In the field of cryptozoology many of the most intriguing subjects are the mysterious animals who could be living in our lakes and rivers. Around the world people have been seeing bizarre creatures in the waters. Here are a few of the most popular cryptids in the water.
Loch Ness Monster: The Loch Ness Monster, or Nessie as his friends call him, is hands down the most famous of the mysterious creatures in our waters. The origins of this cryptid date back to 565 AD when Saint Columba confronted the "water beast" that the locals feared. In the centuries that followed, there were sporadic sightings of the creature but it was not until 1933 that the modern obsession with Nessie began. Those who claimed to see the creature during the 1930's and 1940's would often claim to see it come onto dry land, which sets it apart from many other water-based cryptids. The Loch Ness Monster has been described by those who claimed to see it as having a long neck and hump on its back. After years of searching nobody has found conclusive evidence of the creature's existence, but in the deep and murky waters of the loch there is still plenty of mysteries to be discovered.
Champ: Often called the "American Nessie" the monster of Lake Champlain has been increasingly seen by humans in recent decades. But accounts of this beast date back to the American Indians who spoke of Tatoskok. Modern interest in Champ kicked up in the late 70's when Sandra Mansi, allegedly captured a now famed photograph of the creature. Champ's existence gained a good deal of legitimacy in 2005, when an area fisherman captured what he claims was the creature on video. Experts have examined the footage and confirmed that it has not been tampered with or edited, meaning there is something which can not be identified living in Lake Champlain.
Ogopogo: Ever since the 1800's, there have been reports and rumors of a creature living in Okanagan Lake in British Columbia. While many cryptozoological sea creatures are described to resemble a pleisiosaurus the animal known as Ogopogo has been described more like a mosasaurus. The existence of Ogopogo was long considered folklore by many until 1926 at Okanagan Mission when several people on the road along the beach witnessed the creature. Since then many others have seen it, and a few even managed to take videos of what they claim to be Ogopogo. The creature has earned a nice little spot in pop culture having inspired; books, video games, and TV shows.
Bunyip: The Bunyip is a famed water monster from stories and legends among the Aboriginal people of Australia. But evidence found in the past several years has led many to believe that this animal did at one time exist. Though accounts of the creature vary among the pre-contact Aborigines they all agreed it was a water based creature who was trouble to those who encountered it. In 1818, explorer Hamilton Hume saw an unidentified creature in Lake Bathurst in New South Wales, that many believe was the Bunyip. Whatever he saw, it scared Hume so bad he refused to return to the lake when offered compensation to find it. In 1847, the skull of a creature believed to be the Bunyip even found itself on display at the Australian Museum for a couple of days, reigniting the public's fascination with the creature