Mishibizhiu

The mishibizhiu or underwater lynx, or simply water lynx, is a horned feline with spikes down its back and long tail. Their tails can grow long and be controlled with such finesse they are taken to be snakes attached to the lynx. It is one of the most common cats in the Northeastern Woodlands and Great Lakes region of North America, the highest concetration of them being on Michipecoten Island in Lake Superior. It is the most powerful magical creature of the region. They are the masters of all water creatures and snakes, able to command and lead them. Along with the spirits of the area, they defend the native copper deposits in Lake Superior from voracious miners.

Water lynx are always in conflict with thunderbirds, the creatures that rule the skies of North America. They live in the depeest parts of lakes and rivers where they cause storms. Mishibizhiu are asked for safe passage across a lake—they may understand the tone and body language of the supplicant, but the wise ones among them know and my choose to be protective.

Their hair is extremely alchemically powerful.

Name
Mishibizhiw, mishipeshu, msibissi, missibizi; nampeshiu, nambiza, et al. meaning 'great lynx'.

Gichi-anami'e-bizhiw or gichianami'ebizhiu meaning 'greatly revered lynx'.

These are the names from the languages of the Anishinaabe, Odaawaa, Neshnabé (Bodéwadmi), and Innu.

The Myaamiaki and Iliniwek call them lenapizha, the 'true lynx', or aramipinchiwa 'underlynx'.

Underwater lynx or underwater wildcat.

Most commonly and erroneously referred to as the "underwater panther".

Meta
May have been inspired by the American cheetah, North American jaguar, and/or scimitar cats (saber-toothed cats) encountered during the first migrations into the Americas. Thus the underwater lynx would be embellished cultural memory of such a cat.

Lynx are spotted with fur that protrudes from their ears, looking like horns. When its fur is wet it would clump up and that could, in fact, be what was originally depicted. The tail would have to have come from conflation with the American cheetah or an actual or fictional reptile.

The Fort Ancient mound in Granville, Ohio, might be a depiction of the underwater lynx.