Photos of a bloated, hairless animal washed up on by a New York river have sparked debate over what the creature could be and whether it is related to the "Montauk Monster".
The creature was spotted under the Brooklyn Bridge by Denise Ginley, who sent photos of it to New York-based news website Gothamist on July 22.
Ms Ginley said the animal was about 60cm long from head to tail and asked: "Is this another incarnation of the Montauk Monster, or just the biggest rat in the city?"
Photos of the carcass, which Ms Ginley dubbed the "East River Monster", quickly spread throughout US media, with people suggesting it was a washed up rat until the New York City Parks Department claimed it was a pig.
But this was quickly disputed, with people pointing out the photos showed the creature had claws and not trotters like a pig.
The carcass has still not been identified, and Gawker jokingly reported that the New York City Parks Department was "still being cagey" about the animal.
Another unidentifiable animal, the Montauk Monster made headlines in July 2008 when it washed up on a beach in Montauk, northeast of New York.
At the time people suggested the creature was a raccoon, a small dog, a rat and even a bloated turtle without its shell.
News home