The United States
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Ganiagwaihegowa
Ganiagwaihegowa is a monster from myths of the Seneca people. He was a man-eating bear with no hair and human skin, who was only vulnerable on the soles of his feet. He tormented people in the underworld, but was killed by Hadentheni and Hanigongendatha. They shot his feet to kill him, and then cut up and burned his body. Citations: Sullivan, Irene F., and Gill, Sam D.. Dictionary of Native American Mythology. United Kingdom, Oxford University Press, 1994.
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Fog-Hog
The Fog-Hog is a creature from Lumberjack Folklore. It is known by the “scientific name” Purcusnebulus vancerandolphi. They are believed to inhabit Star Lake in Wisconsin. When the fog gets dense enough for fish to swim through it like water, the Fog-Hog follows to prey on them. They only eat fish and have a ravenous appetite. People who live in this area have to close their windows to keep the fish from swimming into their houses to keep the Fog-Hog from entering. Citations: Yarns of the Big Woods, Written and Illustrated by Art Childs
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Flittericks/Flitterick
Flittericks are small creatures that come from Lumberjack Folklore. They are believed to be an odd form of flying squirrel. They are noted for being able to move so fast they’re impossible to avoid. They can hit hard enough to kill another creature, but also kill themselves in the process. Citations: The American People: Stories, Legends, Tales, Traditions and Songs. United Kingdom, Taylor & Francis, 2020. Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Matthews, John, and Matthews, Caitlin. The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A-Z of Fantastic Beings from Myth and Magic. United Kingdom, Harper Element, 2009.…
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Fish-Fox
The Fish-Fox is a silly creature from Lumberjack Folklore. It has the “scientific name” Piscivulpus coertduboisia. They can be commanded like dogs. They dive into the water and make sounds like an angleworm. They then return to the shore, causing the fish to follow it back onto land, leaving themselves completely vulnerable to anyone to kill. Citations: Yarns of the Big Woods, Written and Illustrated by Art Childs
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Elmer the Moose Terrier
Elmer The Moose Terrier was a strange creature was the dog that belonged to Paul Bunyan. It was said to be a dog strong enough to shake a moose to death, like most terriers could with a rat. It was also known to be an incredible tracker. One day though, he had an accident. He was rustling around in a cabin, and the lumberjack who lived there thought it was some dangerous creature. In response to the rustling creature, the lumberjack threw his ax and cut Elmer cleanly in half. Another person quickly sewed him back together and managed to save him. In the mans haste though, he accidentally sewed…
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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.…
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Dungavenhooter/Dungaven Hooter/Dungaven-Hooter
The Dungavenhooter is a bizarre creature from Lumberjack Folklore. They resemble large alligators with no mouths and massive nostrils. They live in logging regions and lie in wait until a person approaches. When a victim is close enough, the Dungavenhooter will swipe its tail to take their feet out from under them. The Dungavenhooter will then jump on and pulverize their victims until they’re broken down into a gaseous state, which they then inhale to consume them. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Matthews, John, and Matthews, Caitlin. The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A-Z…
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Duck-Footed Dum-Dum
The Duck-Footed Dum-Dum is a silly creature from Lumberjack Folklore. It goes by the “scientific name” Ventertympanum coxi. The skin on their backs is similar to a drum and they have two tails shaped like drum sticks. They use these tails to quickly hit their backs, making a drumming sound. This sound is used to indicate to fish that spawning season has begun. Citations: Yarns of the Big Woods, Written and Illustrated by Art Childs
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Domenech’s Pseudo-Goat
Domenech’s Pseudo-Goat is a Cryptid from Central Texas. They supposedly resemble goats the size of cats. They are covered with glossy white hair, having rose colored horns, and have claws in place of hooves. There is only one account of this creature, and it is from 1850. It tells of one supposedly kept by a Comanche woman. Citations: Eberhart, George M.. Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology. United Kingdom, ABC-CLIO, 2002.
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Djieien/Djien
The Djieien is a monstrous six-foot-tall spider from Seneca mythology. He could withstand any physical attacks because his heart is buried in the ground under a lodge. No matter the injury, it could heal completely if it returned to its heart. One of the Djieien took the father of Othegwenhda. Othegwenhda, consulted his sentient fetish to learn how to kill it. He climbs a tree, declares himself the greatest hunter, and throws a branch declaring it will pierce the Djieien’s heart. Djieien died as soon as the branch pierced its heart and Othegwenhda rescued his father, burning Djieien’s lodge to the ground. Citations: Curtin, Jeremiah. Seneca Fiction, Legends, and Myths…
