Altamaha-ha

{{Short description|Legendary creature in folklore from Georgia, US}}

{{Use American English|date = September 2019}}

{{Use mdy dates|date = September 2019}}

{{Infobox mythical creature

|name = Altamaha-ha

|image =

|caption =

|Grouping = River monster

|Sub_Grouping =

|AKA = Altie

|Similar_entities = Loch Ness Monster, Ogopogo, Champ

|Country = United States

|Region = Georgia

|Details = Aquatic

}}

In Georgia folklore, the Altamaha-ha (or Altie) is a legendary creature, alleged to inhabit the myriad small streams and abandoned rice fields near the mouth of the Altamaha River (after which it is named) in southeastern Georgia.{{cite news|title=CLOSER LOOK AT ... State's 'Altie' tale|last=Vivlamore|first=Barbara|date=August 29, 2006|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|pages=4E}} Sightings are particularly reported around Darien and elsewhere in McIntosh County.{{cite news|title=eMETRO|last=Crenshaw|first=Holly|date=February 26, 2001|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|pages=2B}}

According to The Brunswick News, the legend has its roots in Muscogee tradition.{{Cite news|url=https://thebrunswicknews.com/news/local_news/mcintosh-showcases-a-new-mascot/article_1c0699be-c747-5100-943b-5232f3c44c73.html|title=McIntosh showcases a new mascot|last=Ferguson|first=Anna|date=May 13, 2009|work=The Brunswick News|access-date=May 22, 2018|language=en}} An alligator gar has been proposed as being a possible identity for recent sightings attributed to the creature.{{cite web|url=https://news.tulane.edu/news/altie-monster-or-fish|title=Is the "Altie" a monster or fish?|author1=Nead|first=Arthur|date=July 16, 2014|website=Tulane News|publisher=Tulane University|language=en|accessdate=April 2, 2017}}

In 2018, decomposing remains were found on a beach in the Wolf Island National Wildlife Refuge, causing speculation that it may be the body of an Altamaha-ha.{{cite web|url=https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/03/mysterious-sea-creature-washes-ashore-georgia-monster-spd/?user.testname=none|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019163933/https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/03/mysterious-sea-creature-washes-ashore-georgia-monster-spd/?user.testname=none|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 19, 2018|title=Strange Sea Creature Washes Ashore, Stumps Scientists|last1=Gibbens|first1=Sarah|date=March 21, 2018|website=National Geographic|accessdate=October 19, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/the-legendary-altamaha-monster-wasnt-found-off-the-georgia-coast-heres-why-its-a-hoax/77-533319231|title=The legendary Altamaha monster wasn't found off the Georgia coast; here's why it's a hoax|last1=Anderson|first1=Bethany|date=March 29, 2018|website=firstcoastnews.com|accessdate=October 19, 2018}} Performance artist Zardulu later claimed responsibility for the remains, which were created out of a stuffed shark and papier-mâché.{{cite web|url=http://valdostatoday.com/in-other-news/2018/09/georgia-coast-altamaha-ha-monster-discovery-a-hoax/|title=Georgia Coast Altamaha-Ha Monster Discovery a Hoax|date=September 26, 2018|website=Valdosta Today|accessdate=October 19, 2018}}

Paleoartist, Rick Spears, created a sculpture of Altamaha-ha,{{cite web | title=Altie History Part 1: An Interview with Rick Spears | website=MonsterTalk | date=September 3, 2023 | url=https://www.monstertalk.org/altie-history-part-1-an-interview-with-rick-spears/ | access-date=September 15, 2023}} which is on display at the Darien-McIntosh County Visitor Center in Darien, Georgia.{{cite web | title=Our Sea Monster | website=discoverdarien.com – Discover Darien, Small Town Georgia | date=June 20, 2021 | url=https://discoverdarien.com/our-sea-monster/ | access-date=September 15, 2023}}