By Dylan Stuntz, American Forests

With Halloween just around the corner, learn about some scary creatures supposedly hiding in the wild parts of America. Hidden and undiscovered animals are referred to as cryptids, and the study of these spooky animals is called cryptozoology. Maybe hold off on looking too hard for these monsters though, because some of them are not ones you want to find on a dark night.

Bigfoot

The undisputed king of mystery creatures, Bigfoot sightings have been reported all over the country. Bigfoot is a large hairy humanoid that apparently has the power to blur or obscure itself whenever placed on film or camera. While there have been sightings of the omnivorous creature elsewhere in the U.S., it seems to be most at home in the Pacific Northwest, and it’s clear why. Old-growth forests are widespread throughout the region, with varieties of tree species ranging from redwoods to Douglas-firs. Grizzly bears and black bears also range throughout this region, so Bigfoot’s in good company.

El Chupacabra

“The goat-sucker” is a creature that reportedly terrorizes the Southwestern U.S., Puerto Rico and Mexico. Accounts on the size and shape of the creature vary, with some reports saying it is the size of a large bear with spines running down its back, while others insist the animal is smaller and hairless. Almost everyone can agree that it has large fangs and legs jointed like a kangaroo. Reportedly it can be found in the Chihuahuan Desert, the largest desert in North America, covering over 200,000 miles. The desert is characterized by low shrubs and perennial grasses, so plenty of places for El Chupacabra to hide.

Honey Island Swamp Monster

Honey Island Swamp is a protected area of marshland approximately 108 square miles, with over 35,000 acres of land managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and home to alligators, snakes, wild boars, eagles, and potentially something else…

Found in the Honey Island Swamp, this cryptid dates back to a Native American myth about an illegitimate child released into the swamp and raised by alligators. A modern urban legend rumors that a train carrying circus animals crashed near the swamp, releasing a family of chimpanzees that interbred with alligators, creating a whole tribe of Honey Island Swamp Monsters. Two hunters emerged from the swamp in 1974 saying they had seen large tracks of a creature next to a fresh-killed boar. Supposedly the monster stands over 7 feet tall, is covered in gray hair and has large glowing yellow eyes.

Mothman

Reports of a flying figure with eyes that flash red terrorized couples in a West Virginia town. Reportedly the “Mothman,” as local folklore christened it, can fly up to 100 miles per hour and is terrified of light. The creature seemingly communicates through a series of clicks and whistles. The Mothman has only been witnessed on the outskirts of Point Pleasant, W.V., so if you’re visiting anywhere near there soon, maybe stick to the center of town.

Pukwudgie

Massachusetts is a prime spot for cryptids, with over 3.2 million acres of forest found throughout the state. One of the animals found in central and western Massachusetts is the porcupine, but if you see one around this season, you might have more to worry about than just its quills.

If you spot a porcupine, it may be Pukwudgie, a mythical creature from Algonquian folklore, in disguise. Three-foot tall humanoids capable of transforming into porcupines, stories say they are mischievous creatures capable of doing both good and evil. They are just as likely to help their human neighbors as they are to lure away unsuspecting children!

Wampus Cat

There are more than 22 million acres of forest in Alabama, and in them you can find tortoises, woodpeckers and snakes, among other animals. There is one particular species of cat that’s whispered about around campfires though: the Wampus Cat, the result of experimentation during World War II.

Allegedly, the U.S. government tried to create a “super-animal” by combining a mountain lion and a grey wolf through genetic splicing, with the goal of creating an incredibly fast and large creature to relay messages. However, a breeding pair escaped and their descendants, known as Wampus Cats, still haunt the area around Cheaha Mountain in the Talladega National Forest.

Before you dismiss these as simply imaginary creatures, keep in mind that the okapi, the Komodo dragon and the platypus were all dismissed as fake creatures, until someone discovered proof that they were real. Just something you should remember the next time you walk through a deep, dark wood…