| Canvey Island Monster | |
|---|---|
 The only known photo of the carcass | |
| Background | |
| Type | Cryptid |
| Continent | Europe |
| Country | England |
| One-Time? | Yes |
| Theories | · Cryptid · Frogfish |
The Canvey Island Monster was the name given to a corpse that washed ashore on Canvey Island in England in November of 1953. A second, more intact, carcass was discovered in August, 1954.
Appearance[]
The creature had reddish-brown skin, gills, and bulging eyes. It was also described as having hind legs with five-toed horseshoe-shaped feet with concave arches – which appeared to be suited for bipedal locomotion – but no forelimbs. Its remains were cremated after a cursory inspection by zoologists who said that it posed no danger to the public.
Possible Explanations[]
There are several explanations as to what the creature could be. Theories include:
- An undiscovered species (a Cryptid)
- A frogfish
Trivia[]
- The generally-accepted explanation is that the monster is a frogfish, a type of anglerfish. Frogfish do in fact walk on leg-like fins, have bulging eyes, and take on a variety of colors including reddish brown.
- In 1999, Fortean journalist Nicholas Warren carried out an investigation into the 1953–54 sightings. He was unable to locate any official records at the Plymouth Marine Biology Association Laboratory or the National Rivers Authority identifying the creature as being a known or unknown specimen, but was able to find accounts from locals who believed the creature was an anglerfish.
Gallery[]
Photo Gallery[]
The only known photo of the carcass
An artist's depiction