A cryptid is a creature that has not yet been classified as ‘discovered’ by the scientific community. For centuries rumors circulated among western cultures of a primitive, man-like beast that lived deep in the African jungles. This beast, known today as a Gorilla was not ‘discovered’ and documented by western scientists until 1847. Many believe that the existence of other unusual and sometimes terrifying creatures may simply not be scientifically proven yet. Join us as we take a look at some seriously scary creatures that may actually exist.
Yowie
The Yowie is a large ape-like humanoid species, characteristically similar to the Yeti of the Himalayas and the Sasquatch of North America. It is said to roam Australia’s countryside and features prominently in several Aboriginal stories. Sightings of this mysterious beast continue to this day. In 1977 a Queensland senator reported to the local newspaper that he had witnessed a Yowie while on a school excursion. He noted that the creature was more than 3 meters tall and of similar appearance to Chewbacca. Perhaps the most odd sighting of this unusual beast took place in 2010 when a man claimed to have confronted a Yowie in his garage in Canberra. Apparently the creature was trying to communicate with him.
Chupacabra
The Chupacabra is reported to be the size of a small bear with a row of sharp spines running down the length of its back. It is said that it hops like a kangaroo and has a lizard-like hide and bright glowing eyes. The first reported sighting occurred in Puerto Rico in 1995 when more than 150 farm animals and pets were discovered dead, completely drained of blood. Reports soon began surfacing from other South American countries, all similar in nature. More recently several new sightings have surfaced in the southern U.S. with experts believing that the majority of these sightings could have been little more than that of an animal suffering from mange. Lizard-like skin, sharp spines and glowing eyes? That’s pretty bad mange!
Black Shuck
The ghostly devil-dog, Black Shuck is said to roam the countryside of England. He is covered in jet black fur with saucer sized, red and green eyes of flame. It is said that an encounter with Black Shuck is a grim omen that you or one you love will soon meet their doom. The most famous encounter occurred on 4th August, 1577, when this hell hound is said to have burst through the doors of the Holy Trinity Church in Blythburgh. In front of a full congregation, Black Shuck is said to have ran up the isle and killed two people by ringing their necks. At that moment the church steeple collapsed and the sinister dog ran out the open doors, scorching them with flames. The scorch marks can still be seen on the doors to this day.
Sightings of Black Shuck continue along the misty shorelines and lonely forest paths of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp
The first ever reported sighting of this mysterious Lizard Man occurred in 1988 near Scape Ore Swamp, South Carolina, U.S. Christopher Davis was on his way home from work one evening at 2:00 am when he stopped to change a damaged tire. Upon finishing the repair, he reported hearing a thumping noise behind him. Turning to see where the noise was coming from, Davis was confronted with a tall creature running towards him. Davis immediately started the car and began to drive away at which point the creature is said to have grabbed at the door handle then lunged onto the roof of the car. Davis reported having to swerve from side to side to lose his mysterious attacker. Davis described the beast as very tall with three fingers, long black nails and green, rough skin. After reporting the incident to police, several similar stories began to emerge including an incident in which Bertha Blythers and her five children also claimed to have had their car attacked near Scape Ore Swamp. Reports of unusual and unexplained car maulings in the area have surfaced as recently as 2011.
The Night Demon (Mare)
The ghoulish creature known as the Mare is said to come into its victim’s room while they are sleeping. It perches itself on top of their chest making it difficult for the person to breathe. The victim lays paralyzed, unable to do anything while an intense sense of panic falls over them. In some cases the Mare reaches forward and attempts to strangle their paralyzed victim. Reported attacks of the Mare are said to last from minutes to even hours and usually occur just before the victim wakes in the morning. Modern science explains these ‘attacks’ as a sleep disturbance however many cultures describe a similar creature and written accounts of these terrifying night attacks can be found as far back as 2400 B.C. Despite the scientific explanation for this phenomenon, sightings of the Mare and similar creatures continue to be reported all over the world.
The word mare comes from Old English and is where the term nightmare originated.
Scary creatures that may actually exist? You decide. All I know is that I won’t be sleeping tonight!
