CNN has a video reporting that Lee County, SC may be suffering the return of its not-particularly-famous Lizard Man. First sighted in June 1988, a local teen was changing a tire on his car near Scape Ore Swamp when he was evidently attacked by a bipedal green lizard! Via Weird U.S.,

“I looked back and saw something running across the field towards me. It was about 25 yards away and I saw red eyes glowing. I ran into the car and as I locked it, the thing grabbed the door handle. I could see him from the neck down – the three big fingers, long black nails and green rough skin. It was strong and angry. I looked in my mirror and saw a blur of green running. I could see his toes and then he jumped on the roof of my car. I thought I heard a grunt and then I could see his fingers through the front windshield, where they curled around on the roof. I sped up and swerved to shake the creature off.”

The car roof was severely scratched up, and the rear-view mirror damaged, but otherwise no physical evidence was present. A number of other people reported seeing the lizard man, but by August ’88 the sightings had died off. Well, he’s back!

(picture from Weird U.S.)

The Rawsons of Bishopville, SC awakened to find the front end of their car chewed up and several of their cats missing. The cats’ box-beds had also been tampered with. The Rawsons were immediately reminded of the Lizard Man (though why one would jump to that conclusion, instead of assuming a bear or a coyote, is beyond me) and called the local news to report the encounter.

I fully expect to hear of actual ‘sightings’ of the Lizard Man as the weeks progress; the last reported ‘sighting’ in ’88 turned out to be a hoax by an airman trying to keep the legend alive.

It shouldn’t be that hard to find out exactly what visited the Rawsons, however: blood was found on the Rawsons’ car, which could be tested to find out exactly what they’re dealing with.

Regardless of what they find, I’m just worried about the Rawsons’ cats…

Update: For those interested in seeing the original newspaper article about the 1988 sighting, check out cryptomundo.com. I do not, however, by implication, endorse any exotic theories of cryptozoology.