even displayed what can only be described as almost playful behavior on occasion. One fisherman described how the creature emerged from underwater right in front of him and seemed to watch him for several minutes as it casually swam back and forth while spinning in the water before apparently losing interest and slipping back under. Although certainly unnerved by the encounter, the fisherman described how he did not feel particularly threatened at the time.
Another eyewitness strolling along a riverside trail reported seeing the creature out in the water doing playful rolls and slapping its tail against the water. One jogger also reported seeing it apparently playing with a piece of floating garbage, batting the refuse around with its nose and tossing it up in the air.
Reposted with permission
