Ahuizotl

water-spirit · Mexico · Mesoamerica

The Ahuizotl (from Classical Nahuatl āhuitzotl, 'spiny aquatic thing') is a legendary creature in Aztec mythology, described as the guardian of lakes and a servant of the rain god Tlaloc and his consort Chalchiuhtlicue. It is described as the size of a small dog with waterproof, spiky black fur, pointed ears, and hands like a monkey's on both its limbs and the tip of its prehensile tail. The creature lures people to their deaths by crying like a human baby or by causing fish to jump to the surface, drawing fishermen to the water's edge. It uses the hand on its tail to snatch its prey, then fea

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