Mussie is a sea monster reported to be living in Muskrat Lake, 75 miles (121 km) northwest of Ottawa, capital of Canada.
Description
Classified as a "hepaxalor" and endowed with three eyes and sharp teeth, Mussie was initially shown as a great serpent towering over its prey but is now most popularly described as a marine mammal, sharing traits with a seal or walrus.
Origin
Local folklore says that while exploring the region over 300 years ago, Samuel de Champlain learned from the natives of the area of a legendary creature that lived in the lake. Though the legend may certainly descend from native lore, no mention is given of it in Champlain's memoirs. Nevertheless, the myth survived with help from a sign which once welcomed visitors to Cobden. The sign featured Champlain holding his famous lost astrolabe while looking out over Muskrat Lake. In the lake, prominently displayed, is Mussie, depicted as having three eyes and a long tongue. The sign is inaccurate in many ways, least of all in giving the impression that Champlain had actually encountered the creature.
Investigations
In 1988 Bradley conducted a sonar survey of Muskrat Lake in an attempt to find evidence of Mussie's existence. He failed to find anything substantial, though he did capture a sonar image of two creatures, 6-8 feet long, at a depth of 24 feet (7.3 m). Bradley notes that these creatures seemed to be undulating vertically. According to Bradley this is remarkable because only two types of creature undulate vertically, invertebrates and marine mammals. The problem with this is that marine mammals need open water in the winter to survive. The closest source of open water is at the mouth of the Saint Lawrence River.
Theories
Author Michael Bradley theorizes that Mussie may be a type of freshwater pigmy walrus, similar to the seals in Seal Lake, Quebec. Eyewitness accounts support this theory with descriptions of slick, silver-grey fur and long white teeth or tusks.
Mussie enthusiast Dennis Blaedow thinks that Mussie may spend the winter in some form of hibernation feeding off a cache of food deep in the Muskrat Lake caves. Retired Opeongo High School geography teacher Stew Jack thinks that belief in Mussie's existence may be caused by hallucinogenic qualities of the lake water itself.
Sources
- Kirk, John (1998). In the Domain of Lake Monsters. Toronto: Key Porter Books. ISBN 1-55263-010-2.
- Bradley, Michael (1989). More Than a Myth: The Story of the Muskrat Lake Monster. Willowdale, Ontario: Hounslow Press.