Deep in the jungles of central Africa, there are stories told about a fierce flying beast that might be a creature left over from the age of dinosaurs. Natives of the region fear Kongamato and flee in terror at any report of a sighting. Even some European explorers years ago claimed they had seen the beast, but it has so far eluded modern scientists-or been clever enough to get rid of those who dared come close enough to study it.
Chomp! The few people who believe they have seen Kongamato (and lived) say the creature has a beak that's filled with long, jagged teeth. Wounds from those supposedly injured by the beast support this claim.
Temper, Temper: Natives of Central Africa believe that Kongamato has a very short temper. Tribes people say that the flying "demon" will swoop down and attack any living creature that dares to look it in the eyes.
I Thought I Saw a Kongamato[]
Some explorers claimed to have seen the legendary Kongamato.
Natives aren't the only people who say that Kongamato truly exists. Many European explorers from the early 20th century came home with wild stories of the flying beast. In 1932, while on an expedition for the British Museum, zoologist Ivan Sanderson reported that he was attacked by a large black flying creature the size of an eagle, but with huge teeth. Then he asked natives about the creature he had seen, the natives ran and abandoned their homes, leaving most of their possessions behind.
Dive Bomber: Legends say that Kongamato likes to attack people in the water. The beast has been reported to dive into lakes and rives to overturn boats and drown people. This is how the creature got its name.
That Time Forgot: Those that believe in Kongamato's existence claim the creature is a pterosaur, a flying creature from the age of dinosaurs, that survived in the swamps of Africa and has remained hidden from science.
Swamp Thing[]
- As a test of his courage, a young tribesman enters the "swamp of demons." Suddenly he spots Kongamato resting on a branch, and is frozen with terror.
- Before the young man regains control, Kongamato swoops down to attack. The fierce flying creature claws at his chest with its talons and makes deep, nearly fatal wounds with its sharp teeth. Luckily, the tribesman breaks free and returns to tell the tale.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- In the Did You Know? section, 'pterosaurs' is misspelled as 'pterasaurs'.
- The title of the multi-paneled illustration on the back, "I Thought I saw a Kongamato", is a possible reference to Tweetie Bird's catchphrase "I thought I saw a pussy cat".