Grootslang
Encyclopedia
The Groot slang or Groot Slang (Afrikaans
for "big snake", is a legendary cryptid
that is reputed to dwell in a deep cave in the Richtersveld
, South Africa.
, the creature is supposedly 12 m (40 ft) long and 1 m (3 ft) wide, according to witness
es. It is claimed to devour elephants by luring them into its cave. In Benin
, it is known as an elephant with a serpent's tail.
businessman Peter Grayson mounted an expedition in 1917 to find the Grootslang. After a series of injuries to his party, he set off on his own. He was never seen again.
Afrikaans
Afrikaans is a West Germanic language, spoken natively in South Africa and Namibia. It is a daughter language of Dutch, originating in its 17th century dialects, collectively referred to as Cape Dutch .Afrikaans is a daughter language of Dutch; see , , , , , .Afrikaans was historically called Cape...
for "big snake", is a legendary cryptid
Cryptid
In cryptozoology and sometimes in cryptobotany, a cryptid is a creature or plant whose existence has been suggested but is unrecognized by scientific consensus and often regarded as highly unlikely. Famous examples include the Yeti in the Himalayas and the Loch Ness Monster in...
that is reputed to dwell in a deep cave in the Richtersveld
Richtersveld
The Richtersveld is a mountainous desert landscape characterised by rugged kloofs and high mountains, situated in South Africa’s Northern Cape province. It is full of changing scenery from flat sandy plains, to craggy sharp mountains of volcanic rock and the lushness of the Orange River, which...
, South Africa.
Description
Similar to a large serpentSerpent
Serpent may refer to:* Serpent, a synonym for snake* Serpent , the name given to a snake in a religious or mythological context* Serpent , said to have tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden* Serpent in astronomy...
, the creature is supposedly 12 m (40 ft) long and 1 m (3 ft) wide, according to witness
Witness
A witness is someone who has firsthand knowledge about an event, or in the criminal justice systems usually a crime, through his or her senses and can help certify important considerations about the crime or event. A witness who has seen the event first hand is known as an eyewitness...
es. It is claimed to devour elephants by luring them into its cave. In Benin
Benin
Benin , officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in West Africa. It borders Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. Its small southern coastline on the Bight of Benin is where a majority of the population is located...
, it is known as an elephant with a serpent's tail.
Residence
The cave is known as the “Wonder Hole” or the “Bottomless Pit.” Supposedly, it connects to the sea, which is 40 miles away. According to local legend, the cave is filled with diamonds.Searches
Wealthy EnglishEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
businessman Peter Grayson mounted an expedition in 1917 to find the Grootslang. After a series of injuries to his party, he set off on his own. He was never seen again.
Media Appearances
- A Grootslang was featured in The Secret SaturdaysThe Secret SaturdaysThe Secret Saturdays is an American animated television series created by Canadian cartoonist Jay Stephens for Cartoon Network. It debuted on October 3, 2008, in the United States...
episode "Something in the Water." It is depicted as a four-tusked green-skinned elephant with ram-like horns and a spiked snake-like tail. The Saturdays had to relocate a Grootslang away from settlements by baiting it with a large piece of pork.