grootslang

plural grootslangs

1. A South African cryptid with the head of an elephant and the body of a snake, which reputedly eats elephants and hoards diamonds; one particular one (the Grootslang) is reputed to live in a cave in South Africa connected to the sea.

   Two more grootslangs appeared on either side of their leader, both larger and more frightening than the one he had made in the museum.

   2016, Rocco Ryg, The Genocide Gene: The Onryo Saga, →ISBN

   1 more example

   While he watched, one of the selkies drenched one of Sakura's grootslangs with a water shield, much like the one Fiona had used with Ray only days earlier. Had it been only days earlier? It felt like a lifetime ago. The water hit the grootslang right in the face.

   2017, H. K. Varian, The Changer War, →ISBN

plural Grootslangs

1. Alternative letter-case form of grootslang, referring to the specific primordial, one which is reputed to live in a cave in South Africa connected to the sea.

   The Grootslang is one of the most ancient and powerful of all legendary beasts.

   2016, Shannon Watters, Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Lumberjanes To The Max, →ISBN, page 157

   2 more examples

   At night, a cryptid known as the Grootslang is supposed to emerge from the cave and lure prey back into its lair. Shaped like a monstrous elephant with the tail of a snake, the Grootslang feeds on trespassers and fiercely guards a stash of thousands of diamonds and gemstones. The most popular story about the Grootslang comes from the escapades of British explorer Peter Grayson. In 1917, lured by the stories of diamonds in the Bottomless Pit, Grayson took a small team of men ...

   2014, Jamie Frater, Listverse.com's Epic Book of Mind-Boggling Lists: Unbelievable Facts and Astounding Trivia on Movies, Music, Crime, Celebrities, History, and More, →ISBN, page 138

   “The South African Grootslang was seen swimming up the coast of Madagascar. And the Australian Bunyip was spotted standing on a beach a bit north of Perth, just staring out over the water. Definitely weird, but nothing Kriss, Mac, and Nessie can't get to the bottom of.”

   2016, Peter Nelson, Creature Keepers and the Burgled Blizzard-Bristles, →ISBN