Cadborosaurus (CADDY)

The Enigma of Cadborosaurus: Fact, Folklore, or Fabrication?

Cadborosaurus, affectionately known as “Caddy,” is one of the most enduring marine cryptids of the North Pacific. Allegedly slithering through the coastal waters of British Columbia, this sea serpent has inspired countless eyewitness accounts, indigenous legends, and even scientific debate. Described as a long, serpentine creature with a horse-like head and flippers, Caddy has captivated the imaginations of believers and skeptics alike for well over a century.

But what is Caddy, really? A relic of prehistoric oceans, a misidentified sea creature, or merely a case of maritime folklore fueled by hoaxes and hysteria? In this deep dive, we examine the history, sightings, potential explanations, and controversial evidence behind one of the most intriguing cryptids of the Pacific Northwest.

A History of Sightings

The first modern recorded sighting of Cadborosaurus occurred in 1933 when a Victoria-based lawyer and his wife reported seeing a “horrible serpent with the head of a camel” while yachting near Cadboro Bay. However, indigenous accounts suggest that knowledge of the creature predates European settlers by centuries. Several First Nations groups, including the Manhousat, Sechelt, and Comox peoples, have oral traditions referencing a similar sea beast. Some indigenous groups even painted images of the creature on their canoes, believing it to be a powerful entity of the sea.

Since the 1930s, more than 300 reported sightings of Cadborosaurus have emerged. Some of the most notable include:

• 1943 – Two police officers in Georgia Strait reported seeing a “huge sea serpent with a horse-like head,” which they later identified as a group of sea lions swimming in formation.
• 1953 – Ten people from different vantage points witnessed a large aquatic creature that reportedly fit the Cadborosaurus description.
• 1968 & 1991 – Alleged live captures of baby Caddies, both of which were reportedly released back into the ocean.
• 2009 – Fisherman Kelly Nash filmed an unidentified group of serpent-like creatures in Nushagak Bay, Alaska, reigniting interest in the cryptid.

While these reports offer tantalizing clues, they are ultimately anecdotal. The lack of definitive physical evidence continues to fuel skepticism.

The Mysterious Cadborosaurus Carcass

Perhaps the most compelling “evidence” of Cadborosaurus’ existence came in 1937, when whalers at the Naden Harbour whaling station on Haida Gwaii discovered a 10-foot-long unidentified carcass inside the stomach of a sperm whale. The body reportedly had a long, sinuous structure with flippers and a head resembling that of a horse.

Photographs of the remains were taken and circulated in newspapers, but the specimen itself was lost or discarded. Later analysis of the photos led to wildly different conclusions, from a new species of marine reptile to a decomposed fetal baleen whale. The absence of a preserved specimen makes it impossible to verify any claims.

Several other carcasses have been linked to Cadborosaurus over the years, but most have been identified as rotting basking sharks, whale remains, or even elaborate hoaxes.

Possible Explanations: Known Animals or Unknown Cryptid?

While the idea of an undiscovered sea creature is enticing, many researchers argue that Cadborosaurus sightings can be attributed to misidentified marine animals. Some of the leading explanations include:

1. Sea Lions

Large sea lions swimming in a line can create the illusion of a single undulating creature. The 1943 police officer sighting that turned out to be a herd of sea lions is a strong example of this phenomenon.

2. Giant Oarfish

Oarfish, which can grow over 50 feet long, undulate through the water like serpents. Their elongated, ribbon-like bodies and occasional red crests could explain some of the more dramatic Caddy sightings.

3. Basking Sharks

When basking sharks decompose, their heads and gill structures can take on an eerie, plesiosaur-like shape. Many so-called “sea monster” carcasses have been identified as basking sharks, including some that were initially thought to be Caddy.

4. Sturgeon

The white sturgeon, which can exceed 20 feet in length, has a prehistoric, armored appearance. Some researchers believe that a misidentified sturgeon—especially a dead or decaying one—could be responsible for many Caddy sightings.

5. A Surviving Basilosaurus?

Some cryptozoologists have suggested that Cadborosaurus could be a surviving member of Basilosaurus, a prehistoric whale with a long, serpentine body. However, this theory is highly speculative, as no fossil evidence supports the survival of Basilosaurus past the Eocene epoch.

6. Fabrication and Misinterpretation

Skeptics argue that Caddy is simply a product of folklore, hoaxes, and misidentifications. For example, the Camp Fircom carcass, another “Caddy” body found in 1936, was later suspected to be a collection of beach debris arranged to resemble a sea monster.

The Debate Among Scientists and Cryptozoologists

The debate over Cadborosaurus has been contentious. Some scientists, like Dr. Paul LeBlond and Dr. Edward Bousfield, have championed the idea that Caddy represents an entirely new species of marine reptile. In 1995, they controversially published a paper formally naming it Cadborosaurus willsi. However, their methods were widely criticized, with accusations of “bad science” and confirmation bias.

Paleontologist Darren Naish and other skeptics argue that the various Caddy sightings likely represent different known animals rather than a single unknown species. Additionally, they question the reliability of anecdotal accounts and the lack of conclusive physical evidence.

Conclusion: Is Caddy Real?

The legend of Cadborosaurus is a fascinating mix of indigenous folklore, eyewitness accounts, scientific debate, and occasional hoaxes. While the idea of an undiscovered marine reptile is thrilling, the available evidence does not conclusively support its existence. Most sightings can be explained by known marine animals, and the much-publicized carcasses have all been identified as non-cryptid creatures.

That said, the ocean remains largely unexplored, and mysteries continue to surface from its depths. Whether Caddy is a real, undiscovered species or simply a case of mistaken identity, its legend is sure to endure, keeping the waters of the North Pacific just a little more mysterious.