What is the water leaper?
The water leaper is a waterside monster of the folklore of Wales in western Britain. In Welsh it is called “Llamhigyn y Dwr,” meaning “the one that leaps on the water.” It is said to live in lakes, ponds and marshes.
Folklore and features
The water leaper is described as having the body of a large legless frog, bat-like wings and a long, lizard-like tail with a poisonous stinger at the tip. It moves by skipping across the surface of the water with its wings and is said to paralyze its prey with a shrill shriek. Fishermen’s lines snapping was blamed on the water leaper, and at worst it was feared for dragging fishermen into the water. Shepherds are said to have taken care to keep their sheep and dogs away from the water.
The fishermen’s monster
The story of the water leaper is known as a fishermen’s tradition from the lakes of northern Wales. While it explained why fishing went badly, it is also thought to have served to warn of the dangers of deep water. Like Scotland’s kelpie, it is one of the spirits that threaten people who approach the water.
