Part primeval crocodile, part fish and part toad, it was created by underworld deities MICTLANTECUHLTI AND MICTECACIHUATL. In Aztec mythology Cipactli's body, in its form as the world-toad TLALTECUHTLA, is torn apart by TEZCATLIPOCA and QUETZALCOATL to create the earth. It's not clear what gender Cipactli is. The creature is permanently hungry, every joint of its body featuring an extra mouth. In Mayan mythology Cipactli is a day, Imix in Aztec cosmology. The name of the Mayan earthquake demon, SIPAKNA, apparently derives from Cipactli, and Sipakna lives today in Highland Maya oral tradition as the demon Sipak. Sun-god TEZCATLIPOCA fought her, losing a foot in the process, though he tore off her lower jaw to prevent her sinking back under the earth. Mountain ridges are said to be her spine
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