Georgia Freshwater Aquatic Cryptids

Recently, it has been hypothesized that the Allatoona Toe Nibbler may be related to a more well known aquatic Georgia resident, the Altamaha-ha. For readers unaware of the Altamaha-ha, according to Wikipedia it is

"an aquatic cryptid allegedly inhabiting the myriad network of small streams and abandoned rice fields near the mouth of the Altamaha River (after which it has been named) in southeastern Georgia, United States, particularly around Darien and elsewhere in McIntosh County. Those who claim to have seen it report it to be 10 to 50 feet in length...."

Wikipedia Article

Although the Wikipedia article casts doubt on the existence of such a creature, other articles describe in detail the eye witness accounts of the Altamaha-ha and historical references to an aquatic beast. (See this article in the Augusta Chronicle dated March 15, 1998.)

Even Wikipedia acknowledges several reports of juvenile specimens in addition to the adult sightings. Some have speculated that the Altamaha-ha may actually be a marine cryptid that reproduces in fresh water.

What does the Altamaha-ha have to do with Allatoona's Toe Nibbler? It is possible that the creature or creatures living in Allatoona are cousin to the Altamaha-ha. Possibly, a freshwater pygmy cousin that has been trapped by the dam that has now cut off the river. It is even conceivable that this is a fairly new sub-species caused by the in-breeding of a very small population of Alatamaha-has trapped in the man-made lake.

This naturally calls into question some of the physical descriptions given by eye witnesses of the Toe Nibbler. What is interesting is that in almost all cases, no eye witness actually saw the lower two thirds of the creatures body. All that is consistent is a small head with beady eyes and one account of what appeared to be a three toed appendage. If those three toes were, in fact, a ridged flipper, we may be observing a very close relative of the Altamaha-ha in Lake Allatoona.

Toe Nibbler Habitat Loss

Recent drought conditions in Georgia have taken a toll on Lake Allatoona. As the Corps has struggled to maintain lake levels while continuing to provide water to downstream areas, the habitat of the Toe Nibbler is in jeopardy. Lake levels are currently down ten feet or more and many of the small coves have all but dried up.

As the coves and shallower waters begin to dry up, the Toe Nibbler is forced into deeper pools. Lake users should be aware that the Toe Nibbler may be present in areas previously thought to be "Nibbler Free". Swimmers and anglers should continue to be cautious while on the lake and report any possible Nibbler activity to this website.

The Toe Nibbler Conspiracy

Many people have claimed to see a Toe Nibbler lurking through the murky waters of Lake Allatoona in Northwest Georgia. Others go as far as to say that they have actually felt a Toe Nibbler take a little nibble while they were swimming. Of course, there are some people that think that a Toe Nibbler is a fictional creature that was invented to frighten little children and keep them out of the water.

So, what is a Toe Nibbler? Does it really exist? If so, is it dangerous? Where does it live? What does it look like?

Lake residents and visitors first started suspecting a Toe Nibbler around 1952 with the first newspaper mentioning the unexplained damage caused by what the newspaper refers to as a storm in July 11th, 1953. Some did not believe that all of the damage was due to mother nature. Those that have seen the Toe Nibbler describe it as being smaller than a human (accounts range from three to four foot in length.) Most often it is said to be dark green, brown, or black in color and has been seen sliding along under the surface of the water. It seems to enjoy shaded areas of the lakes and is seen most often up in small, but deep, coves along the shoreline.

The few accounts of up-close confrontations with the creature agree that it has small, black beady eyes and one eye witness stated that they saw a three toed webbed hand or foot extend out of the water.

Most people that swim or boat on the lake attribute the occasional nipping at their toes or fingers to curious and harmless fish. And in many cases, fish are the culprits. But in some cases, harmless fish aren’t the cause of the nibbling. It is a far more extraordinary creature.

Photographic evidence of the creature’s existence is limited at best. With the majority of the lake going public ignorant of the presence of a Toe Nibbler and the Corps of Engineers and local and State governments eager to dismiss it’s existence, all current photographs are accidental.

For the few believers, science may shed some light on the Toe Nibblers true identity. It has been true for decades that many inland lakes have been suspected of having mysterious creatures lurking in their depths. The most famous of these is Loch Ness and the now famous Loch Ness Monster. Closer to Lake Allatoona in the United States is “Champ”, the mysterious inhabitant of Lake Champlian in Vermont. Unlike these more famous lake dwellers, the Toe Nibbler has gained less notoriety due to its’ small stature and reclusive nature.

But Toe Nibblers may not be unique to Lake Allatoona. European scientists have long researched the lake inhabitants. Findings from the Copenhagen Institute for the study of Aquatic Life-Forms, indicate that there may be any number of tridigital (three toed) aquatic creatures living in large bodies of fresh water in North America. Sightings of the species, dubbed digitus-masticus or "toe nibbler" have been increasing over the last few years, but go back as far as 1952 to the infamous "foot feeding frenzy" in Florida's Lake Okeechobee, where a group of vacationing chorus girls suffered a group nibbling.