Do You Believe In Bigfoot?

Cryptids are often interesting subjects for humans due to their mystique. However, many cryptids get their origins in folklore and have cultural significance from traditions around the world. Whether you believe them or not, cryptids give us insight into types of pseudoscience, culture, and warnings— sometimes, like in the case of the platypus or giant squid, cryptids even turn out to be real.

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1. Giant Thunderbirds

Giant Thunderbirds are cryptids that exist from Northern Canada to Central America, and are often attributed to Native American mythology. These birds are said to be so large that they can carry whales back to their nests, and when they flapped their wings, thunder was created. The first recorded attack from a Thunderbird happened in 1977 in Lawndale, Illinois, after two large birds picked up a 10-year-old boy who was playing outside.

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2. Mokele-Mbembe

The Mokele-mbembe is a water-dwelling entity that lives in the Congo River Basin. The creature was first spotted in 1776 and became a focus point for cryptozoologists in the mid-20th century. While believed to be a spirit, the Mokele-Mbembe may be a member of the extinct lineage of sauropods.

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3. J’ba Fofi

Also referred to as the Congolese Giant Spiders, this group of arachnids is also based in the forests of the Congo. They’re often described as brown, with their eggs being a pale yellow-white. The J’ba Fofi uses predatory behavior like a trap-door spider, in which it uses its webbing like trip lines, leading a victim right into a web.

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4. Mantis Man

Mantis man is a New Jersey-based cryptid that was first sighted in 2002. The creature is described as a 7-foot-tall praying mantis, often seen near the river. It appears to be quite harmless and never chases any of its human encounters.

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5. The Fjörulalli

Also known as the Shore Laddie, these creatures are said to exist along the Icelandic coasts. The Fjörulalli are reported to have brownish-gray fur, webbed feet, and are around the size of a ram. The creature was thought to be herbivorous, but there have also been claims that it feeds on sheep and pregnant women.

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6. The Adjulé

The Adjule, or bush Dog, is a cryptid canine that is said to live in North Africa, close to the Sahara Desert. Adjustles are described as being two and a half feet tall, having webbed feet, and having thick, crimson skin. The Adjule was first reported in 1928, and has not been seen since 1992.

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7. The Akhlut

The Akhlut is a cryptid from Inuit mythology that can take the form of a wolf and an orca, making it dangerous by land and sea. It is said to be quite vicious and will eat anything that’s close by. This myth also affects our furry friends, as it’s also believed that dogs walking into or from the ocean are considered evil.

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8. The Deep Sea Abominable Snowman

Yes, you heard that right. The first recorded Deep Sea Abominable Snowman encounter was from 1985, recorded in Charles Berlitz's Without a Trace. The record describes a 200-pound turtle or fish with the face of a monkey, a long neck, and enlarged human-like eyes.

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9. Dover Demon

The Dover Demon was a 1977 cryptid sighting in Dover, Massachusetts. A 17-year-old boy claimed he saw a four-foot-tall creature with glowing orange eyes, no nose or mouth, and a watermelon-shaped head. Two other boys also claimed to have seen the creature, but it hasn’t been seen since.

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10. Rods

Rods are small flying insects that typically appear in photos and video recordings. While typically seen today as a trick of lighting, motion blur, or long exposure times, many cryptozoologists believe these tiny creatures to be paranormal.

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1. The Loch Ness Monster

This well-known Scottish cryptid is said to live in the Scottish Highlands. Said to be quite large, with a long neck and humps protruding from the water, Nessie was first brought to worldwide attention in 1933, but actually has recorded sightings dating back to the 7th century.

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2. Yeti

The Yeti is an ape-like creature that is said to live in the Himalayan Mountain Range. It’s often described as quite large, covered in brown, grey, or white hair, and occasionally depicted with large, sharp teeth. Tibetan mythology also describes three varieties of Yetis, known as the Nyalmo, the Chuti, and the Rang Shim Bombo.

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3. Chupacabra

The Chupacabra is a legendary cryptid that has been seen across the Americas, but is believed to originate from Puerto Rico. The creature, which literally translates to “goat-sucker,” is described as a similar size to a small bad, with a reptilian head and a row of spines reaching from neck to tail. The chupacabra is known for its purported vampirism.

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4. Mothman

Mothman was a humanoid creature that was seen in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in 1966 and 1967. The first report on this creature was described as a large dark figure with glowing red eyes, while the second report described a slender, muscular man of about 7 feet tall. While he hasn’t been seen since, Mothman is celebrated annually in Point Pleasant and even has his own statue.

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5. The Jersey Devil

The Jersey Devil is a cryptid based on Jersey and Philadelphia folklore. It’s often described as a biped with hooves, a body like a kangaroo or wyvern, a horse or goat-like head, and leathery bat wings. The creature is said to be quite fast and emits a high-pitched, blood-curdling scream.

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6. Bigfoot

Also referred to as the Sasquatch, Bigfoot is a large mythical creature that lives in the Pacific Northwest. Reports of Bigfoot have existed since the 19th century, and have been considered a cultural icon since the mid-20th century in both the USA and Canada.

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7. Not-Deer

Not-deer are creatures that inhabit the Appalachian Mountains. Typically first seen as a normal deer, not-deers are said to have longer limbs, front-facing eyes, and a barrel-shaped chest. Not-deers will approach humans and will not attack unless provoked.

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8. Mongolian Death Worm

The Mongolian Death Worm is a creature that is said to exist in the Gobi Desert. The creature is described as two feet long, with no head or legs, and poisonous to the touch. The death worm is said to live underground and can kill at a distance by spraying venom at its prey.

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9. Fresno Nightcrawler

The Fresno Nightcrawler is a cryptid that was seen in Fresno, California, and in Yosemite National Park. The creature is described as short, thin, armless, and has webbing connecting each knee to its torso. The creature was first spotted in 2007 and was most recently spotted in 2020.

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10. Skin-Walkers

According to the Navajo, skin-walkers are a type of witch that can turn into, possess, or disguise themselves as an animal. The Navajo translation, yee naaldooshii, translates to “by means of it, it goes on all fours.” Skin-walkers are seen as manipulative, malevolent, and work directly to undo the healing powers of Navajo medicine people.

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