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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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Jersey Devil
The Jersey Devil is a cryptid from New Jersey with folkloric origins. The story of the Jersey Devil’s origin begins with a woman named Mrs. Shrouds, Mother Leeds, or Abigail Leeds. She had twelve children and cursed her hypothetical thirteenth child to the devil. She got pregnant not long after and gave birth to an inhuman creature. Another story said a woman got pregnant by a British soldier, and her child was cursed by her neighbors. This child had goat legs, a human torso, bat wings, and a long snout similar to a horse. It’s sometimes thought to be nine feet from head to tail. It’s thought to live in…
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Jerangkong
The Jerangkong are from Indonesian myth. They are ghosts in the form of human skeletons and are sometimes covered in blood or dirt. They make a chattering sound like hard wood hitting together. They create a gap in their graves and emerge in the form of smoke. They mean no harm. They burn on contact. They have various origins but are said to have been egg thieves in life. They will continue to steal eggs when in the form of the Jerangkong. They will not break the egg but will suck the egg out through the shells pores. Citations: A Book of Indonesian Ghosts. N.p., StoryTale Studios
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Jarjacha
The Jarjacha is a monstrous creature from Peruvian myth. It’s believed that everyone has a Jarjacha within them, and it can emerge when one is overcome by anger, jealousy, or any other negative emotions. When this happens, the Jarjacha takes over the mind, body, and soul. If released from a soul, then it can take everything from a person in life and after death. Once they are satisfied with the fear and suffering they have caused, they may return to rest in the soul. Jarjachas can turn others into Jarjachas and some become Jarjachas after breaking taboos or because of incest. They take the form of llamas with human faces,…
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Janet Russell Alien Encounter
This encounter comes from a woman named Janet Russell, who recounted this to Brad and Sherry Hansen Steiger in the book Real Aliens, Space Beings, and Creatures from Other Worlds. Janet Russell is a public figure, considered to be one of the best physics in the US, having been on tv and radio multiple times. The incident occurred on March 27, 1962. She was 22 and pregnant with her fourth child and going to the doctor. She saw a ship when she was on route 112. The spacecraft was described as looking like a moon that continuously changed colors and sparkled like sequins. She got out of her car to…
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Jaguareté/Cougar Noire
The Jaguareté is a cryptid from Brazil and Guyana that commonly live on the seashore. Its name comes from the Guaraní word meaning “great beast” which is also the linguistic origin of the term jaguar. They resemble jaguars with black fur on their heads, backs, sides, and tails, as well as largely white fur on the undersides, lower jaws, and paws. They are known to eat lizards, alligators, fish, turtle eggs, and the buds and leaves from the prickly pear cactus. Citations: Eberhart, George M.. Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology. United Kingdom, ABC-CLIO, 2002.
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Jago-Nini
The Jago-Nini is a cryptid from Gabon. It strongly resembling a dinosaur, and is thought to be similar to the Mokele-Mbembe. They are believed to be amphibious creatures living in swamps and rivers. It’s name may come from the Punu or Sira language, and may possibly mean “great diver.” It attacks and consumes humans and West African manatees. Citations: Eberhart, George M.. Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology. United Kingdom, ABC-CLIO, 2002.
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Jackalope/Antelabbit/Aunt Benny/Horny Bunny/Jack-A-Lope/Jack-Pine Jackalope/Stag Bunny
Jackalopes are from the Southwestern region of the United States. They are thought to resemble jack rabbits with either deer antlers or antelope horns in proportion to their bodies. They ar extremely shy, but will fight ferociously if they or their families are threatened. They are thought to be capable of running over sixty-five miles per hour. While running at high speeds, they are incredibly dangerous as they can gore people to death. When in this state of anger, the Jackalope can only be killed with a buffalo gun. They are thought to only mate during flashes of lightning. Jackalope milk is supposedly capable of curing any number of ailments.…
