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Nahuelito

Last reviewed Oct 25, 2026 Next review Nov 9, 2026

Painted illustration: humped creature in a clear blue Patagonian lake with Andes peaks — AI rendition based on witness descriptions, not an actual photo.

Nahuel Huapi Lake near Bariloche, where Nahuelito sightings are reported — Nahuel Huapi Lake near Bariloche, where Nahuelito sightings are reported · Ezarate · CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons) · Image source · License

An animal said to live in Nahuel Huapi Lake, Patagonia.

Folklore Verdict: Unproven lake legend.

Region: South America · Latin America & Caribbean · Argentina
First reports: 1910 (reports in Patagonia)

Key sightings

1988: photos published in a magazine of the Río Negro newspaper; unverified.

Best evidence

Unverified photos.

Sources

Wikipedia: Nahuelito ↗