Southern Cryptids (Part 1)

What is a Cryptid?

In short, a Cryptid is an animal whose supposed existence cannot be proven scientifically. Most often the only evidence of these creatures is purely anecdotal. The word "cryptid" comes from the Greek word for "hide." Those who seek to prove the existence of these animals are called cryptozoologists. The belief in different cryptids spans across different cultures and even different continents. In fact, one of the most famous cryptids of the last century is Scotland's Loch Ness Monster.

Bigfoot

Bigfoot (or Sasquatch) is perhaps the most popular cryptid in North America. In fact, there have been reports of the creature in every US state. Bigfoot is said to be a tall, ape-like creature that resides in forested areas. While the amount of Bigfoot sightings tends to be the highest in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, there are still a number of reported encounters in the South as well. According to the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization, Florida has the third highest number of Bigfoot sighting reports in the country. To see a full list of these reports, check out the BFRO's website here. There are even festivals dedicated to Sasquatches in some place in the South. If you missed our last article where we covered the 3rd Annual South Carolina Bigfoot Festival, check it out here.

The Mothman

The Mothman is a cryptid whose legend was born in Point Pleasant West Virginia. It is allegedly a large bipedal creature with wings and glowing red eyes. People have speculated what the origins of this monstrous creature are; some say he's from hell, others believe him to be a space alien. The existence of the Mothman is yet to be proven, much less where he's from. For more information on the Mothman and eyewitness accounts check out this Smithsonian article and keep a close eye on the sky next time you're driving in rural West Virginia.

The Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp

The Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp (a.k.a. ‘The Lizard Man of Lee County’ & 'The Scape Ore Monster') is reportedly a green, scaly, reptilian-like humanoid with sharp claws. Reports of this creature in the Scape Ore Swamp area of South Carolina date back to the 1980s. To read more about different encounters people have claimed to have with this creature, check out this Mysterious Universe article on the monsters of South Carolina.

Check in next week for Part 2 in our list of Southern Cryptids

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Liv Keaton

24 October 2022