The Elusive
           Rock Nest Monster
By JAMES S. LEE, Ph.D.
Photographs by JIM LEE

nest      A recently discovered clutch of Rock Nest Monster eggs. This clutch is located beside a trail near the Eno River in Durham County, NC                                       Photo by Jim Lee

There has never been a reliable sighting of the elusive Rock Nest Monster (Cryptogorgo petronidus).  This creature is known only from its nests, distinctive clusters of large rocks arranged in a way to contain as many as twenty spherical porcelain-like eggs.  Each egg is about 9 cm (3.5in.) in diameter. They range in color from mottled browns to light greens. The texture varies from glass-like smoothness to a distinctly dimpled surface. The monster is assumed to be reptilian since the nests are not incubated in any way. In fact they are not even thermo-regulated by burial. The eggs are left exposed to the elements. In addition, the nests themselves are left unguarded. Therefore it is more likely to be among the Testudinae than the Crocodilians. The nests are found in man-made and naturally occurring rock piles.

     The specimen nest shows no signs of the nesting material having been dragged or pushed into position. None of the surrounding rocks show scrape marks or other evidence of having been moved. The nest rocks have clearly been carefully placed, one at a time by the nest builder. C. petronidus  may have one or more prehensile appendages capable of picking up and placing large rocks. Alternatively, they may use their mouths. This idea has less currency, however, because of the likely damage that large rocks would cause to the creature's dentition. In any event it is unlikely that C. petronidus is capable of carrying the nesting rocks very far away from the source pile. There are no records of freestanding nests. All have been incorporated into existing rock pile formations.



64

    Attempts at x-ray of the eggs have proven futile. It appears that the porcelain-like shell contains substantial amounts of lead. Likewise, acoustic measurements have yielded nothing. It is possible that some detectable vibrations may occur as the embryos mature. The relative rarity of the eggs has made scientists reluctant to open even one for DNA testing and other examinations that might shed light on the animal’s form and evolution. Egg predation does not appear to be a problem mainly because of the extremely hard shell of the eggs. The eggs are thought to have limited permeability to gases and liquids.

    Little is known of C. petronidus’ diet or habitat. The lack of animal carcasses in its known range would seem to indicate it is herbivorous. If carnivorous, they most likely feed on carrion. The lack of any fecal traces on land would seem to indicate the animals spend most of their time in the nearby waters of the Eno River where they probably feed as well.
       The Eno River in Durham, NC. This placid scene is thought to be a typical habitat of the Rock Nest Monster.                                                                            Photo by Jim Lee

Cryptogorgo petronidus may be identical to the previously identified Argentarborus sinensis or Chinese Money Tree Monster. In the southern US, the common name is Chinese Dollar Tree Monster. The name derives from the ready availability of porcelain spheres from the Dollar Tree stores common in many southern states. The Dollar Tree porcelain spheres, all made in China, bear a remarkable resemblance to the eggs of C. petronidus. The Rock Nest Monster may also be related to the equally elusive Rock Less Monster (Cryptogorgo anapetrus Duchampi), found in and around Paris, France.
          
                                                                 (Continued on page  99) 

                                         National Cryptozoologic, June 2004