Tradition: Muisca mythology, Colombian Mythology
Alternative names: Devil Whale
Category: Whale, Cow
The Myth
Lake Tota, near Sogamoso in present-day Boyacá, Colombia, was considered sacred by the ancient Muisca people. According to their traditions, the lake was inhabited by a terrifying monster.
The creature was described as a huge black fish, said to be larger than a whale. It possessed the head of a bull, giving it a particularly strange and frightening appearance. Because of its enormous size and terrifying nature, the creature was also known as the “Devil Whale.”
The monster was believed to dwell within Lake Tota, a vast natural lake that was an important sacred place to the Muisca.
Sources
“Five Mystical Colombian Lakes.” Colombia.co. Accessed August 29, 2026. https://colombia.co/en/colombia-country/geography-and-environment/five-mystical-colombian-lakes