Loveland Frogman
The Legend of the Loveland Frog: Ohio’s Most Mysterious Cryptid
A Bizarre Encounter in Loveland, Ohio
Ohio folklore is rich with strange creatures, but few are as perplexing as the Loveland Frog, also known as the Loveland Frogman or Loveland Lizard. This legendary, humanoid amphibian is said to stand about 4 feet tall, with leathery skin and frog-like features. First reported in 1955, its most famous sightings occurred in 1972—including an encounter with law enforcement that remains controversial to this day.
The First Reported Sightings (1955)
The earliest known sighting of the Loveland Frog dates back to May 1955 when a traveling businessman claimed to have seen three humanoid frog-like creatures standing near the road along the Little Miami River. According to the account, the creatures stood on their hind legs, had wrinkled, leathery skin, and one was said to wield a wand that emitted sparks—a detail that adds a supernatural element to the legend.
The 1972 Police Encounters
The legend took a serious turn in March 1972, when Loveland police officer Ray Shockey encountered a strange creature while driving along Riverside Drive. He described seeing an animal crouched like a frog before it suddenly stood upright and leapt over a guardrail towards the river. He estimated the creature was 3 to 4 feet tall and weighed between 50 and 75 pounds.
Two weeks later, another officer, Mark Matthews, claimed to have seen a similar creature in the same area. Unlike Shockey, Matthews shot at the creature, killing it. Upon closer inspection, he identified it as a large, tailless iguana, likely an escaped pet. Matthews later expressed frustration that the iguana explanation was ignored, fueling speculation that the creature was something more than just a misidentified reptile.
The 2016 Pokemon Go Sighting
Decades later, the Loveland Frog returned to the public eye when Sam Jacobs claimed to have spotted a large, bipedal frog near Lake Isabella while playing Pokémon Go in August 2016. He described it as a “giant frog” that suddenly stood up and walked on two legs. He even provided dark, grainy photos, though skeptics dismissed them as either a hoax or a case of mistaken identity.
Explanations and Skepticism
While believers argue that the Loveland Frog remains an unsolved cryptid mystery, skeptics offer more grounded explanations, including:
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Escaped Exotic Pets: Iguanas and large amphibians are sometimes released into the wild when they grow too big to care for. A tailless iguana could resemble the creature described.
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Misidentified Wildlife: Large bullfrogs, beavers, or even large herons might appear strange in poor lighting.
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Hoaxes and Folklore: Like many cryptid stories, the Loveland Frog legend may have evolved from embellished tales and hoaxes, with the “wand” detail adding a fantastical element.
The Loveland Frog in Pop Culture
Despite its murky origins, the Loveland Frog has gained a cult following, inspiring various adaptations:
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Musicals: Hot Damn! It’s the Loveland Frog! (2014) was a bluegrass musical that played at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival.
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Books & Films: The creature appeared in James Renner’s novel The Man From Primrose Lane, and in the 2024 horror film Frogman.
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Local Mascot: In 2023, Loveland adopted the Frogman as an official city mascot, dressing it as a frog prince for events.
Cryptid or Urban Legend?
The Loveland Frog remains one of Ohio’s strangest urban legends, captivating believers and skeptics alike. Whether it’s a misidentified iguana, a long-lost species, or a purely mythical creature, its legend persists—fueling curiosity, debate, and even local tourism.
Do you believe in the Loveland Frog? Or is this just another case of folklore run wild?