Cryptids are creatures whose existence hasn’t been proven, yet many believe they roam the earth. Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster are famous, but countless other strange beings are reported worldwide. Here are ten lesser-known cryptids that might just send a shiver down your spine.
The Beast of Bray Road
The Beast of Bray Road, or the Wisconsin Werewolf, haunts Bray Road in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. The first sighting was in 1936 when night watchman Mark Shackleton encountered a large wolf-like creature digging near the St. Coletta School.
Shackleton claimed the beast stood on two legs and growled at him before running off. Over the years, many locals have reported encounters, including one woman who said it ran beside her car at 55 mph. Reporter Linda Godfrey investigated these reports for the Walworth County Week, eventually writing a book about the creature. Elkhorn now hosts paranormal conferences focused on the Beast of Bray Road.
The Honey Island Swamp Monster
The Honey Island Swamp Monster lurks in Louisiana’s St. Tammany Parish. This creature is over 7 feet tall, covered in fur, with webbed toes, and a pungent odor. Hunters have reported encounters since 1963, describing heavy movement and the monster’s overpowering smell.
Native Americans have long told similar legends in the area. The swamp also has a history of moonshine operations and murders from the early 1900s, adding to its eerie reputation. Maybe find another swamp during your visit to the area!
Kelly-Hopkinsville Goblins
The Kelly-Hopkinsville Encounter occurred in 1955 in Kelly, Kentucky. Billy Ray Taylor saw a rainbow-colored light streak across the sky and land in a field behind the Sutton home. He told his friends, who initially dismissed it, but soon they encountered strange creatures.
Billy Ray and Lucky Sutton saw a three-foot-tall creature with a large head and claws. The creature approached, and the men opened fire. A two-hour gun battle ensued between the residents and numerous seemingly bulletproof goblins. The creatures peeked into windows and climbed on the roof.
The Suttons eventually fled to the police station. Local and military police investigated but found no evidence of the creatures, only shell casings.
The Michigan Dogman
The Michigan Dogman reportedly appears every ten years, particularly in years ending in seven. It stands seven feet tall with blue eyes and dripping saliva. Encounters often involve the Dogman jumping in front of cars in wooded areas.
One unlucky person even called OnStar after the Dogman allegedly caused their car to flip. In the 1930s, a man was attacked by wild dogs, one of which stood on its hind legs and glared at him. In 1987, a DJ in Traverse City created a song about the Dogman as an April Fool’s joke, but the station was flooded with reports of sightings.
The Nain Rouge
The red dwarf of Detroit, the Nain Rouge, dates back to the city’s founding in 1701. Legend says Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac attacked the Nain Rouge, cursing himself and the city. Since then, the Nain appears before major disasters.
Detroit hosts the Marche du Nain Rouge annually, where residents drive out and burn the dwarf in effigy. Some protestors urge kindness to the Nain, referencing an early prophecy that Cadillac should’ve appeased the dwarf. Cadillac’s temper brought the curse upon the city.
Mokele-mbembe
Does a living dinosaur still roam the African Congo? The mokele-mbembe, a sauropod-like creature with a long neck and tail, might be Africa’s answer to the Loch Ness Monster.
First mentioned in Carl Hagenbeck’s Beasts and Men in 1909, the creature was described as “half elephant, half dragon”. Many expeditions have tried to find the mokele-mbembe, but none have succeeded.
Rougarou
The rougarou, or loup-garou, is a Cajun werewolf with a man’s body and a wolf’s head. It stalks the swamps of Louisiana, preying on misbehaving children. This creature is a human cursed with a terrible affliction.
The curse lasts for 101 days. On the last day, the rougarou’s first victim becomes the next carrier of the curse. One can also be cursed by a vindictive witch. Cajun elders use tales of the rougarou to warn children against bad behavior, and accusations of being a rougarou have led to conflicts.
The Brosno Dragon
In Lake Brosno, western Russia, a 16.5-foot creature with a dragon-like head and long tail lurks. The Brosno Dragon, or Brosnya, has reportedly lived in the lake for centuries, driving off invaders and swallowing fishermen.
In 2002, cryptozoologists from Kosmopoisk found something the size of a railway car using echo sounding, but it disappeared upon approach. Lake Brosno reaches depths of 140 feet, providing ample hiding space for Brosnya.
Yowie
Australia has Yowie, similar to North America’s Bigfoot. Its legend dates back to Aboriginal people, with the Kuku Yalanji tribe claiming coexistence. There are two types of Yowie: one 4-5 feet tall and another up to 10 feet tall, both apelike with orange fur.
Aboriginal cave art depicts similar creatures. Hundreds of sightings have been reported, and expeditions have produced compelling evidence like thermal images showing a human-shaped creature towering over men searching in the woods.
The Mongolian Death Worm
In 1926, paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews wrote about a 3-foot-long, fat, red worm in the Gobi Desert, poisonous enough to cause death upon contact. The Mongolian Death Worm inspires fear and fascination.
Locals fear and avoid the creature, while others are intrigued by its mystery. Multiple expeditions have sought to prove its existence, but none have succeeded.
From werewolves to lake monsters, these cryptids offer a glimpse into the unknown. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, these stories are sure to spark your imagination. The world is full of unexplained mysteries, and these creatures just might be lurking in the shadows.
Have you heard of any of these cryptids before? Leave your comment below and share your thoughts!
