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Deogen/De Ogen
After much research, I have concluded that Deogen lacks any reliable sources, and is likely fabricated. Despite no clear documentation in an official capacity, Deogen is recounted in various locations with many of the same details being shared. I have compiled information from the various unreliable sources and presented them with the context that this is likely a situation akin to fakelore rather than genuine folklore. Deogen is a ghost and urban legend from Brussels, specifically the Sonian Forest in Belgium. They appear as green fog or shadow figures. Their name means “the eyes” as this is how they commonly appear. They were recounted in a book called De Kinderen…
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Deadoendjadases
Deadoendjadases is from Seneca myth. He was a cannibalistic monster that lived with his three witch sisters. They collected human flesh and pounded green corn for him to eat. Their longhouse was surrounded by a strawberry field and was guarded by Hadjoqda’s inflated skin. He was eventually killed by a boy from the Turkey clan. Then the boys clan along with the Quail and Partridge clans moved into the strawberry field. Citations: Sullivan, Irene F., and Gill, Sam D.. Dictionary of Native American Mythology. United Kingdom, Oxford University Press, 1994.
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Das-Adder/Dassie-Adder
The Das-Adder is a cryptid from the Drakensberg Mountains in South Africa. It’s name combines the local name for the hyrax “dassie” and the adder. They have heads resembling a hyrax, bodies like a snake, skin around the ears folded into crests, and a red and yellow striped tail measuring two feet in length. They have incredibly strong venom and are thought to be capable of luring in prey with a hypnotic stare. Citations: Eberhart, George M.. Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology. United Kingdom, ABC-CLIO, 2002.
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Dard/Cat-Headed Snake
The Dard is a strange cryptid from Europe. Its name means “forked tongue” in French. They’re lizard-like creatures with cat heads, four legs, viper tails, and horse manes running down their backs. They are known to bite viciously when provoked, but have no venom. They are known to hiss very loudly and consume milk from cows. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Eberhart, George M.. Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology. United Kingdom, ABC-CLIO, 2002.
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Dakhanavar/Dashnavar
The Dakhanavar is an evil mountain spirit from Armenian myth. They are believed to live in remote areas around Mount Ararat, where it lurks up trees or hides inside hollow trees. They lie in wait, watching for victims to walk by and then follows those victims until they go to sleep. They often target campers but in desperate situations may sneak into homes or remote inns to find prey. They are also known to attack any who attempt to map the region, even just counting the hills, due to the fear they may lose their hiding spots. They creep up to sleeping humans and drain their blood from their toes…
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El Cuero/El Bien Peinado
El Cuero is from South America, Lago Lacar, and the Andes mountains. It is a monstrous octopus. It has claws at the end of each of its tentacle and a bulbous head with large ears covered in eyes. These eyes can change at will. The large eyes see great distances and the smaller eyes see into small dark crevices. Its name El Cuero translates to “cow hide” due to skin resembling cowhide. The name El Bien Peinado translates to “the smooth headed one”. It attacks on land and in the water. The strange tracks of the creature have been seen. Citations: Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural…
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Cucuy/Cucui
El Cucuy is a bogeyman figure from Mexico and other Spanish speaking areas. It is usually described as a small creature hiding in closets and under beds, but could be described simply as a scary person or beast. It can be identified by its glowing red eyes that can be seen in the dark. It is considered most dangerous to those out at night. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Herrera-Sobek, María. Celebrating Latino Folklore: An Encyclopedia of Cultural Traditions. United Kingdom, ABC-CLIO, 2012.
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Cuco
The Cuco is a Hispanic and Lusophone form of bogeyman. They take children if they don’t go to sleep on time. They are sometimes believed to be the male version of a creature called the Coca. The Cuco has inconsistent representation, but is often depicted with a jack o lantern. The female version, the Coca, was the linguistic origin of the coconut, as they were hairy and had holes resembling a face. 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. Landy, David. Tropical…
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Le Croque-Mitaine
Le Croque-Mitaine is a bogeyman from France. Its name means “hand cruncher” or “mitten biter.” It is unclear as to what it is. Some guesses are a fairy, one of the Fates, a goblin, or a cat-like humanoid who is sporadically savage and sly. It grinds its teeth. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Cropsey/Cropsey Maniac
Cropsey is an urban legend of a serial killer from New York State. Supposedly he started as a respected member of the community, but then started stalking and killing campers to get revenge for the accidental death of a family member. He was initially seen as an ax murderer but later viewed as some undead person. It’s thought he eludes the police in life and death. Citations: de Vos, Gail. What Happens Next? Contemporary Urban Legends and Popular Culture. United Kingdom, ABC-CLIO, 2012.
