kongamato

English

Etymology

From Kaonde [Term?] (literally “breaker of boats”).

Noun

kongamato

1. (cryptozoology) A pterosaur-like cryptid of Africa.
   • 1958, Bernard Heuvelmans, On the tracks of unknown animals:

     […] the kongamato like the olitiau is in the habit of diving at men crossing its territory — perhaps trying to drive them away […]

   • 2000, E. Randall Floyd, The world's 100 greatest mysteries: strange secrets of the past revealed:

     […] swamp conceals a terrifying "lizard bird" called the kongamato.

   • 2002, George M. Eberhart, Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology, Volume 2:

     When crossing rivers, some of them carried amulets that would protect them from a Kongamato.

   • 2008, Oliver Ho, Mysteries Unwrapped: Mutants & Monsters:

     Also described as being like a giant bat, the Kongamato has large teeth, red leathery skin, and a wingspan of four to seven feet.