Many of the oral narratives of the Tehuelche—indigenous people from South America (Argentina and Chile)—are filled with creatures, both real and mythical. One of the most interesting mythical creatures contained in the Tehuelche’s bestiaries is the Okpe.

The Okpe is a massive, quadrupedal ogre that looks like a pig made of solid rock. As hunters, the Tehuelche were very well aware of the fact that the rock exterior of the Okpe didn’t have any soft spots or weaknesses, so it was virtually i...

This mythical sea monster, a spirit of the sea in the mythology of the Yamana Indians of Tierra del Fuego, is one of the most dangerous sea creatures found in the waters off the coast of South America.

This creature, and its progeny of water spirits, have been known to tip canoes over, pull their occupants out, and drag them under to consume, leaving their entrails to float to the surface.

When angered, the lakuma can also create huge waves, summon whirlpools, and whip up storms to damage larger...

In Nheegatu, the language commonly known as Língua Geral Amazônica, tapirê-iauara can be translated as  Tapir Water-Lady, or as Tapir Nymph.”  This creature enjoys a wide distribution in the Amazonian Region, from the Orinoco in Venezuela down the Amazon River up to Pará.

Habitat-wise, the tapirê-iauara prefers slower-moving waters, near mangrove or palm trees, and avoids human settlements. 

In the past, fear of this creature forced locals out of many nutrient-rich floodplain systems (várzea...