Creature Feature: The Bunyip

The Bunyip is a mythical creature from Australia, thought to be part of Aboriginal legend. Physical descriptions of the creature vary widely. Some people claim that it has a dog-like face, a horses tail and that it’s covered in fur. Others describe something similar to a dinosaur with a long neck, claws, and scales. There are even claims that it has flippers and a set of long tusks.

It’s possible that the Bunyip is actually a fusion of several different creatures that once lived in the area. Many people believe that the Bunyip legend is based off the remains of the extinct Diprotodon, a large extinct marsupial.

If there’s one thing that people discussing the Bunyip agree on, it’s that this is one scary creature. It’s both feared and respected by the people of the area. Many aboriginal people try to avoid nearing water ways because it’s believed the Bunyip will come out and try and eat them and their children. It’s supposed to give off a loud cry when approached as a warning.

Whatever the Bunyip is, if you see it coming, you might want to go the other direction!

Sources

http://www.cryptozoology.com/cryptids/bunyip.php

http://www.eaudrey.com/myth/bunyip.htm

Creature Feature: Thunderbirds

Native American thunderbirds have been inspiring stories for ages. With their giant wingspans, magical abilities, and hints of symbolism it’s easy to see why they are so popular. But this creature, once limited to Native American mythology has been experiencing a revival as numerous people have come forward claiming to have seen a thunderbird.

So what exactly is a Thunderbird? Native stories vary among tribes but they are thought to be some sort of large bird or flying creature. Some tribes believe that they have the ability to create storms by flapping their enormous wings. Other tribes believe that certain humans could shape shift into the form of a bird. They are both feared and revered by the people that believe in them.

There’s a small group of people today that believe that Thunderbirds are actually pterodactyls that have some how survived and are maintaining a small population. Others think that Thunderbirds may actually be other common misidentified birds such as vultures or condors. The fact that it is difficult to estimate the size of things in the sky makes it hard to confirm the actual wingspan of any flying creature. And until someone comes forward with some good evidence of the Thunderbird it’s going to stay a legend.

Have you ever seen anything large flying in the sky you couldn’t identify? If so I want to hear about it!

Creature Feature: The Yeti

 

The Yeti, often referred to as the Abominable Snow man, is pretty much a household name. Movies, TV shows and books love to use this sometimes scary (and occasionally lovable) guy in their stories. And why not? He is pretty cute. With a coat of long white fur and facial features that are a cross between a bear and a monkey, it’s easy to see why he is so popular.

But the Yeti is based in real mythology. The people of the Himalayas have been talking about him for generations. And the Yeti is one mythological creature that actually sounds pretty plausible. There are so few people living in the Yeti’s territory that it’s possible that he could exists for years without a single human laying an eye on him. He’s also thought to be shy and reclusive, making the potential existence even more believable. There’s also been several well known cases of Yeti footprints discovered throughout the Himalayas, giving hope to all the Yeti enthusiasts out there.

Even with all the talk about them, there are still plenty of people that believe that the Yeti is nothing more than a misidentified bear. There are bears living in the area that are similar in size and stature, so it’s easy to see how one could be identified. Plus, mythology is not the most reliable sources of information. Stories can be passed down for generations and change every time the story is told. Maybe the creature the native people claim to see is just the product of story telling and confusion.

We may never really know for sure if the Yeti is really out there (unless someone brings back a live one) but that isn’t going to stop anyone from enjoying the tale of the Yeti.

Creature Feature: Rusalka

The Rusalka is a mythical creature that hails from parts of Eastern Europe. While there are many variations to their descriptions, they are mostly considered to be young, water-dwelling females with powers that help them lure and entrap men and children. The Rusalka are often compared to mermaids, nymphs, and demons.

Some versions of the Rusalka are beautiful with glowing green eyes.  Others are down-right frightening to look at. Often they are thought to be fond of singing and sometimes their voices have magical powers that help them entice people to come to them. While their origins vary, often times they are believed to be trapped or lost souls or women who died in or near water.

Many cultures around the world have created very similar mythologies, and the Rusalka mythology is no exception. Women were once viewed as both mysterious and potentially dangerous creatures in many places in the world. It was easy for people to create stories about them. An unusual or independent woman could be written off as some sort of supernatural being. And if someone couldn’t explain something, the supernatural was used to justify it. And with the unexplainable came the legends we’ve come to love, like the mysterious ladies of the water, the Rusalka.

Creature Feature: The Chupacabra

Few cryptids have gotten quite as much media attention as the Chupacabra. This mysterious creature has been terrifying people since the mid-nineties with its strange appearance and apparent love of blood. The legend started in Puerto Rico but has spread into Mexico and parts of the Southern United states.

There are two very different physical descriptions of the Chupacabra. The tradition Puerto Rican one is some sort of upright lizard with spikes down its back while the other is more similar to a hairless dog. Both versions are known for their ability to suck all the blood from their victims (usually livestock) and both are said to have large claws and fangs. A large number of farmers claim to fall victim to it after mysteriously loosing large numbers of animals during the night. The animals are found drained of blood with puncture wounds on the skin.

So what exactly is the Chupacabra? No one really knows. There were several creatures thought to be Chupacabras hanging around Texas several years ago but after testing it was discovered that the animals were simply coyotes or dogs suffering from mange. If you’ve seen photos of these creatures they are pretty scary looking-it’s easy to see how someone could mistake them for monsters. But there’s still little explanation for the original lizard-man Chupacabra stories. And there’s even less evidence to back them up. Maybe someday someone will come up with some compelling evidence for the Chupacabra but until then all we can do is wait. Or go looking for one (not recommended.)

If you are really interested in the Chupacabra legend there are several videos circling the internet claiming to show Chupacabras. While there’s no way to verify the credibility of the videos, they are fun to watch. Here are links to a couple of them.  Enjoy!

Chupacabra video

Cop camera Chupacabra

Creature Feature: The Ahool

Is it  bird? A Plane? Nope, it’s just an Ahool.

Some of you may be wondering just what an Ahool is. It’s one of the less common cryptids, and generally thought to be a giant bat spotted throughout Java. It has grey fur, large claws and loves to snack on fish it catches in local rivers. Its name comes from the sound it makes and most locals really believe it exists.

It’s not terribly far fetched for people to be spotting giant flying creatures above them. Several large birds, including large owls, live in Java. It’s easy to misidentify something spotted above you. Estimating distances from the ground is no easy task. Add a dark night and a scary sound and you have yourself a legend.

And, just maybe, there really is a large bat hanging around. It wouldn’t be the first surprise nature has thrown at us. Real or not, the Ahool has people watching the skies, searching for something unknown.

Coleman, Loren and Clark, Jerome. Crypto-zoology A to Z. The Encyclopedia of Loch Ness Monsters, Sasquatch, Chupacabras, and Other Authentic Mysteries of Nature. New York. Fireside. 1999

Creature Feature: Zombies!

Right now zombies are everywhere. Or at least it feels like it. TV,movies, the radio, books… you just can’t seem to escape them. They are slowly taking over, just as zombies should. So what’s our great fascination with these things? Essentially, they’re just hungry humans. Hungry humans that want to eat other humans. So why is everyone so obsessed with them?

Honestly, I think part of the appeal is that we know we are superior to them. You can’t help but watch a zombie movie without planning some sort of brilliant escape or zombie attack plan. For the most part, they are easy to kill. Who doesn’t like an easy target when you’re holding a rifle (or bow, or flame thrower?)  It’s fun to try and outsmart a monster and zombies aren’t too difficult to outsmart.

They also give us an easy way to excuse otherwise gratuitous violence. I had to chop his head of or he would have eaten me mentality is totally acceptable. And fun.

Zombies make us feel fast, because they are soo slow. They make us feel smart because they are so unintelligent. And they make us feel good because they are so bad.

Creature Feature: Fairies

Fairies have been fascinating people long before Grimm’s Fairy Tales sat on everyone’s bookshelves. Sometimes referred to as the fey, fairies have somewhat uncertain beginnings. It’s believed their rooted in Eastern European folklore but the original source is unknown. There are hundreds of legends associated with them. Modern Victorian fairies are depicted as beautiful (but small) women with flowing wings but earlier fairies often had much darker tendencies.

Early fairies were often associated with the dead and were known for being mischievous. They would play tricks on whoever crossed their path and liked to bite. The early fairies were often wingless, and looked to be the same size as regular humans. There were all sorts of legends on how to keep them away using herbs, or occasionally iron because no one wanted to run into one.

Many cultures had their own legends about where fairies came from. Some claimed they were angels who had been locked out of heaven; others believed them to be demons. There’s also a belief that the fairies were originally a group of humans forced into hiding during a war. With their destruction came the legends we know today.

No matter where the legend started, they are certainly alive today in most modern cultures. People love the idea that something else could be out there, and a small number of people adamantly believe that fairies really do exist. Even if fairies no longer live in our forests and hills, they live on in our stories, our imaginations, and our hearts.

Creature Feature: The Mothman

On December 15, 1967 the Silver Bridge in Point Pleasant, West Virginia collapsed. The tragedy, which killed dozens of people, attracted press from all over. The press wasn’t coming just to learn about the accident but to cover strange reports of an unusual creature seen by several people shortly before the collapse.

Witnesses claimed to see something with glowing red eyes, gigantic wings, and an almost human shape. There were also claims that the creature made a terrifying screeching sound. Some people believed that the people involved were actually misidentifying large birds or animals. Others claimed that the Mothman was the result of a government experiment gone wrong. Many local residents thought the Mothman was trying to warn people about the disaster.

The mystery of the Mothman has never been solved. And people are claiming to see Mothman-like creatures at the sites of other major tragedies. These sightings have lead to theories that the Mothman is some sort of omen, or angel of death.



 Image by Marcus

Whatever the Mothman is, it’s got people asking questions. Mothman enthusiasts still visit the town in search of answers and Point Pleasant has become popular gathering spot for lovers of the paranormal, even though sightings in the area have mostly ended. Maybe one day the Mothman will make another appearance and we will get some answers.

Creature Feature: The Yeren

This Chinese primate has been stirring up controversy for centuries. While some think it’s a descendant of Gigantopithecus others believe it to be more of a mythical creature tied to the magic rooted tradition of China. It could simply be an unidentified primate that’s stayed mostly hidden from human eyes. It’s said to have reddish or occasionally white hair and be mostly peaceful. It’s a bit smaller than the American Bigfoot as well. Most of the knowledge about the Yeren comes from stories and personal sightings of the creature.

People all over the world continue to see strange primates in the wild. Maybe they really are seeing these creatures. I’d love for someone to come forward with some compelling evidence of their existence. But it’s also possible that people are seeing what they want to see-another creature like them. People will continue to pass the stories of these ape-like creatures to others over the years and they will live on in the legends and stories we tell. And why not? Those stories are a lot of fun. They give us something to hope for, something to search for. And we’re going to keep searching.

Creature Feature: The Djinn

The Djinn (or Jinn) are creatures rooted in Arabian folklore.  They are the basis for the modern genie, although the original creatures are usually much darker in nature, sometimes being referred to as demons. They are also mention in the Qu’ran and are taught in Islam to be creatures similar to humans in their ability to choose from right and wrong. Said to be created by Allah from smokeless flame, the Djinn are often portrayed as mischievous beings who constantly try to trick humans into getting into trouble. The Djinn are also capable of shifting forms but because they abide to the physical laws of their form, they tend to not stay in one shape for long.

What makes the Djinn interesting is that it’s believed they will be held accountable for their actions. Giving a supernatural creature an element of accountability and humanity makes it easier for us to relate to them. If they have to choose between right and wrong, they can’t be that much different from us. Except for, of course, all their cool super abilities.

There are still many people who believe in the existence of the Djinn, much as many Christians believe in the existence of angels and demons. And really, there’s not a huge difference. Both religions believe in the creation of inhuman beings that serve some greater function in the scheme of things. And both Christian demons and the Islamic Djinn will ultimately have to pay some price for their actions. Their existence is a reminder that out actions matter. And sooner or later those actions are going to catch up with us.

Creature Feature: The Wendigo

The Wendigo is a creature rumored to exist in some tribes native to North America. Supposedly the Wendigo is a cannibal, a human turned beast, whose hunger for flesh can’t be controlled. It lives a solitary existence in the forest and is often associated with cold, barren climates. Its appearance ranges from close to human, with leathery skin to almost wolf-like and covered with a coat of dark hair. It’s also reported to look thin and skeletal.

It isn’t just some random monster to be feared though. Ultimately, it represents what can be come of someone if they do something unthinkable-eat human flesh. The Wendigo is especially scary because at least part of it is human.  It’s the physical representation of the dark side in us.

Monsters and fantasy creatures often serve important teaching roles in society about what is (and isn’t) acceptable.  Just as we tell children to behave so that boogey man won’t get them, the tribes told each other not to consume human flesh so they wouldn’t turn into horrible beasts. In times of famine and starvation, it was important that people didn’t turn on each other. The Wendigo legend helped prevent them from seeing each other as a food source.

Beyond being a creature of legend, there are still people who believe the Wendigo exists. There have been numerous sightings of a bigfoot like creature in Minnesota attributed to the Wendigo. The Wendigo has also been thought to be responsible for several disappearances in the woods. Even if this monster is little more than a local legend, it’s fun to think of the possibility of it lurking through the forest, as long as you don’t have to run into it.

Creature Feature: Vampires and why we (still) love them

I want to start doing a regular feature that discusses a creature from legends, folklore, or crypto zoology. Here's the first in the series! I'm starting with a classic but I hope to focus more on relatively unkown creatures in the future.

Vampires have become more than just a legend in today’s world. They’re everywhere you look. On tv. On bookshelves. Even on the forgotten world of radio. It’s hard not to notice something that has taken over so much of popular culture. Everybody is talking about them and they aren’t showing any signs of going away any time soon. But why are they so popular? Why is it that vampires are truly proving their immortality? Let’s take a look.

-Vampires are able to violate every rule of society and usually get away with it. Murder? No problem! Unbelievable supernatural abilities like shape-shifting and flying? Why not? They get to do all the cool stuff we wish we could get away with. We mere humans know we will never get away with much of anything so it’s fun to live through a world where rules are meant to be broken.

-They symbolize so many different things it can be hard to keep up. This is great because it means they appeal to people for different reasons. They can be symbols or immortality, divinity, addiction, sexuality, and death, just to name a few. Vampires are whatever we want them to be. Which brings me to my next point.

-Vampires are constantly changing. They have evolved with the times, morphing from the image of death to a creature known for its beauty and strength. Sure, there are still plenty of dark, violent vampire stories out there but the ones that illuminate the internal struggle of misunderstood creatures are immensely popular. People want the hope that even evil can change sides. And today’s vampire lore is giving them that hope. As long as vampires continue to change with the times, they aren’t going anywhere.