Altamaha-ha
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| Altamaha-Ha | |
|---|---|
| Creature | |
| Name: | Altamaha-Ha |
| Classification | |
| Grouping: | Cryptid |
| Data | |
| First Reported: | 1700s (+ Earlier Indian Legends) |
| Country: | United States |
| Region: | Altamaha River,Georgia |
| Habitat: | Water |
| Status: | Unconfirmed |
The Altamaha-ha is an aquatic cryptid allegedly inhabiting the myriad network of small streams and abandoned rice fields near the mouth of the Altamaha River (after which it has been named) in southeastern Georgia. It is reported to be 10-50 feet in length, and has been sighted numerous times by fishermen and other people, particularly around Darien and elsewhere in McIntosh County.
It is often described as having snake or eel-like qualities (and is indeed found in waterways where ordinary-sized eel species are common) and is said to traverse the river and streams in an undulating fashion with 2-3 "humps." It is said to have a tail that is horizontal, rather than vertical, like that of a porpoise.
There have been many reports of such a creature in southeastern Georgia (and a smaller number of similar reports in Florida) going back to at least the 1700s. The local Tama Indian tribe has legends of a giant, snake-like creature inhabiting the waters of and near the Altamaha River that presumably pre-date European settlement of the Georgia coast.
Some have speculated that it may be an oceanic cryptid which engages in reproductive spawning in the fresh waters in and around the Altamaha River. In any event, there have been several reports of what appear to be juvenile specimens of the creature, in addition to the more numerous sightings of what are presumed to be adults.
