Bunyip
Aboriginal Australian water spirit ('bunyip' = devil/spirit) from southeastern Australia (Yorta Yorta, Ngarrindjeru, Wonnarua, Kurnai). Lives in waterholes, billabongs, swamps, rivers. Spiritual Guardian of water - not just monster. The word today means 'devil' but represents deep spiritual significance. Different descriptions: dog-like face, flippers/webbed feet, round head + elongated neck (like diprotodon), body like ox/hippo/manatee. Some say Manatee-like, others emu-neck with folds of skin. First written description 1845: pale blue eggs, deadly claws, brightly colored chest. Makes booming