Kongamato

thumb|326px">thumb|326px
thumb|293x293px">thumb|293x293px
Kongamatos are large Pterosaurs and Pterodactyls in Cryptozoology|pterosaur-like cryptids living in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, particularly in Zambia, the Congo, and Angola.

It resembles a pastiche of folkloric flying monsters. Its name means 'breaker of boats' or 'overturner of boats', as the kongamatos are said to have capsized the canoes of natives and attacked people who ventured too close to the nearby rivers. It is described as a reddish lizard with membranous wings and teeth in its beak. Its wingspan ranges from 4 to 100 feet across. When shown a picture of a pterosaur, natives said that it was a picture of a kongamato. The accounts told of these creatures are similar to the ones that describe the ropen of Papua New Guinea, as well as with several other creatures. There are several historic reports of European explorers being attacked by large winged creatures, and quite often people were reported to have received wounds from the kongamatos. It is thought to eat mostly fish, but occasionally humans. The Kongamato is also said to dig up graves and steal human corpses, because in Africa the burial is usually not too deep. It is interesting to note that a good portion of modern kongamato sightings happen in a prime birdwatching site and yet birdwatchers never report anything, indicating that the Kongamato may in fact be a case of mistaken identity.

Sightings
One of the earliest reports of the kongamatos is from traveler Frank Melland. It is depicted in his 1932 book In Witchbound Africa.
Explanations
It could be a case of mistaken identity, although it could also be a living pterosaur.

 Gallery 

<gallery>
konga mato.jpg
kongamato-front.jpg|Kongamato as it appears in the Weird n' wild creatures collectors cards series
kongamato.jpg
kongamatoflying.jpg
kongamato3.jpg
ropencrest11.jpg|Rendering
kongamato_by_shadow_aspect-d4i7ezy.jpg
Kongamato Bat.jpg|If it isn't a living pterosaur.
C3AEACA7-6F20-475C-8308-49C11455A4D1.jpeg
</gallery>
alt=Kongamato The Cryptic Pterosaur|thumb|Artwork by KaijuMaster20">alt=Kongamato The Cryptic Pterosaur|thumb|Artwork by KaijuMaster20
Category:Dinosaurs and Pterosaurs>Category:Dinosaurs and Pterosaurs
Category:Cryptids>Category:Cryptids
Category:Flying and Gliding>Category:Flying and Gliding
Category:Africa>Category:Africa
Category:Cryptid Wiki>Category:Cryptid Wiki
Category:Giant Bat>Category:Giant Bat
Category:Congo>Category:Congo
Category:Reptile>Category:Reptile
Category:Reptiles and Amphibians>Category:Reptiles and Amphibians
Category:Living fossil>Category:Living fossil
Category:Bats>Category:Bats
Category:Pterosaurs>Category:Pterosaurs
Category:Reptilia>Category:Reptilia
{{CryptidsNavBox}}

Category:Cryptid wiki>Category:Cryptid wiki