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Mapinguari
A giant, foul-smelling, one-eyed creature of the Amazon. The indigenous people fear it. Some say it's a surviving giant ground sloth. The Mapinguari may be the Amazon's greatest mystery.
Ancient - Present
Amazon Rainforest, Brazil
200+ witnesses
The Mapinguari is a legendary creature from Brazilian folklore, reported in the Amazon rainforest, possibly representing a surviving giant ground sloth.
The Legend
According to documented accounts:
The Mapinguari is:
- A large, hairy creature
- One eye in its forehead
- A mouth in its belly
- Producing a terrible smell
- Very dangerous
Description
Indigenous accounts describe:
- 7-9 feet tall
- Covered in red fur
- Long claws
- Backward-facing feet
- Emitting a terrible stench
- Nearly invulnerable skin
Giant Sloth Theory
Some researchers suggest:
- It could be a surviving Megatherium
- Giant ground sloths lived until ~10,000 years ago
- The Amazon could hide survivors
- The description matches in many ways
Indigenous Knowledge
Amazon tribes report:
- Real encounters with the creature
- Fear and respect for it
- Stories passed down for generations
- Specific locations it inhabits
Modern Sightings
Reports continue:
- 1937: A hunter claimed to have killed one
- Various 20th century accounts
- Indigenous people insist it’s real
- No physical evidence has been found