Cryptids are creatures that have developed cult followings despite their dubious relationship with reality.
Helmingham bestiary and mythical creatures. Rawpixel. CC0.
Cryptids are creatures or animals that cryptozoologists believe exist in the wild, but whose present existence is unsubstantiated by science. Tales of such creatures can be found all around the world and are often the subject of modern folklore. Whether you or not you are a believer, cryptids are a point of fascination for anyone who relishes in the macabre.
1. The Mothman
Point Pleasant, West Virginia
The illusive mothman creature, with red eyes, wings, and a humanoid body. Steve Baxter. CC0.
In the small town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, it is said that the infamous Mothman creature has haunted the woods and terrorized residents since 1966. First sighted by teenagers driving on State Route 62 near an abandoned National Guard Armory building, the creature is described as being six to seven feet tall with red eyes and wings like a moth. Since its first appearance in the public’s imagination the Mothman has reached mythical status, with statues, restaurants and other tourist attractions erected in its honor.
2. Chupacabra
Mexico and Southwestern United States
The chupacabra is said to feed on human and animal blood. Michael Snipes. CC-BY-SA 2.0
Chupacabras are said to be vampire-like creatures that are often blamed for attacks on goats, sheep and other domesticated animals. According to legend, the creature stands upright and resembles a large reptilian kangaroo. First reported in 1995, many believe the appearance of the Chupacabra in the collective imagination of Mexico and the Southwestern United states was highly influenced by the horror movies of the time. That being said, the Chupacabra continues to haunt the hearts and minds of the Great Basin.
3. J’ba FoFi
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The J’ba FoFi is a giant spider said to live in the Congolese jungle. Flickr. CC0.
The J'ba Fofi, also known as the Congolese Giant Spiders, are a type of large arachnid cryptid said to inhabit the forests of the Congo, hypothesized to be a new species of spider. The J’ba FoFi is said to hunt vertebrates rather than the insects its kind normally consume. The creature creates a network of webbing that operates as trip wires for approaching prey. They are said to burrow under trees and have large, yellow eggs. The existence of this giant spider, whether it is a yet-undiscovered species or simply a myth, remains unclear.
4. Loch Ness Monster
Scotland
Sighting of the Loch Ness monster. Ad Meskens. CC-BY-SA 3.0
One of the most famous cryptids in the world, the Loch Ness Monster is a creature said to inhabit Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. It is described as a large animal, with a long neck and often several humps protruding out of the water. Hypothesized to be the last descendant of an extinct species, potentially dating back to the time of dinosaurs, the existence of the Loch Ness Monster has never been confirmed. “Nessie,” as the behemoth is affectionately known to fans, has been the subject of sustained curiosity and numerous hoaxes, capturing the public’s attention despite the creature’s dubious link to reality.
5. Hibagon
Japan
The Hibagon is a Japanese, humanoid cryptid. John Doherty. CC0.
The Hibagon is a Japanese Bigfoot-like creature said to live on Mount Hiba, Hiroshima Prefecture. First sighted in 1970, the Hibagon is described as an ape-like being that walks upright and is approximately six feet tall. There have been many more sightings of the Hibagon since the ‘70s, causing a Hibagon craze that has become a fixture of the local tourist industry. The existence of such a creature remains unconfirmed.
Sophia Larson
Sophia Larson is a recent graduate of Barnard College at Columbia University. She previously worked as the Assistant Editor on the 2021 book Young People of the Pandemic. She has also participated as a writer and editor at several student news publications, including “The UMass Daily Collegian” and “Bwog, Columbia Student News.”