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Steipereidur
The Steipereidur is a form of sea monster from medieval times. They’re described as a gentle and tame form of whale, that fought other sea monsters who endangered fishermen. They measure at least 100 cubits (roughly 147 feet) in length and have the scientific name “Balænopetra sibbaldi.” It was forbidden to hunt this creature, but it was thought their meat tastes like beef. Citations: Carpenter, Alfred, and Wilson-Barker, David. Nature Notes for Ocean Voyagers: Being Personal Observations Upon Life in “the Vasty Deep” and Fishes, Birds, and Beasts Seen from a Ship’s Deck; with Popular Chapters on Weather, Waves, and Legendary Lore. United Kingdom, C. Griffin, limited, 1915. Jenkins, James…
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Squonk
The Squonk is a sad creature from Lumberjack Folklore. They can be found most commonly in Pennsylvania. They have loose, wrinkly skin covered in moles and warts. They only travel at dusk and at night, and they constantly cry because of their ugly appearance. They can be found if hunters follow the paths left by their tears. When captured or cornered, they cry so much that their body dissolves. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Speedemon
The Speedemon is a creature from Lumberjack Folklore. It has the “scientific” name Rapidusdemonicus dorsonae. They have round bodies with five legs. They love chasing around small animals just for fun. They can often be heard in the evening spinning around as if in a cartwheel. They are thought to be incredibly hard to spot because of their rapid speed. Citations: Yarns of the Big Woods, Written and Illustrated by Art Childs
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Specs
Specs is a cryptid and possible Lazarus taxon. It was sighted in Florida in 1959. It was seen in a large underwater cave at about 35 feet deep. It was reported to have a cylindrical body measuring five and a half feet long, eight spiny legs, and stood three feet off the sea floor. It had a pointed head with stalks that have brown spotted eyes the size of silver dollars on the end. It was called Specs by the press due to a team going back to try to get ‘specs’ on the creature. It has been compared to the Spiny Lobster, or the Japanese Spider Crab, both being…
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South River Sprinting Alien
The South River Sprinting Alien became known 10 years after it was encountered. It was described in a letter from the witness dated November 2, 1973, and was sent to Dr. J. Allen Hynek who was the Chairman of the Department of Astronomy at Northwestern University. The letter was put aside due to countless sightings occurring and not addressed until April 1975. Ted Brocher with the assistance of Hynek and the Center for UFO Studies, contacted the witness for an interview. The witness had a degree in forestry and chose to remain anonymous. He crossed the South River and had his encounter at 11 pm. He was driving on South…
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Snow Wasset/Snow Wassit
The Snow Wasset is a creature from Lumberjack Folklore. They live in Canada and spend winter in the great lakes region and hibernate in the summer. During hibernation their hair turns green and curly, and they grow small legs to make burrows in cranberry bogs. They emerge from hibernation after the first snowfall and move through the snow like a porpoise. They hunt in packs to catch and consume grouse, rabbits, and when in desperate situations, wolves. They are known to have voracious appetites and are thought to be four times more dangerous than a wolverine. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United…
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Wendigo
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Slide Rock Bolter
The Slide Rock Bolter is a creature from Lumberjack Folklore which are said to be found in Colorado. They live in mountains on inclines of at least 45 degrees. They have large heads, small eyes, mouths like a sculpin (a kind of fish) and tails with two tail flippers shaped like hooks. They anchor themself at the top of mountains and wait for people to pass underneath. When this happens, they drool down the mountain and slide down this saliva to consume their prey. After is slides down, it uses its momentum to slide up the next mountain and latch itself on to repeat the process. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia…
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Skrat
The Skrat is a form of ghost from Scandinavian myth and a variation of the Myling. They toy with people at night, typically appearing at midnight and especially during the winter. They are known to hang on sledges and make the horses tired from the added weight. Once the horse is tired, the Skrat disappears while laughing. They have horse-like laughs and if someone finds treasure, the laugh of the Skrat can make it vanish. Citations: Northern Mythology: Comprising the Principal Popular Traditions and Superstitions of Scandinavia, North Germany, and the Netherlands. United Kingdom, E. Lumley, 1851.
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Skovtrolde
The Skovtrolde are creature from the myths of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. They are trolls found only in the densest areas of the woods, and their name fittingly means “wood trolls.” They’re malicious creatures who constantly try to hurt humans. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Fairies in World Folklore and Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2013. Keightley, Thomas. The world guide to gnomes, fairies, elves, and other little people. United States, Avenel Books, 1978.
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Sköll
Sköll is a giant wolf from Norse mythology. His name means “repulsion” and he chases the sun trying to devour it. He is a son of Fenrir and is paired with his brother Hati. The giantess Iarnsaxa feeds him the marrow from adulterers and murderers. Eclipses are caused when he or his brother nearly succeed, and people would make loud noise to scare them off. It is thought that at Ragnarok both will succeed and devour the celestial bodies, setting off three years of winter. Citations: Dougherty, Martin J.. Norse Myths: Viking Legends of Heroes and Gods. United Kingdom, Amber Books Ltd, 2016. Guerber, Hélène Adeline. Myths of the Norsemen:…
