Old Briney, The Great Brine Shrimp

The Great Brine Shrimp, also known as “Old Briney,” is a lake monster cryptid said to inhabit the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Unlike the tiny Artemia found in pet stores, this creature is described as an enormous, mutated version of a brine shrimp. 

Key Characteristics & Lore

• Size & Appearance: Descriptions range from the size of a large dog to a horse, with some reports claiming it reaches lengths of up to 20 feet. It is often depicted as an amphibious crustacean with a thick exoskeleton and sharp mouth parts.
• Origin Stories: Local folklore suggests several reasons for its massive size:
  • Mutation: Exposure to mysterious compounds or radiation.
  • Diet: Eating special algae or even the legendary Great Salt Lake Whales.
  • Evolution: Some theories suggest it is a living fossil, possibly a descendant of the prehistoric Anomalocaris.
• Behavior: It is described as a deadly predator capable of breathing both in and out of the water, occasionally ambushing land creatures. 

Media and Cultural Impact

The cryptid gained significant popularity following the 1976 independent horror film The Giant Brine Shrimp by local filmmaker Mike Cassidy. Sightings of other Great Salt Lake mysteries, such as the North Shore Monster, are sometimes attributed to this giant shrimp.