Southern Cryptids (Part 2)
- Oct 30, 2022
- 2 min read
In last week's post we discussed how a Cryptid is an animal whose supposed existence cannot be proven scientifically. We also briefly went over a few examples of different cryptids who are said to roam the American South (including the infamous Bigfoot).
The Chupacabra
This creature is said to call America's southernmost border (along with other countries farther south) its home. Accounts vary greatly when it comes to the Chupacabra's appearance. Some have claimed that it looks like a mangy dog on all fours, while others have described it as a more lizard-like bipedal creature. Although, throughout all accounts, one thing that has remained fairly consistent is that when the Chupacabra kills its prey, it leaves behind three distinct puncture wounds. The name "Chupacabra" translates to goat sucker, so named after its first and most common supposed victims. To read more about the history of this cryptid check out this article.
The Wampus Cat
This cryptid goes by several names including the 'Whistling Wampus' and the 'Gallywampus' and is said only to be seen just after dusk or right before the break of dawn. This mythical creature (who is supposedly some mix of a mountain lion and a dog) finds its earliest roots in Cherokee folklore. While many native stories hold the Wampus Cat in high regard as a protector, other, non-native, cultures believe the creature to be fearsome and evil.
Altamaha-ha
Unlike the other cryptids we've discussed, Altamaha-ha (nicknamed Altie) doesn't live on land but in a river in Georgia. Altie is said to be large with a bony back and only three appendages: 2 front flippers and a crocodile-like snout. Reports of this creature begin with the natives that lived in the area (specifically the Lower Muskogee Creek Tribe). Non-native sightings of the creature date back all the way to early 1830. There have even been sightings of this elusive creature in the last twenty years. Click here to read more about Altie.
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