The Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp: Story and Facts

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The Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp is a story told about Scape Ore Swamp, near Bishopville, Lee County. Vote believe it or no way, then see what 2 named sources say is documented.

WhereScape Ore Swamp, near BishopvilleLee County, Pee Dee
KindLegendnot a ranking
Sources2named, linked below
CheckedOct 262026

Collected 0 of 21All legends

Local legend. Not confirmed. Just for fun.

No. 19 of 21

The Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp

In the summer of 1988 a green, scaly creature about seven feet tall, with red eyes and three toes, was said to prowl the swamp near Bishopville. A teenager told of being chased, a couple's car was found scratched and chewed, and soon crowds came looking.

What Is Actually True

The South Carolina Encyclopedia records the 1988 reports, the national coverage (including CBS Evening News by August 14) and a radio station's joking $1 million reward; the creature itself was never found. The Post and Courier (July 22, 2022) reports that a former deputy has said he played a raccoon call over a patrol-car speaker in 1988 to scare off thrill-seekers, that one man's claim to have shot it was later admitted to be made up, and that the South Carolina Cotton Museum in Bishopville shows footprint casts taken that summer. Bishopville now holds a Lizard Man festival.

Sources: South Carolina Encyclopedia – Lizard Man; Post and Courier – Return of the Lizard Man (July 22, 2022).

A note: Do not name the 1988 teenager, the deputy, or the farmer rumored locally; the Post and Courier says the teenager was later killed. Do not point to private land in the swamp. Cotton Museum URL not read, so left blank.

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Where do these facts come from?

From the named sources listed on this page: South Carolina Encyclopedia – Lizard Man; Post and Courier – Return of the Lizard Man (July 22, 2022).

Sources

Read on October 26, 2026. Stories are for fun; the facts come from these sources. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.

Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “The Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp”, itssouthcarolina.com/things-to-do/south-carolina-legends/lizard-man-scape-ore-swamp/ (updated 2026-10-26). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.