The legendary creature said to inhabit the deep waters of Lake Como in Italy is known as "Larrie," or more formally, the Lariosauro. The myth began in earnest in 1946 when witnesses claimed to see a creature several meters long with scales and reddish skin near the shores of Pian di Spagna. The name "Lariosauro" is actually derived from Lariosaurus balsami, a prehistoric reptile whose fossilized remains were discovered near the lake in the 19th century. While the actual Lariosaurus was a relatively small marine reptile that lived during the Triassic period—roughly 235 million years ago—the modern legend has grown to describe a much larger, plesiosaur-like monster similar to Scotland's Nessie. Skeptics and scientists suggest that sightings are likely misidentifications of large sturgeons, which can grow to impressive lengths, or simply optical illusions caused by the lake's unique thermal currents and boat wakes. Despite the lack of scientific evidence, "Larrie" remains a popular piece of local folklore, appearing in souvenirs and stories told to tourists visiting the beautiful, deep-blue waters of Northern Italy.