Comments on: Tsuchinoko: 100 Million Yen Reward

By: mystery_man

mystery_man — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:21:23 +0000

The tsuchinoko, one of the classic Japanese cryptids. I’ve seen lots of photos of supposed tsuchinokos, but the one here is a new one for me. I don’t know how much stock I put in its authenticity, but it is interesting nonetheless. Looks to me like a type of skink that’s had a little too much to eat or is just plain fat. Skinks have pretty small legs in relation to their bodies, and it looks to me as if this one’s legs could be held close to the body and folded under.

There have been some supposed tsuchinokos that turned out to be just that, an overfed snake or lizard, so it is not a possibility that can be ruled out. However, these snakes are supposedly able to leap over a meter which is something that would be extremely odd for a recently fed snake or lizard. Also, some people aren’t aware of the amazing variety of vocalizations attributed to the tsuchinoko, such as whistles, chirping, even alleged mimicry of human voices, which do not match anything in the known snakes or lizards of Japan.

That link is pretty interesting. I’ve lived in Japan for 13 years and thought I knew all of the Japanese cryptids, but there are two there that I’ve never heard of. The Takatori giant fish and that giant snake. Cool.

By: cryptothekid

cryptothekid — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 05:58:45 +0000

What if its just a new species of skink?

By: Rogutaan

Rogutaan — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 01:17:45 +0000

Upon viewing that last picture, Skink was the first thing to come to my mind. The first picture on the other hand, not sure (not the kappa picture, so technically the second picture in the article).

By: DWA

DWA — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 21:48:14 +0000

Folks, the photo looks way too much like a known lizard, in fact the one suggested, right below the photo: the blue-tongued skink.

By: red_pill_junkie

red_pill_junkie — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:18:46 +0000

Seems 2008 is the year of money-making cryptocampaigns… not that there’s anything wrong with that

By: Shane Durgee

Shane Durgee — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:17:23 +0000

Oh yeah the Kappa is one of my favorite creatures. Those recent reports are pretty spooky.

By: Shane Durgee

Shane Durgee — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:15:08 +0000

Man I disagree with the snake digesting and animal theory in regards to the grey photo (video still?). The body is too tiny compared to the head in that case, at least in terms of any snakes known in Japan. You can also see stubby protrusions in the front and back, right where the legs of a lizard would be. Seems just as likely to be an unknown reptile than to be a rather deformed snake in mid-digestion.

By: shumway10973

shumway10973 — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:21:04 +0000

Ya know, folks, everything described here sounds very much like the serpent in Genesis. After all according to Moses (writing down the oral traditions) the serpent lost its legs and was forced to move on its belly. Many have suggested that this is the tale of the beginning of snakes, but they tend to forget that it is suppose to be a very beautiful animal. Sorry, but the folklore of this one talking and telling lies hit home. From an evolutionary standpoint, any animal that finds faster/easier way to move around would probably lose use of their legs (first) and then lose them altogether. Although, if the illustrations above are correct, I don’t see the loss of legs as much as the loss of the use of fins. Japan has some weird animals that science just can’t explain. Like the Akita, dog. Very feline in many ways, but a definite canine. The legends say that the first Akita was the result of breeding a dog with a large cat (of some sort). Almost sounds like science fiction tampering with the DNA.

By: jayman

jayman — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:41:22 +0000

The overall appearance suggests a skink, and I believe some members of that lizard group have lost their legs. But it’s not clear how such a stout creature would move on land without legs, or only rudimentary ones. Or is it said to be aquatic?

By: springheeledjack

springheeledjack — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 05:15:22 +0000

Ah, now if I could only get to Japan. Interesting thing, the gray photo looks a little short for a snake that is digesting its food. The relation of the size of the head with the rest of the body. And, I know snakes can digest rather large critters, but I do think they tend to find things that are more manageable. Not that they can’t suck down something almost as big as itself, but that they generally prey on things that are, well, like I said, smaller and manageable.