The Mishigamaa (Dolichorhynchops mishigamaa) or "Michigan lake monster" is one of five species of plesiosaur to survive into the present day, although none are currently recognized by mainstream science. The Mishigamaa is not overly concerned with scientific recognition, as scientific recognition has not historically been accompanied by large buckets of fish. Scientific recognition is clearly doing it wrong.

As with all known relic species of plesiosaur, the Mishigamaa has a severely limited range, and is found only in certain lakes in the Michigan state area. The official species name was derived from the Ojibwa word meaning "large lake," although it has been noted on several occasions that the Ojibwa word for Mishigamaa would probably translate as something closer to "oh, shit."

The Mishigamaa rarely come into contact with humanity, and their population has been dwindling in recent years, due to water pollution and overfishing. Several private conservation efforts are currently underway.

BIOLOGY

The Mishigamaa are plesiosaurs, large marine reptiles that first arose during the age of dinosaurs, although they are not themselves dinosaurs. They are cold-blooded but surprisingly good at regulating their internal temperature, and have been observed to hibernate under the surface of frozen lakes. This is assisted by the unusually thick layer of subcutaneous fat which they possess.

The natural social behavior of the Mishigamaa is impossible to determine, as they have never been observed in habitats capable of sustaining more than five or six members of the species. Mating happens promptly after an adult has died, either due to hunting or old age, and gestation lasts approximately eleven months, ending with the live birth of a Mishigamaa calf. They are air-breathers, and the first moments of a calf's life are among the most dangerous, as the mother and calf cannot remain submerged for more than a few minutes. It is very likely that the official "discovery" of the Mishigamaa will involve a birth.

The actual lifespan of the Mishigamaa is unknown, as we have not yet managed to retrieve a body before it was eaten by the survivors.

Mishigamaa are carnivores, although they prefer fish to all other prey. They have been observed eating small mammals and waterbirds, however, so it is advised to avoid swimming in any lake which plays home to a Mishigamaa which has not already proven friendly toward humans.

DESCRIPTION

The Mishigamaa is a relatively small saw-toothed plesiosaur approximately ten to eight feet in length. They demonstrate little to any sexual dimorphism, and mature to adult size over the course of ten to fifteen years. They move through the water through the use of four large flippers, and have not been observed moving on land.

Unlike other known plesiosaurs, the Mishigamaa is relatively drab in coloration. This may explain how it has been able to evade discovery for so many years, despite the size of the local human population.



Artwork by Kory Bing.