Cryptids of North America: Six Urban Legends Terrorizing the American Psyche

Daniel Bonfiglio Published 05/12/2024 in wtf

Humans have the tendency to see things that aren't real, or at least things we can't explain to everybody else. Very often those things are terrifying creatures of the night; remnants of our time as cavemen and prey. But what if some of them were real?

By definition, a cryptid is an "animal that has been claimed to exist but has never been proven to do so." In folklore however, they mean much more. Be it Big Foot or the Loch Ness Monster, you've definitely heard of a few, and you probably have some opinions. But not all cryptids are as terrifying as the New Jersey Devil. Some are much cuter, and occupy a different place in their region's folklore.

If you want to learn about a few of the more interesting North American cryptids, have a click through this informative gallery. We're willing to bet you've never heard of the Ohio Frogman. Heck, neither have people from Ohio.

List View
Player View
Grid View

1.
2.
Sasquatch, also known as Bigfoot, is a mythical creature that some say lives in the forests of North America, especially the Pacific Northwest. Sasquatch is described as a large, hairy human-like ape that is usually between 6 and 15 feet tall. Certainly the most famous of the cryptids, people have been hunting bigfoot forever. And although curious tracks and pixelated photos pop up wherever you go, his beef jerky commercials are still the clearest view we’ll ever get.
3.
This footage is the most famous Sasquatch sighting, and comes from a 1967 video filmed by Roger Patterson.
4.
5.
The Loveland Frogmen are native to Clermont County Ohio, and are bipedal giant frogs. They reportedly have the ability to use sticks as tools, and emit sparks. There have been four official sightings, and the Frogmen was first seen by businessman Robert Hunnicott at 3am in 1955. His descriptions were later corroborated by two police officers who saw similar beings. One officer even shot at it. This might be the cutest cryptid, although it is less well known than some others.
6.
7.
8.
The Jersey Devil is a creature native to the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. It is often described as having hooves, a snake's tail, bat-wings and a head that looks like a horse. The Devil can glow and breathe fire, and has been consistently sighted since 1700. The Lenape tribes, Swedish explorers, and Napoleon’s brother all claimed to have seen it. Modern sightings have transcended the original shape, and it has found a place in pop culture.
9.
10.
11.
Skinwalkers began as fictional shape-shifting creatures in Navajo culture that can turn into, possess, or disguise themselves as animals. However, sightings around the globe have turned many into believers. Those groups still include many Native American communities. This Facebook photo from 2018 was taken near Lybrook and Counselor.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Also, skinwalker aficionados want us to remember that skinwalkers are not technically cryptids, but I digress.
16.
The “Pope Lick Monster,” also known as the “Goat Man,” appears as a human-goat hybrid reported to live beneath a railroad trestle bridge over Pope Lick Creek near Louisville Kentucky. The Pope Lick Monster has no official sightings, and is more a myth than anything else. The bridge itself has proven dangerous for people trying to climb it, or walk across it as trains approach. The Goat Man is also thought of as the spirit of these unlucky people.
17.
If you can see anything in these pics then props to you.
18.
19.
20.
The Chupacabra, also known as the "goat sucker," is a dog-like creature legendary to Mexico. Like some others on this list, it is more legend than believed. There is also evidence it has been used as propaganda distractions from other events.
21.
22.
23.
24.

1.
2.
Sasquatch, also known as Bigfoot, is a mythical creature that some say lives in the forests of North America, especially the Pacific Northwest. Sasquatch is described as a large, hairy human-like ape that is usually between 6 and 15 feet tall. Certainly the most famous of the cryptids, people have been hunting bigfoot forever. And although curious tracks and pixelated photos pop up wherever you go, his beef jerky commercials are still the clearest view we’ll ever get.
3.
This footage is the most famous Sasquatch sighting, and comes from a 1967 video filmed by Roger Patterson.
4.
5.
The Loveland Frogmen are native to Clermont County Ohio, and are bipedal giant frogs. They reportedly have the ability to use sticks as tools, and emit sparks. There have been four official sightings, and the Frogmen was first seen by businessman Robert Hunnicott at 3am in 1955. His descriptions were later corroborated by two police officers who saw similar beings. One officer even shot at it. This might be the cutest cryptid, although it is less well known than some others.
6.
7.
8.
The Jersey Devil is a creature native to the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. It is often described as having hooves, a snake's tail, bat-wings and a head that looks like a horse. The Devil can glow and breathe fire, and has been consistently sighted since 1700. The Lenape tribes, Swedish explorers, and Napoleon’s brother all claimed to have seen it. Modern sightings have transcended the original shape, and it has found a place in pop culture.
9.
10.
11.
Skinwalkers began as fictional shape-shifting creatures in Navajo culture that can turn into, possess, or disguise themselves as animals. However, sightings around the globe have turned many into believers. Those groups still include many Native American communities. This Facebook photo from 2018 was taken near Lybrook and Counselor.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Also, skinwalker aficionados want us to remember that skinwalkers are not technically cryptids, but I digress.
16.
The “Pope Lick Monster,” also known as the “Goat Man,” appears as a human-goat hybrid reported to live beneath a railroad trestle bridge over Pope Lick Creek near Louisville Kentucky. The Pope Lick Monster has no official sightings, and is more a myth than anything else. The bridge itself has proven dangerous for people trying to climb it, or walk across it as trains approach. The Goat Man is also thought of as the spirit of these unlucky people.
17.
If you can see anything in these pics then props to you.
18.
19.
20.
The Chupacabra, also known as the "goat sucker," is a dog-like creature legendary to Mexico. Like some others on this list, it is more legend than believed. There is also evidence it has been used as propaganda distractions from other events.
21.
22.
23.
24.