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Jiangshi/Chiang-Shih/Kiang-Shi/Kuang-Shi
The Jiangshi are a form of undead creature from Chinese myth. They’re most often formed when someone dies from murder, hanging, drowning, suicide, or dying during the committing of a crime. It is believed they are the lesser of the two souls, called the p’o, that remains in the body after death. They have incredibly stiff bodies due to rigor mortis and have to hop around because of this. They’re believed to become stronger the longer they exist, with rigor mortis wearing off, and they would become smarter and more malicious. They can leap from massive distances and even learn how to fly. They have been known to appear as…
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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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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.
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Cricket-Mantis Aliens
The Cricket-Mantis Alien was sighted in January 2007. The witness woke up to a two-tone digital sound. He saw a large creature appear suddenly by a window. He compared the creature to a hybrid of a cricket or a mantis. Despite its strangeness, it invoked a strange feeling of comfort and recognition. It was seen with two flying disks circling each other around a central axis and glowing red, orange, and yellow. The witness then lost an hour and a half of time. Citations: Steiger, Brad, and Steiger, Sherry Hansen. Real Aliens, Space Beings, and Creatures from Other Worlds. United Kingdom, Visible Ink Press, 2011.
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Crazy Critter Of Bald Mountain
The Crazy Critter Of Bald Mountain is an alien that was sighted near Bald Mountain, Washington in 1974. It was described as being the size of a horse, covered in scales, with rubbery legs like tentacles. It had a head shaped like a football, and long antennae. It was also reported to give off an iridescent green glow. During the time of the sighting, there was a fiery UFO seen crashing to the ground in the nearby area. Citations: Marsh, Carole. Washington History!. United States, Gallopade International, 1996.
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Craqueuhhe
The Craqueuhhe is an undead creature from France. They were thought to be incredibly strong, virtually unstoppable and utterly immune to pain. These creatures could be formed when a person died who was unbaptized. They had waxy white skin, sunken eyes, and greasy hair with clods of dirt and maggots stuck in it. Their fingers were commonly ripped and torn from digging themselves out of their graves. They were capable of moving no matter how mutilated or decayed they were. They sustain themselves by eating flesh and drinking blood, and they will keep eating until their entire stomach is full. It was thought you would need a mob with consecrated weapons,…
