MANTA
Folklore of Chiloc, Chile
This is the name of a giant seagoing monster in the folklore of the people of Chiloc, Chile. The MANTA is said to be the sea-water equivalent of the CUERO. It is described as flat, extended skin, like a cow's hide, with eyes around the perimeter, four more on top, where a head would have been, and tentacles and tail with claws. This creature comes to the surface, where it lures and sucks unwary humans swimming there down under the water, where it enfolds their bodies and consumes them. The creature has been known to climb out onto the land, where it lies in the sun, but its return was said to be the cause of violent gales. The fishermen of Chiloc were naturally terrified of the creature and would leave the fishing grounds if a MANTA were seen. There has been some speculation that it could have been some form of giant squid.
Source: Giants, Monsters, and Dragons: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend, and Myth