Storsjöodjuret

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Storsjöodjuret


The Storsjöodjuret
Creature

Name:	Storsjöodjuret
Classification
Grouping:	Cryptid
Sub Grouping:	Lake monster
Data
First Reported:	1635

Country:	Sweden
Region:	Lake Storsjön, Jämtland province, Sweden
Habitat:	Water
Status:	Local legend

Storsjöodjuret (pron. /ˈstuːˌʂøːuˈjʉːrɛt/) is a lake monster (odjur is a Swedish word for "monster") reported to live in the 300-foot deep Lake Storsjön in Sweden's the northwestern Jämtland province.

[edit] Description

The Storsjöodjuret is described as a serpentine or aquatic reptile with fins across its back and the head of a dog. It is reported to measure approximately 6 meters long, and some accounts describe it as having several humps.

[edit] History

The first description of a sea creature in Storsjön was made in a folk-lore tale by a vicar in 1635, though common interest in the creature was sparked until the 1890s. After several sightings, an enterprise of locals was founded to catch the monster, even drawing the support from king Oscar II. Since then hundreds of monster sightings have been made. No scientific results have been made, but the supporters have never lost their faith.

In 1986, the Jemtia county administrative board declared the Storsjöodjuret to be an endangered species and granted it protected status. However, it was removed from the list in November 2005. [1]

Several other Swedish lakes are also rumored to have lake monsters

See also: List of Swedish lake-monsters.