Merbeings: Orang means “human” & Ikan "fish"

[NatureBoff]

I found this a fascinating read. The Curious Case Of The Orang Ikan

Merbeings. Whether you believe they are possible are not, it is undeniable that half human/half fish beings are a recurring theme around the world and across cultural divides. There is an interesting case that was reported by Japanese soldiers from the Kei Islands of Indonesia in 1943.

[Purple Octopus]

bald chickenhawk/turtle/lizard. Seems legit.

Edited July 19, 2013 by phantasia

[Mikko-kun]

It's a kappa. And spotted by the japanese no less... haven't you watched any anime?!

[Purple Octopus]

I know what it is called. Doesn't make it real.

[NatureBoff]

It's worth remembering that artists' impressions of multiple eyewitness accounts of strange creatures are to be taken with a pinch of salt.

The Victorian drawings of animals from the New World and distant lands were almost always far off the mark.

[Jennifer_P]

Just because someone reported it doesn't make it real, I could report I saw bigfoot outside my house, and make "evidence" and get media attention. Like these people did I doubt any mermaids exist, and if they do, i'll dye my hair green.

[Clobhair-cean]

The Victorian drawings of animals from the New World and distant lands were almost always far off the mark.

Umm, what? Victorian era zoological illustrations were of such a high quality that they were only superseded by photography. The Victorian era is basically the second half of the 19th century, you know.