Ahuitzotl (avisotl) is a creepy creature described by the Aztecs in numerous myths and legends. With screams reminiscent of a baby's cry, he lured his victims into a water trap, where he ruthlessly destroyed them.
The monster used its flexible tail to strangle it, as well as a paw at its end. When the victim died, he feasted on her eyes, teeth and nails, practically not touching the rest of the body.
Despite the resemblance to land animals, the Ahuitzotl lived in flooded caves and at the bottom of water bodies. It was in the water that he waited for his victims, sometimes screaming like a baby.
Ahuitzotl drawings from the original Aztec Codex (document with drawings and notes)
The description of the evil deeds of this creature is found not only in the myths of the Aztecs. In the legends of the peoples of the southern states of the United States and the Great Plains, there is a mention of an animal with a paw at the end of its tail. For example, in the myths of the Hopi tribe living in Arizona and New Mexico. They called this animal pavaukäiva - water dog. The Shasta Indians also have legends about the spotted water dog, which is very dangerous, as it drowns everyone who approaches the reservoir. Especially incautious swimmers get it. If the corpse is later found, it turns out to be covered with spots, like the "dog" itself.
Aztec figurine of this animal
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The Sumu Indians living on the territory of Nicaragua describe a water tiger that devours everyone who has the imprudence to approach the body of water chosen by him for habitation.
Thus, in the legends of various Indian tribes, there is a description of a strange water monster with a paw on its tail, which it uses as a murder weapon. Despite the similarities, these monsters have some differences, and the descriptions do not match any of the animals known to science.
Ferdinand Anders thinks that the ahuitzotl may be a relative of the coyote, but the known coyotes do not live in water. Edward Seller put forward a strange assumption that the Ahuitzotl could be confused with a porcupine, but porcupines have quills, and do not live in water bodies.
Contemporary images
Closest to the truth, perhaps, came researchers Charles Dibble and Arthur Anderson, who suggested similarities between the sea otter and the Ahuitzotl. The only thing that casts doubt on this theory is that the otter prefers sea water, while the Ahuitzotl, according to all known descriptions, prefers fresh water. Is the Ahuitzotl a species of giant river otter? But in the Florentine Code, where only real creatures are described, it was prescribed separately - aitzcuintli.
The Florentine Bernardino de Sahaguna described him in detail in 1578 as a real creature with smooth fur, like an otter or a dog, with strong raccoon legs. He did not forget about the fifth paw, which was crowned with a long, tenacious monkey's tail.
In 1503, Christopher Columbus wrote a letter to the Spanish royal couple, where he also spoke about the amazing animal. True, he compared him to a cat, but larger. It seemed to him that the creature's muzzle resembles a human face. Columbus in a letter claimed that his archer shot this animal, piercing it with an arrow from chest to tail. Despite the fatal injuries, the animal fiercely resisted and had to deprive it of one front and one hind paw. Apparently, these monsters multiplied in those days, since another animal attacked a wild boar, which was presented to Columbus. Ahuitzotl wrapped his tail around the boar's face, but began to choke with a paw at the end.
Currently, real evidence of the existence of ahuitzotl has not yet been found, and it is attributed to the cryptids, that is, to the legendary creatures about which many stories are told, but no one was able to catch it. Perhaps they are already extinct and only fossil bones will help unravel the mystery. True, they might not survive in water.
Surprisingly, the legendary Dingonek lives in the Congolese jungle, which is similar to its American counterpart. This is something between a reptile and a mammal. According to local legends, dingonek lives in some rivers and lakes in West Africa.
It has a length of up to 3.5 meters, an angular head with a long horn, saber-shaped fangs. And also a tail, topped with a bony appendage resembling a dart. Just like ahuitzotl, he kills people and animals with this dart, waiting for them in the water.