If relaxation, sun and sand, or sightseeing just don’t excite you, Traveling in Search of Mythical Creatures may be for you. Okay, probably not, but reading about a few of the world’s cryptozoological inhabitants might whet your whistle, or it could just totally creep you out. [main image – gerrrtrudicus’ photostream]
Kapre – the Philippines
Kapre (also known as Agta) is a Philippine mythical creature that could be characterized as a tree demon, but with more human characteristics. The tall brown, hairy male with a beard likes to dwell in big trees are not necessarily considered to be evil. When in the Philippines, you might find a Kapre willing to offer you friendship, but beware of him falling in love with you, if a Kapre befriends any human, especially because of love, the kapre will consistently follow its “love interest” throughout life.
Chupacabra – Latin America and beyond
While descriptions vary widely, the deadly goat-sucking Chupacabra is sometimes described as a winged monkey, six to eight feet tall, with long, clawed arms and hideous fangs. Other eyewitnesses have stated that the creature is a flying rodent or a species of kangaroo. Frequently spotted in Puerto Rico, the Chupacabra has also reportedly struck in Texas, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Chupacabras could be cousins of the world’s only vampire bats, three species of which live in parts of Mexico, Central America, and South America. [image -spiron]
The Bray Road Beast – Wisconsin, United States
The Beast of Bray Road (or the Bray Road Beast) was first reported in the 1980s on a rural road outside of Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Though the same name has been applied to any unknown creature from southern Wisconsin or northern Illinois that is described as having similar characteristics to those reported in the initial set of sightings. Bray Road itself is a quiet country road that was flooded with a rash of claimed sightings in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Jersey Devil – New Jersey, United States
The Jersey Devil, sometimes called the Leeds Devil, is a legendary creature or cryptid said to inhabit the Pine Barrens in southern New Jersey. The creature is often described as a flying biped with hooves, but there are many variations. After giving birth to her 12th child, Mother Leeds stated that if she had another, it would be the Devil. In 1735, she gave birth to her 13th child, who later changed form. It growled and screamed, then killed the midwife before flying up the chimney. [image – museum of hoaxes]
Mothman – West Virginia, United States
Between November 12, 1966 and December 15, 1967, Mothman terrorized citizens in the Point Pleasant area of West Virginia. It was said to have been encountered by at least 100 people over the course of that year. The creature has been reported to be roughly man-shaped, either grey or brown, and between five and seven feet tall. Slightly wider than man, the Mothman did not appear to have a head, but rather its glowing red eyes were set on the upper chest.
Yowie – Australia
Yowie is the term for an unidentified hominid that supposedly lurks in the Australian wilderness. It is similar to the Himalayan Yeti and the North American Bigfoot. Reports of Yowies are common in the legends and stories of Australian Aboriginal tribes. During the 19th Century, Australia saw a wealth of sightings, thought reports have continued to the present day with the trail of evidence following the pattern familiar to most unidentified hominids around the world. [image – Anthony Wallis Illustration]
Loch Ness Monster – Scotland
No list of mythical creatures is complete without a reference to the world’s most famous. Nessie is thought to be a large aquatic animal resembling a serpent or a plesiosaur like reptile. Reported to have been seen in the waters of Loch Ness, Scotland, but not proved to exist, her legend goes back to the 6th century. [image – listoplenty]
Water Leaper – Wales
Llamhigyn Y Dwr, commonly referred to as a ‘water leaper’, is a Welsh monster of ponds, swamps and lakes. It is said to have the limbless body of a frog, a long lizard tail and wings resembling those of a bat. Its nickname comes from the way it uses its wings to leap out the water and glide forth. The Water Leaper is carnivorous, making it a pest among fisherman communities. It reeks havoc by snapping fishing lines, eating livestock and sometimes attacking humans. [image – forteanzoology]
Bigfoot – North America
Bigfoot, another mythological favorite, is a very large, hairy, humanoid creature from North American folklore reported to inhabit wilderness areas of the U.S. and Canada, especially the Pacific Northwest. Also, known as Big Foot, Sasquatch,The Abominable Snowman, or Yeti, it also claimed that Bigfoot is omnivorous and mainly nocturnal.
Mngwa – Africa
The Mngwa or Nunda in the Swahili language, means “the strange one.” Legend has it that this mythical cat is stronger than a lion and deadlier than a leopard. It moves silently, comes out to kill humans, and then disappears. The Mngwa’s fur is dark gray with black stripes, like that of a tabby cat. As far back as 700 years, leaders of native tribes have organized hunting parties to find the Mngwa, but came up empty. Expert trackers in more modern times have tried to track the beast with the same results.
All images and content courtesy of Mythical Creatures Guide, unless otherwise noted.