Welcome To Tranquil Lake Tarpon!

Upon the placid water of Florida's Lake Tarpon, lies a mystery!  Tarpon Springs' famous Lake Tarpon appears now, to have confirmed a mysterious inhabitant.  An unknown monster believed to have snatched more than one unwary person from the banks to a watery world below!  What is this mystery?  What is this monster?  Where is its origin?  Is it a threat, or a hoax?  You be the judge!

Eyewitness accounts vary with respect to length (10-30 feet), skin texture (smooth or scaly) and shape of the head
(described as resembling a dinosaur, an alligator, a dog, or pig - we think the last description may be more a case of alcohol than aquatic pigs).   Most say it resembles some form of a large reptile, capable of walking on its two hind legs.  However, one indisputable fact remains, that the mystery surrounding this Florida Lake defies description and identification!  Also, some allege that Tarpie* - as the Monster is now known - has taken his share of local wildlife and tourists!  Which has the locals quite upset (about the wildlife!).

Some say the "monster" has been spoken of in the area for centuries - Indian legends may have it that anyone foolish enough to intrude on its territory would not return.   Many have not!  And not because of poor fishing either!

The Mysterious Lake Tarpon at Tarpon Springs, Florida Long considered a sacred site by local Indian tribes!

While some have theorized that the Lake's unknown inhabitant is a giant catfish, others feel that this is unlikely due to the fact that catfish are bottom-dwellers who are not likely to be spotted at the water's surface.   Also, rarely would a catfish come ashore and carry away a full grown human.  Though many a fisherman's wife might wish it were true!

Others believe it to be a large very old alligator, who has avoided being sighted for decades, yet those that claim to have seen "Tarpie"* as it is now known, claim that the creature has a long snake-like neck and walks on two legs!  Could this be real?  Or the imaginings of a sunstroked mind?  Who can say?

Recently, reports of manatees in the lake have been spread about.  However, since there are several flood control dams separating Lake Tarpon from Old Tampa Bay, and since manatees are poor at climbing, it seems unlikely that these reports are accurate.  More likely, they are eyewitness accounts of Tarpie sightings (such as these).

One theory contends that the mysterious creature is a descendent of one of the plesiosaurs or other dinosaurs which lived in the region millions of years ago, when Florida was mostly covered by the Atlantic Ocean.  That such a creature had been residing in an underground cave system, and allowed access to the lake through one of several sink holes on the lake shore.

Which theory is correct?  Perhaps time - and any lucky hunter or fisherman who successfully captures the beast -  will tell.  In the meantime, the next time you are jet skiing, or canoeing on Lake Tarpon, keep your hands and arms inside the boat, or you could be Tarpie's* next snack!  And if you hear the tell-tale bump of Tarpie* under your boat, gun-it and head for shore as though your life depends on it - it might very well - observing safe speed limits, of course!

Do you have a tale of Tarpie*?  Have you seen the creature?  Have you lost a loved one to this mystery of the depths?  Send us an email!

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