Meet the Monsters! 

Some of the cryptids that you might just meet in the woods.....

Beware next time you hike or camp in the wilderness. There are many kinds of monsters lurking in the shadows and hiding in the underbrush. Swimming in unfamiliar waters could be mistake too. Some of them are just curious and want to observe you. But not all are harmless. In fact, some of them might fancy making a meal out of you...

Table of Contents 

• Meet the Monsters!
• The Chupacabra
• Bigfoot
• Boto
• Mothman
• Champ
• The Mapinguary
• Kim Qui
• The Thunderbird
• The Gobi Death Worm
• The Big Grey Man of Ben MacDhui
• A few less plausible monsters...
• Anansi
• Piasa Bird
• La Llorona
• Kapre
• The Green Man
• The Phii Krasue
• Chupacabra Stuffed Animal

The Chupacabra 

The mysterious predator from Latin America and Southwestern US

The Chupacabra is an enigmatic creature that has been sighted extensively throughout Latin America and United States. Some people believe that it is responsible for unexplained attacks on farm animals and pets, most of which take place at night in rural areas. "Chupacabra" means "goatsucker" in Spanish, a name it earned as a result of its predilection for the blood it sucks from the necks of freshly-killed goats using its long, thin red tongue. Actual accounts in the news suggest, however, that the Chupacabra actually exhibits a preference for chickens, which it will kill by the dozens in a single night.

The Chupacabra is most frequently described as "kangaroo-like" with large fangs on its upper jaw and small upper limbs with three big claws. It reportedly uses its powerful hind legs to leap long distances. Small winglike membranes under its arms are believed to help it glide through the air towards its victims. Although reptilian-like Chupacabras have been reported, most observations describe it as having short brown fur that helps it blend in with its surroundings. The majority of sightings report that the Chupacabra has long greenish spines or quills that run from the back of its head all the way down to its short stubby tail. Its large eyes are said to glow bright red, and may be capable of exerting a hypnotic effect on humans who gaze into them, thus explaining why nobody has ever succeeded in capturing a Chupacabra.

In the last several years, there have been recent reports of Chupacabras being killed or found dead in the American Southwest. Subsequent scientific examinations demonstrated that they were actually coyotes suffering from an exceptionally virulent form of mange.

Some people believe the Chupacabra arrived on Earth as an alien's pet. Others suggest that it is the result of a genetic engineering experiment that went wrong. It first appeared in the mountains of Puerto Rico, but has also been seen in Mexico, Nicaragua, Chile and other countries. It is thought to live in underground burrows or caves.

Bigfoot 

The secretive hairy hominid of North American forests

For hundreds of years people from all over the globe have reported seeing elusive humanlike creatures in the woods and tropical forests of the world. These beasts are most commonly known as Bigfoot in North America and are most frequently described as being between 6 and 9 feet tall and covered with long reddish-brown or black hair.

While "Bigfoot" is a relatively recent term, successive generations of Native Americans have handed down legends of a large furred being that they called "Sasquatch," which means "wild man." They revered him as a forest spirit and would put food out for him, and in exchange he would leave firewood for them.

Most people who have experienced a sighting describe Bigfoot as walking upright with a forward stoop and with long arms swinging at his side. Some eyewitnesses estimate that the creature could weigh as much as 1,000 pounds. One frequent characterization of Bigfoot is that he seems to have no neck, and that the top of his head appears to be pointed. Most people who have been in close proximity to Bigfoot report a particularly offensive sulfurous odor.

There is little agreement about what Bigfoot's diet consists of, but it is likely to be vegetarian, although on some occasions he has been observed pursuing game animals such as deer.

Most interestingly, Bigfoot reportedly has the ability to vanish into thin air, perhaps into another dimension. Sometimes his tracks in the snow or mud simply stop with no indication of where he went. These observations are consistent with the fact that no bones or other remains of Bigfoot have ever been found.

Boto 

The pink shape-shifting dolphin from the Amazon Delta

Boto is a pink fresh water dolphin who lives in the rivers and estuaries of the vast Amazon jungle. Boto is no ordinary dolphin, as he possesses supernatural powers that allow him to exercise hypnotic control over people. Furthermore, he is a shapeshifter who on occasion will leave the water at night and assume human form in order to blend in with the villagers. A notorious party animal, Boto takes on the appearance of a well-dressed young man and mingles with the merrymakers during celebrations and feast days. In spite of his persuasive transformation, Boto's blowhole remains visible and must always be concealed under a hat, lest people spot it and realize his true identity.

Boto is an accomplished dancer and has a weakness for the ladies. He will select one to his liking and romance her using his charisma and musical ability. They will dance through the night and then retreat for a romantic walk along the riverbank. Alone and in the dark, romance soon gives way to passion and the young lady succumbs to Boto's charms.

Boto is widely acknowledged as the cause of unexplained pregnancies in rural riverside communities. When a daughter takes a sudden fancy to a handsome stranger who has recently arrived in town, suspicious parents often request the young man to remove his hat to ensure that he is not a boto in disguise.

It is said that in some instances, Boto will abduct young women and take them to Land of "Encante," the underwater paradise where he dwells. Some are never seen again. Others return pregnant. For this reason, villagers admonish their children to stay away from the river at night, especially if there is a full moon, a factor that increases the possibility that a Boto might appear.

Mothman 

A mysterious entity and harbinger of doom that terrified West Virginia

Mothman is a strange entity that was first seen in late 1966 in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Over a period of about a year, around 100 people in the area reported seeing a large dark headless humanlike shape with huge glowing red eyes positioned on its upper torso. The Mothman incident was followed by the arrival of the "Men in Black" who proceeded to interview eyewitnesses in the community regarding their experiences.

Mothman was sighted repeatedly in Point Pleasant, West Virginia for over a year. The most dramatic incident occurred when two young couples sighted the Mothman in the vicinity of an abandoned explosives plant. They claimed that it took flight and pursued them as they sped away in their car. In the days that followed, there were other sightings in the area, most notably at a farmhouse where a man saw the Mothman in his driveway. His dog barked and challenged the creature and was not seen again. Later, this dog was allegedly found dead along the roadway.

The rash of sightings culminated with the tragic collapse of the Silver Bridge on December 15, 1967, which resulted in 46 deaths and led many people to suggest that the appearance of Mothman is a harbinger of impending disaster.

Although Mothman is said to have wings, eyewitnesses have stated that he appears to levitate and take to the air without flapping his wings, sometimes traveling at great speed. Mothman has not been seen again in West Virginia, although there have been sporadic reports of sightings of a similar creature in various places around the world.

Because Mothman's behavior seems to transcend the laws of physics, some researchers suggest that he may be some sort of transdimensional being.

Champ 

America's Nessie, the Lake Champlain Monster frequently seen by tourists

Champ is the Lake Champlain Monster, a dark long-necked aquatic creature that is believed to live in the depths of Lake Champlain between New York and Vermont. For over 400 years, Champ has been sighted continuously in the country's fourth largest lake, which covers 222 square miles. Recent highly publicized expeditions to document Champ's existence failed to shed any additional light on this mysterious beast.

In the early 1600s, Champ's existence was reported by explorers and even Samuel de Champlain himself may have first seen it in the St. Lawrence estuary. Native Americans referred to Champ as 'Tatoskok,' and it figures in their oral traditions and rock carvings. Ancient petroglyphs in Vermont thought to be over 3,000 years old depict a creature that is suggestive of Champ.

Throughout the 19th Century, many group sightings took place from aboard the steamships which were a primary means of transportation at the time. In the 1870s, widespread disappearance of livestock from the shores of Lake Champlain was attributed to Champ's appetite. By 1873, Champ achieved such widespread fame that PT Barnum offered $50,000 for its hide.

More recently, Champ was witnessed by the passengers and crew of a large tourist vessel and also by fishermen aboard smaller craft. The most famous photograph of Champ was taken a family on vacation in 1977 and appears to show a partially submerged body with a long curved neck.

Most observers have characterized Champ as a "snakelike" and having 3 or 4 humps that undulate as it moves through the water. Estimates of Champ's length generally vary between 25 and 35 feet.

While there is little definitive proof of Champ's existence, the many persuasive anecdotal accounts prompted the legislatures of both New York and Vermont to pass resolutions to protect this elusive creature. Champ Day is held yearly in Port Henry, New York.

The Mapinguary 

The cyclops South American cousin of Bigfoot that feasts on human brains

The Mapinguary is a strange beast that inhabits the tropical rain forests of Brazil and neighboring South American countries. Eyewitness accounts vary, but many natives who live in the areas said to be frequented by the Mapinguary describe it as a large hairy creature with stringy, matted fur and a single eye in the cent of its forehead, just like the Cyclops of Greek mythology. They often report that it has a second mouth located in its abdomen which it uses to devour large prey that accidentally stray into its lair.

The Mapinguary is most commonly seen by the native peoples of South America. Those who have been near a Mapinguary universally agree that it is characterized by an extraordinarily foul odor reminiscent of decomposing flesh that attracts a pervasive cloud of flies that surround the animal. This stench is so overpowering that it can render a person ill on the spot and may well be a defense mechanism that serves to compensate for the creature's observed lack of speed and agility.

The Mapinguary is said to be openly aggressive towards humans, perhaps as a reaction to man's continuing encroachment into the creature's habitat. Locals say that when the Mapinguary catches somebody, it will use its great strength to twist off the top of the person's cranium and feast on its hapless victim's brains.

Some scientists speculate that the Mapinguary could indeed be a descendant of giant ground sloths that were thought to have died out some 10,000 years ago, although there is persuasive evidence that some of the smaller species may have survived into the time of the arrival of the first European explorers to South America. The largest of these animals may have weighed some 5 tons and may have reached a height of 20 feet when standing upright, aided by its massive tail.

Kim Qui 

The Golden Turtle God and Guardian of the Sword

Kim Qui is a legendary turtle that has repeatedly come to the assistance of Vietnamese rulers over the millennia to help them defeat their enemies and defend their kingdoms from invaders. In a story parallel to that of King Arthur and Excalibur, there is a traditional account about how Kim Qui, the Golden Turtle God, gave Emperor Le Loi a magical sword bearing the inscription "The Will of Heaven." This sword gave the emperor great strength and was instrumental in his leading his forces to defeat the invading Ming Chinese armies in 1427. Following his victory, Le Loi was boating on Luc Thuy ("Green Water") Lake when the turtle deity Kim Qui suddenly rose to the surface and seized the sword in his mouth and promptly vanished back into the murky depths. The emperor bemoaned the loss of this precious sword, but was eventually persuaded that now that his kingdom was again free, the sword's rightful owners had reclaimed it. The emperor then proclaimed that Luc Thuy Lake be renamed Ho Hoan Kiem Lake, which means "Lake of the Returned Sword."

Hoan Kiem Lake is located just west of the Song Hong River ("Red River") in an urban setting near Hanoi's Old Quarter and about a mile southeast of Truc Bach Lake, where John McCain landed after being shot down by a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft missile in 1967. In the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake, there is a small island with a structure known as The Tortoise Tower that commemorates the Kim Qui legend.

In scientific terms, Kim Qui is a Yangtze giant soft-shell turtle, which is formally known as Rafetus swinhoei. Weighing in at around 400 pounds, it may be the largest fresh water turtle in the world. It is easily identified by its pig-like snout and nostrils.

Aside from the single specimen known to live in Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi and presumed by many to be the legendary Kim Qui, there only five other known surviving members of the species. These are located at zoos in China, and several are estimated to be between 80 and 100 years old. Other individuals have recently been observed in the wild, but the species has been seriously depleted by pollution, human encroachment into its habitat, especially the damming of rivers and the mining of sand, and also from hunting for food or the supposed medical properties of its shell and bones. This has prompted the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources in Switzerland to list Rafetus swinhoei as "critically endangered."

The Thunderbird 

The giant benevolent bird of North American mythology

Native American traditions from East to West have long spoken of a giant bird that was sent by the gods to protect the tribes from harm. The enormous and powerful Thunderbird is usually associated with control of the weather. It was believed that the flapping of the Thunderbird's great wings created the wind and gave rise to storms and thunder and that lightening emanated from its fiery eyes.

One legend recounts a tale of an instance when a community was facing an unusually cold winter and was experiencing a famine. The tribe called upon the Great Spirit for help in obtaining food to save them from starvation. The Thunderbird was sent to their aid, and it proceeded out to sea and captured a killer whale and bought it back to the village, and this allowed them to survive the harsh winter. It is said that whales were the preferred food of Thunderbirds, which they carried off to devour in their ice caves in the high mountains. Thunderbirds also ate humans on occasion, and tribe members always avoided venturing near the Thunderbird's cave.

There have been numerous accounts of Thunderbird sighting in recent memory. Perhaps the most famous occurred in 1890, when several cowboys reported shooting a large flying creature with a leathery skin and membrane coverings it wings, which were reported to span 50 yards in length. The animal was dragged back to town where it was displayed and photographed, but the picture has long since been lost.

In modern times there have been numerous sightings of very large birds and even reports of attacks on humans. Several years ago, a family reported that a giant bird swept down from the sky and tried to carry off a young boy who was playing in his back yard. Recently, bush pilots in Alaska have spoken of seeing a very large bird with an enormous wingspan from their aircraft.

Thunderbirds are often seen carved on the top of totem poles

The Gobi Death Worm 

The dreaded Gobi 'allghoi khorkhoi' of the southern Mongolian deserts

The Gobi Death Worm is a reddish sausage-like creature that lives beneath the sands of the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. For hundreds of years, nomadic people have reported encounters with this terrifying beast, which is reportedly capable of spraying a lethal poisonous mist or even fatally electrocuting people from a distance. The corrosive liquid that it spits is said to turn anything it touches yellow, and, furthermore, the color yellow is said to attract the creature. Even touching the worm is believed to be fatal.

In the Mongolian language the Gobi Death Worm is called 'allghoi khorkhoi,' meaning 'intestine worm' because its shape resembles a cow's intestine. The worm's body is several feet long and as thick as a man's arm and has no discernable features aside from its segmentations. The Death Worm only appears during hot summer months following the rains and people who have seen it up close report that it lacks a mouth, eyes or nostrils and that it does not slither like a snake, but rather, rolls or shuffles along the sand. It is unclear as to how it delivers its deadly spray or electric shock, but it may have a concealed proboscis that serves this purpose.

Mongolians fear the Gobi Death Worm so much that they often refuse to talk about it, as that is believed to bring bad luck. The Death Worm was dismissed as a fantasy during the communist regime that ended in 1990, which outlawed any searches for it. However, even today, Buddhist monks consider it to be an evil creature possessing supernatural powers.

Over the years, numerous expeditions have been launched in attempts to capture it, but thus far none has ever succeeded. A Czech explorer tried to drive it to the surface by detonating explosives in the sand and later used ultralight aircraft to attempt to photograph it from the air. Neither effort succeeded.

The Big Grey Man of Ben MacDhui 

The spectral entity of the Scottish highlands

Tales of The Big Grey Man of Ben MacDhui of the Cairngorm Mountains in the Scottish highlands have been heard since the 1700s. Known as "Am Fear Liath Mòr" in Scottish Gaelic, this elusive creature - if that's what it really is - has long defied explanation because of the ambiguous characteristics reported by the few who have been fortunate enough to witness it.

There is little evidence surrounding the existence of the Gray Man, save a few anecdotal accounts and some unusual large footprints said to be as wide as they are long. Described as "Bigfoot-like" but much taller, most people who have experienced an encounter with the Grey Man agree that he is very tall - perhaps 10 feet or more - and that he is covered with short brown fur. He is described as having a long prominent neck and pointed ears as well as long arms, legs with fingers and toes that end in large nails or claws.

The most celebrated encounter with the Grey Man was recounted by famous mountaineer Professor Norman Collie at a lecture in 1925 when he detailed his experience back in 1891 when it chased him down the mountain. Later, in 1943, naturalist Alexander Tewnion stated the Grey Man charged at him and that he fired three shots at it with no apparent effect.

Many encounters involve hikers hearing footsteps behind them when they are walking through the mist, but perhaps the most common observation associated with Grey Man experiences is an overwhelming sensation of dread or panic, even in the absence of visual contact. Sometimes referred to as "mountain panic,' this phenomenon is sometimes attributed to altitude sickness, unidentified environmental factors such as low frequency sound or even biological substances like pheromones. Other witnesses to events involving cryptids like Mothman or the Chupacabra have reported similar sensations of disorientation or fear, and these have led to speculation that these creatures are of alien origin and that they possess psychic powers that are not explained by current scientific knowledge.

Metaphysical explanations are frequently employed to bridge the gap between actual field observations and plausible scientific dogma. Like Bigfoot or the Yeti, experts have suggested that the Grey Man is a spectral entity or a transdimensional or shapeshifting being. This theory has been advanced in an attempt to explain why a hairy hominid or other cyptid has never turned up as roadkill or succumbed to a hunter's gunfire.

A few less plausible monsters... 

Some monsters rooted in tradition that might not be all that real

Many monsters have proponents who assert that they have seen in them recently in the woods, in a swamp, underwater or flying through the air. However, there is a another category of creatures that trace their origins back hundreds and even thousands of years and whose identity is known to us only through oral and written traditions of ancient peoples around the world. No reasonable person expects to cross paths with one of these creatures, but who really knows for sure...

Anansi 

The crafty and mischievous spider from West African mythology

Discovered in Jamaica in 2005 by Don and Kim, Anansi traces his origins back to West Africa. The drawing at the beginning of this section was made by a charming young sixth-grade girl that Don met while performing a review of secondary school facilities for a USAID educational project on the north coast of Jamaica. After a focus group session with the children, Don asked them about local monsters and legends. The girl volunteered the story about Anansi, stating that "Anansi will steal your food and run off with your wife." She then proceeded to sketch Anansi in Don's notebook.

Anansi is a sort of cultural icon in West Africa and stories about him have a long historical tradition throughout the region. Anansi is best known as a clever and mischievous spider that has a well-deserved reputation as a trickster. His antics and adventures are celebrated in literally hundreds of tales in the oral and written traditions of West African and Caribbean lore.

The most widely told story is the one about how Anansi, a consummate storyteller in his own right, became the King of All Stories. He earned this right from the Sky God, Nyame, after having completed three difficult tasks involving the capture of a tiger, a python and a nest of hornets, which he accomplished employing deceit and subterfuge.

Anansi always succeeds in outwitting his adversaries and his sole defeat was at the hands of the Wax Girl, who Anansi met along the path one day. When the Wax Girl refused to acknowledge his greeting, Anansi became angry and began to kick her. Soon, his many legs were caught in the soft wax and he was unable to free himself. The villagers seized this opportunity to get even with Anansi for all of his misdeeds and beat him vigorously, and that is why he is now flat. The famous Uncle Remus story about Br'er Rabbit and the Tar Baby was derived from this tale originating from the West African nations of Ghana and Sierra Leone.

Piasa Bird 

An evil flying monster that ravaged Native American villages

The legend of the Piasa Bird has its roots in old Native American traditions. The Illini tribe, whose name became the basis for the eventual naming the State of Illinois, was responsible for giving this creature the name "Piasa", which means "a bird that devours men." It is described as being similar to a panther, but sporting elk-like horns, and having a winged body covered with greenish-black scales and a very long tail that wraps around its body and ends in a fish tail. The most remarkable feature of the Piasa Bird is its bearded, humanlike face that is endowed with huge fangs. Accounts by the Illini stated that the Piasa Bird was strong enough to carry off a fully grown buffalo in its talons

For years the fierce Piasa Bird continuously attacked Illini villages and slaughtered their people and their animals. Many warriors perished in failed attempts to kill the Piasa Bird, but the creature finally met its match in Chief Ouatoga. The elderly chief was determined to put an end to the destruction of his tribe's villages and the deaths of his people at the hands of the insatiable and murderous Piasa Bird. After a long fast, Ouatoga was visited in a dream by the Great Spirit who told him to arm a group of his best warriors with bows equipped with poison arrows and to set up an ambush outside the Piasa Bird's cave. The chief himself volunteered to be the bait to attract the creature into bowshot range.

As the Piasa Bird swept down and seized Ouatoga, the braves aimed their arrows at the vulnerable areas under the beast's wings where there were no protective scales. Hit by dozens of arrows, the fatally injured monster fell into the Mississippi River where it was swept away by the current. After recovering from his wounds, old Ouatoga led his people in a celebration of the demise of the evil Piasa Bird

La Llorona 

The terrifying ghost of a tormented woman

The legend of La Llorona is an archetypal tale of beauty, love, betrayal, madness, murder and misfortune. There are many different versions of this story which originated in Mexico, although it has been adopted throughout Latin America with many variations regarding the circumstances that lead to the unfolding of such sad and tragic events.

The accounts of La Llorona, the Weeping Woman, can be traced back to the early days of colonial Mexico, although there are references that predate the arrival of the Spanish. Most versions coincide in that there was a beautiful young woman from a humble background whose name was Maria. As the story goes, she observed a handsome young gentleman from a family of wealthy landowners in her village. Relying on her charm and her striking beauty, Maria eventually succeeded in attracting his attention and gaining his affection. Their relationship flourished and they ultimately married and had two children.

The early years of their marriage were full of happiness, but as time went on, Maria's husband gradually became more distant. He spent long hours away from home drinking and gambling with his friends and was rumored to have outside love interests. Maria slowly grew bitter about the way he seemed to pay more attention to their children than to her. Then one day, as she walked along the river with her children, she saw her husband riding in an elegant carriage with a young woman from a rich family in town. They both ignored her and continued on their way. Possessed by a jealous rage and a desire for revenge, Maria threw her children into the swiftly moving waters.

She quickly realized the finality of what she had done and began weeping inconsolably. Soon thereafter she hurled herself into the river at the same spot her children had drowned earlier. Within days, residents of the village began reporting seeing a pale ghostly figure gliding above the river weeping and crying out an anguished plea "Mis niños... ¿Dónde están mis niños?" (My children, where are my children?) Since that time the frightening apparition has been sighted repeatedly in many different places uttering the same impassioned supplication. Even today parents warn their children to approach the river with caution, lest they be seized by La Llorona and dragged beneath the river's waters to their certain deaths.

Kapre 

The cigar-smoking, tree-dwelling troll of the Philippines

Eyewitness accounts of Kapre sightings are so varied that it is difficult to classify this creature as fantasy or cryptid. Most people ascribe humanlike attributes to the Kapre, much like other legends from Filipino folklore, such as the Aswang, Tikbalang, Tiyanak, Nuno Sa Punso, Batibat and other magical denizens of the archipelago's tropical forests. However, the Kapre distinguishes himself among these less plausible monsters in that he is sometimes seen to possess characteristics similar to those of Bigfoot, the North American hairy hominid that has enjoyed so much international fame for so many years. Indeed, the Kapre has been described as being covered with foul-smelling hair and having very big, wide feet.

Like Bigfoot, rural dwelling peoples say that if one puts out food for the Kapre, he will return at night with gifts for his benefactors. Native Americans reported that Bigfoot, whom they referred to as Sasquatch, would bring firewood for them if they left out food for him at night. Similarly, when Filipino families leave out rice for the Kapre, he is said to reciprocate by bringing back freshly caught fish or fruit from the forest.

Glowing red eyes are de rigueur for all monsters and cryptids, and the Kapre is no exception. Wearing only a loincloth called a bahag, he whittles away the hours sitting among the branches of a balete tree puffing continuously on a very large cigar. Some suggest that the red ashes from this cigar are the origin of the fireflies seen at night in the woods.

The Kapre takes a diabolical delight in confusing people and causing them to get lost in the forest, but is otherwise harmless to humans, provided one can be accepting of his inclination towards smoking, drinking and games of chance. It is said, however, that a Kapre sometimes will fall in love with somebody and once that happens, he will follow that person forever. This is enabled by an invisibility belt that he wears, although if somebody comes in contact with the Kapre, he will suddenly become visible to everyone present. The Kapre also carries a special white stone with magical powers. If one succeeds in obtaining it from him, the Kapre will grant that person any wish he or she desires.

The Green Man 

Iconic symbol of the natural cycle of growth and rebirth

Due to his ubiquitous presence throughout the British Isles, The Green Man is most often described as a "foliate head" that is associated with early European pagan rituals that predate Christianity. However, scholars have revealed that its origins are much more varied than that. The Green Man has enjoyed a presence in legends stretching from ancient Mesopotamia to the Indian subcontinent to imperial Rome.

English noblewoman and author Lady J. Raglan first used the term in a 1939 article in the British journal Folklore entitled "The Green Man in Church Architecture." This is the first widely recorded use of the expression, although references exist in French to La Tête de Feuilles, which translates as "the head of leaves." Similarly "Der Grune Mann" is often found in German texts.

Numerous degrees of Green Men have been postulated. The most humanlike of these is Jack in the Green, which is just a person's head emerging from a dense clump of leaves. The most common representation is perhaps the classical foliate head, where the face is actually comprised of leaves and twigs. Similar, but more extreme images depict a leafy head with twigs or branches emanating from the mouth, and others show these sprouting from the ears, eyes and nose as well.

The effigy of the Green Man has been used in connection with pagan fertility rites, as a protagonist in medieval pageants and processions, and as an embellishment for renaissance churches and public buildings. In more recent times, the identity of the Green Man has been used to name taverns and distilleries.

Some scholars have suggested that the Green Man provided the inspiration for literary heroes such as Robin Hood (dressed in green and resided in the forest) and Peter Pan (dressed in a tunic of leaves).

The Phii Krasue 

The Flying Entrail-Eating Disembodied Head

The Krasue of Thai mythology has it origins in the legends of the Khmer people in neighboring Cambodia. A Krasue is a female humanlike creature that resides in caves or abandoned buildings. It bears considerable similarity to the Malaysian penanggalan, and they may indeed be one and the same in that they share common attributes, the most prominent among these being the ability to detach their heads and fly through the air with stomach and intestines dangling beneath.

Thai traditions hold that once airborne under the cover of darkness, the Krasue will levitate through an open window in her victim's house and proceed to attack the residents. The Krasue exhibits a preference for the blood of teenage girls, but is equally satisfied to dine on the entrails of any household member. The Krasue can use her own intestines as tentacles to grasp people and objects, and this combined with her sharp teeth and insatiable appetite makes for a formidable adversary. One account suggests that when the Krasue is finished devouring rotten meat and kitchen garbage, she will drink out of the toilet and proceed to wipe her mouth on your clean laundry (just like your dog).

When the Krasue disconnects her head and departs trailing her insides behind her, the warm climate will cause the body left behind to begin to decompose almost immediately. The Krasue is able to overcome this problem by immersing her body in a tank full of vinegar, which will prevent it from decaying while she is absent.

Consequently, a strong smell of vinegar can be an indicator that the person you are speaking with could indeed be a Krasue. Just as Boto the Dolphin from Brazilian lore must wear a hat to conceal his blowhole when he assumes human form, similarly, when a Krasue's body is fully joined, she needs to wear a garment with a high neckline so as to cover the scar or mark where her head detaches at night.

Persons concerned about being victimized by the Krasue often rely upon that universal monster repellent, garlic. However, more effective protection can be secured by planting thorny bushes around the house, especially near the windows and doors. These will serve to entangle the Krasue's dangling intestines and flowing hair, and prevent the creature from entering. Some varieties of Krasue are capable of squeezing between the floorboards to gain entry, so it is advisable to plant spiny bushes underneath the house as an additional precaution.

A Krasue can be difficult to kill, but the time-honored method is to lie in hiding until she is seen to embark on her nighttime jaunts across the countryside and then enter her lair and fill her empty body cavity with pieces of broken glass and nails. Thus, when the Krasue returns and squeezes her entrails back into her body, these will be cut and shredded by the sharp objects. Burning or hiding the body is said to be equally effective.

Chupacabra Stuffed Animal 

Scare your friends and officemates with this fierce plush Chupacabra stuffed animal. Asuste a sus amigos y compañeros de trabajo con este feroz peluche Chupacabra.

This unique stuffed animal represents the mysterious Chupacabra, an enigmatic creature that has been sighted frequently throughout Latin America and United States. This Chupacabra is factory new with tags and measures 11 inches tall when in the sitting position and 16 inches long when lying down. The Chupacabra is recommended for children ages 6 and up.

Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by

Great monster gifts on CafePress 

Come and mingle with our monsters

Go to our Cryptocritters CafePress store and browse through our creative monster art on many different items from clothing to cards to mugs and steins. There are many cryptozoology products out there, but you will find ours to be truly unique. Everything we sell contains our own original designs and artwork. Check back soon for our St. Paddy's Day collection.

Piasa Bird Tote Bag

From: Cryptocritters - where smart monsters go to shop

The fearsome flying creature that terrified the Illini Tribe through the 1800's by ravaging its villages and devouring its members

Tote Bag

Price: 17.99

Young Mothman

From: Cryptocritters - where smart monsters go to shop

A business executive is in a hurry to get to the office but can't find the trousers to his new English worsted wool suit.

Mini Poster Print

Price: 9.99

How the Chupacabra Came to Earth Large Poster

From: Cryptocritters - where smart monsters go to shop

This 23" x 35" poster tells the story about how the Chupacabra came to earth as a pet on an alien space ship and then escaped during a brief stop to empty the ship's holding tanks.

Large Poster

Price: 22.99

Don't freeze me, bro! Value T-shirt

From: Cryptocritters - where smart monsters go to shop

Value T-Shirt

Price: 13.99

More monster gifts on CafePress 

The latest arrivals from monsterdom

We have recently added a number of new designs and product categories. Take a look at our unusual Chupacabra 404 Error mousepad.

Chupi Shopping Tote Bag

From: Cryptocritters - where smart monsters go to shop

Chupi takes Junior Chupacabra on a Saturday shopping expedition to the supermarket to buy poultry and other delights.

Price: 17.99

Chupacabra 404 Error Mousepad

From: Cryptocritters - where smart monsters go to shop

Your computer has generated a 404 Error. This is because the page you requested cannot be found due to the fact that a Chupacabra has grabbed it off the webserver and devoured it.

Price: 15.99

Anansi and Boto Large Mug

From: Cryptocritters - where smart monsters go to shop

Anansi the Spider and Boto the Dolphin are out on the town tonight visiting their favorite watering holes.

Price: 16.99

Mothman in the Moonlight 3.5" Button

From: Cryptocritters - where smart monsters go to shop

This button depicts the Mothman, a strange flying entity that was seen extensively during 1966 and 1967 in Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

Price: 4.99

Fiesta Chupacabra Ringer T

From: Cryptocritters - where smart monsters go to shop

Price: 19.99

Unique artistic monster gifts on eBay 

Meet our monsters: Chupacabra, Bigfoot, Mothman, Yeti, Mapinguary, Champ and the Gobi Death Worm.

At our Cryptocritters eBay store we offer a variety of unique gift items based on the creatures of Cryptozoology. Besides our stuffed animal and our line of T-Shirts, we have numbered limited edition posters individually signed by the artist.

Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by

Links to our favorite cryptozoology sites 

Chupi the Chupacabra's MySpace page

Chupi the Chupacabra tells us about himself and presents a slide show about how he came to earth on an alien spaceship. He also has a photo album of his life in a cave in Wyoming.

Please tell us if you like our site 

We appreciate any and all feedback regarding our site

Are you interested in monsters and cryptozoology? Have you had a personal experience with a cryptid? We would love to hear about it. Please tell us what you think about our products. Do you like them? If you don't, we need to know. Be frank, because the only way we can improve our products is by obtaining valuable feedback from the public.