bunyips
There are 2 distinct different types of Bunyip.The larger type aparently is a diprotodontid Palorchestes Azael a large vegetative eater .These were known to the southern Aboriginals by a variety of names, Katenpai, kinepratia and tanatbah on the Murrumbidgee.It supposedely had huge koala like claws,enormously powerful rear limbs,a long ribbon like tongue and a elephant like trunk.The second animal is a different kettle of fish known to the southern Qld Aboriginals as Mochel Mochel.It supposedly looked like a black(sometimes)large dog?seal/waterrat.This animal ate flesh and Aboriginals lived in terror of it.Its extent is from Tasmania to about Bundaberg I suppose the southern extent of fresh water crocodiles.In the Wagga Daily Advertiser April 1872, it was described as "IT lay on the water perfectly still,and I had a splendid view of the creature that surprised me more than anything I had ever seen in my life.The animal was about half as long as a retreiver dog;the hair all over its body was jet black and shining,its coat was very long,the hair spreading out upon the surface for 5 inches,and floating losely as the creature rose and fell of its own motion.I could not detect any tail, and the hair about its head was too long and glossy to admit seeing its eyes,and the ears were well marked"It was credited with being able to see and hear underwater,others have remarked that "it head was exactly the bald head of a blackfellow"Aparently the last stronghold of this animal is the Macquarie River between Wellington and Warren,the other rivers suffering from the rivers lock system.