Creatures Unknown

Half rabbit, half antelope—and all mischief. This week, we dig into one of America’s most enduring mythological mashups: the jackalope. Beloved hoax? Ancient cryptid? Viral taxidermy? We trace the jackalope’s strange evolution—from drunken Wyoming prank to echoes of medieval horned hares and Mesoamerican myths. With antlers on its head, a taste for whiskey, and the uncanny ability to mimic human s...

Beneath the pristine waters of Oregon’s Wallowa Lake, something ancient stirs. This week, we dive into the chilling legend of Wally, the Wallowa Lake Monster—an elusive, hump-backed serpent feared by many. From a tragic love story punished by a furious lake spirit, to 50-foot serpents and monstrous black heads breaking the surface, the sightings span centuries. Plus: could a crustacean the size of...

Small, pale, and disturbingly human—this week on Creatures Unknown , we dive into the twisted legend of the Melon Heads. With bulbous skulls, razor teeth, and a violent streak, these creatures are said to haunt the forests of Michigan, Ohio, and Connecticut. Were they tortured orphans? Inbred cannibals? Or figments of fevered local lore? From secret asylums to shadowy roads like “Dracula Drive,” e...

Cryptid legends captivate us, but not all are what they seem. This episode of Creatures Unknown uncovers some of history’s strangest and most elaborate hoaxes. From the Ozark Howler , a beast fabricated by a college prankster, to the grotesque Feejee (Fiji) Mermaid , a stitched-together abomination P.T. Barnum turned into a sensation—these hoaxes prove belief and deception go hand in hand. But wha...

A chilling wail in the night. A ghostly figure by the water’s edge. A legend that spans generations and cultures. In this episode of Creatures Unknown , we explore the terrifying story of La Llorona , the vengeful spirit cursed to wander the earth in search of her drowned children. From her tragic origins in Mexican folklore to eerie encounters reported across the Americas, La Llorona has haunted...

Deep in the murky swamps of Louisiana lurks the Rougarou, a fearsome, red-eyed beast that blends Cajun folklore with werewolf legend. Said to be a shapeshifter cursed by disobedience or witchcraft, this swamp-dwelling terror stalks those who break the rules of Lent or dare to wander too far into the bayou at night. From eerie encounters to its lasting legacy in festivals, theme parks, and pop cult...

In this fun, new episode of Creatures Unknown , we dive into the bizarre tale of the Enfield Monster, also known as the Enfield Horror. With firsthand accounts of a three-legged, flashlight-eyed creature terrorizing a small Illinois town in 1973, cryptozoologist Loren Coleman joins the hunt to uncover its secrets. Could it be an escaped kangaroo, the Devil Monkey cryptid, or something far more sin...

In this fun new episode of Creatures Unknown, your hosts read excerpts from "Fearsome Creatures Of The Lumberwoods,” a book written by William T. Cox. It’s a collection of fictional stories about various creatures that supposedly inhabit the forests, deserts, and mountains of North America. From the Gumberoo, to the Hugag, to the Wampus Cat, this compendium covers creatures both fantastical and bi...

In this chilling episode of Creatures Unknown, we delve into the fiery legend of the Glocester Ghoul, a terrifying creature said to haunt the dark forests of Rhode Island. From Albert Hicks—the notorious pirate who claimed the devil himself was his protector—to eerie encounters in the late 1800s, this episode explores the strange stories surrounding this bat-winged, fire-breathing monster with eye...

In this episode of Creatures Unknown, we delve into the story of the Grafton Monster, a mysterious cryptid sighted in 1964 in Taylor County, West Virginia. Described as a towering figure with slick, white seal-like skin and a head set into its chest, this creature sparked surprise and fascination. We recount journalist Robert Cockrell's encounter, the teenager-led search that followed, and the cre...

In this episode of Creatures Unknown, we venture into the icy waters of the Arctic to uncover tales of mysterious sea serpents and frozen monsters. With reports of enormous, serpent-like creatures, bizarre marine mammals, and shadowy figures lurking beneath the waves, these legends have fascinated and frightened for centuries. We explore eyewitness accounts, scientific theories, and the enduring a...

In this episode of Creatures Unknown, we explore the Yeti, also known as the Abominable Snowman, a legendary figure from Himalayan folklore and Tibetan Buddhism. Revered as a spiritual guardian and feared as an omen, the Yeti is described as a towering, bipedal creature with powerful arms and sharp teeth. We trace its origins, sightings, and cultural significance, from early footprints and firstha...

What kind of beast crashes through the forest, towering like a tree, hairless and monstrous, with legs so rigid it can’t even kneel? On this episode of Creatures Unknown, we explore the chilling legend of the Stiff-Legged Bear—a man-eating giant said to haunt the forests of North America, spanning Native American folklore across tribes like the Cree, Penobscot, Shawnee, and Iroquois. We’ll examine...

What prowls the Appalachian Mountains with glowing yellow eyes, piercing screams, and the stealth of a predator? This week on Creatures Unknown, we dive into the legend of the Wampus Cat—a cryptid shrouded in mystery and steeped in Cherokee folklore. We’ll explore its chilling physical descriptions, from its feline grace to its rumored six legs and supernatural abilities. Discover the Cherokee sto...

This week on Creatures Unknown, we explore the eerie legend of the Pope Lick Monster, Kentucky's infamous Goatman. Residing beneath a treacherous railroad trestle, this half-human, half-goat cryptid is said to use mimicry and even sheer terror to lure victims into fatal encounters with oncoming trains. We delve into its sinister origins, from circus sideshow horrors to twisted tales of satanic rit...

In this episode, we dive into the wild world of the Hodag, a mythical creature with bull horns, a spiked back, and a mischievous grin straight out of American folklore. Born from the ashes of oxen, this elusive creature became a legend thanks to Wisconsin timberman Eugene Shepherd, who “captured” a Hodag with a mix of dark humor and theatrical flair. From 19th-century hoax to small-town mascot, di...

Episode 24 of Creatures Unknown brings you the final installment of our Halloween month special episodes! The best way we know to wrap up spooky season is to swap spooky stories! Join us and listen to real and fictional eerie stories we’ve pulled from Reddit. Share your scary tales with us in the comments or on Instagram @creaturesunknownpodcast! Sources Distorted Warning Signals : r/nosleep Ickba...

Prepare for goosebumps as we dive into two spine-chilling topics that unnerve even your fearless hosts! In this eerie episode, we explore the uncanny valley—why human-like robots and CGI characters can feel so disturbingly off—and the unsettling folklore of Appalachia. From the unnatural movement of nearly human androids to the ghostly legends of the Appalachian mountains, these tales will send sh...

In this chilling episode of Creatures Unknown, we sink our teeth into the world of vampires! From ancient demon lore to Vlad Dracula's brutal reign, we uncover the origins of vampire myths across history. Explore how Enlightenment-era Europe became gripped by fear of the undead and how Bram Stoker's *Dracula* solidified Romania as the home of these bloodthirsty creatures. We dive deep into the fol...

In this eerie episode of Creatures Unknown, we dive into the spine-chilling world of internet folklore—Creepypasta. From the faceless menace of Slenderman to the bone-chilling Rake, and the endless halls of the Backrooms, these modern-day scary tales have taken on lives of their own. We also explore the unsettling tales of Ted the Caver, the Russian Sleep Experiment, and more. Discover how these s...

In Episode 20 of Creatures Unknown, we delve into the rich history behind Halloween! From its ancient roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain to its transformation into the candy-filled, spooky night we celebrate today, we’ll uncover how All Hallow’s Eve evolved through time. Discover how spirits, costumes, and bonfires were central to Samhain and learn about the Christian influences that shaped m...

In this episode of Creatures Unknown, we talk about the legend of the Michigan Dogman, a creature that has haunted the forests of Michigan's Lower Peninsula for over a century. Described as a towering, bipedal canine with a man's torso and the head of a wolf, the Dogman is said to have piercing amber eyes and a scream that resembles a human cry. First sighted by lumberjacks in 1887, this c...

In this episode, we investigate the mysterious Van Meter Visitor, a winged cryptid that terrorized the small town of Van Meter, Iowa, in 1903. Described as a towering, bat-like creature with a blinding light emanating from its horn, the Visitor was seen by multiple witnesses over several nights, leaving behind three-toed tracks and a pungent odor. Despite attempts to shoot it, the creature remaine...

This week, we venture deep into the hemlock forests of Pennsylvania to uncover the legend of the Squonk, the saddest cryptid in the world. Said to resemble a small, pig-like creature with wrinkled, ill-fitting skin, warts, and cauliflower ears, the Squonk is a tragic figure—constantly weeping over its unfortunate appearance. We explore the Squonk's origins, its possible connection to deforesta...

This week on Creatures Unknown, we take you to the rolling hills of Maryland, where a terrifying creature once haunted the skies: the Snallygaster. Originating in the 18th century, this cryptid was said to terrorize early settlers in Frederick County, swooping down at night to snatch away its victims. Sightings spiked in the early 1900s, with reports flooding local newspapers, and rumors even clai...