By Tim Binnall
The Loveland Frogman may soon receive a rather high honor, as Ohio lawmakers have introduced a bill to designate the "legendary and beloved amphibious creature" as the state's official cryptid. The surprising proposal was reportedly put forward last week by Reps. Tristan Rader and Jean Schmidt. Making the case for the creature to be Ohio's official cryptid, the bill notes that the bipedal being has inspired an array of books and documentaries and has drawn countless tourists to the community of Loveland, where it was first spotted in 1955 and again on two separate occasions in 1972. Ultimately, the proposal credits the Frogman with not only contributing to the local economy but also to the "unique cultural identity and oral history of this state."
In an accompanying statement released by the lawmakers, Rader mused that their effort "is about showcasing our communities. The Loveland Frog is uniquely Ohio. It reflects the stories we tell, the places we're proud of, and the creativity that makes our state worth celebrating." Should the bill pass through both chambers of the Ohio legislature and be signed into law, it would actually be the first time a creature managed to achieve official 'state cryptid' status, despite several other efforts in other locations. Lawmakers in California attempted something similar with Bigfoot in 2025, but the proposal stalled in the state legislature. Washington State also tried to claim Sasquatch as its official state cryptid in 2018 and 2019, but those efforts also failed to come to fruition.