Clik here to view.
Xicalcoatl
Variations: Jicara Snake, Chocolate Cup Snake, Malinche Both large and small varieties of the Xicalcoatl, the Aztec “Chocolate Cup Snake”, exist, and may be found in the waterways of Mexico. They are...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Lupeux
“Ah, ah! Ah, ah!” The sound echoes through the still, moonlit ponds of Brenne. “Ah, ah, ah!” It’s a pleasant, gently teasing sort of laugh, in a soft human voice. You look around you, but the sound is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Dungavenhooter
Variations: Crocodilus hauriens The Dungavenhooter is a Fearsome Critter found lurking in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, although it once ranged as far as Maine. This cunning and dangerous swamp-dweller...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Hidebehind
Variations: Hide-behind, Hide Behind, Ursus dissimulans (Tryon) Hidebehinds are very dangerous animals, found throughout American logging country. It gets its name from always hiding behind something,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Fearsome Critters
Variations: Fearsome Creatures, Paul Bunyan Creatures, Lumberjack Tall Tales, and so on “Fearsome Critter” is a catchall term used for a mixed and problematic grouping of creatures. They are all said...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Yeitso
Variations: Ye-i-tso, Ye’i-tsoh, Ye’i-tsoh Lai’ Nayai Yeitso, “Big Monster”, was the greatest, the most feared, and the largest of the Anaye, or the “Alien Gods” who were the bane of the Navajo. The...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Tlilcoatl
Variations: Acoatl The Tlilcoatl (“black snake”) or Acoatl (“water snake”) is a long, powerful snake found in the swamps and waterlogged caves of Mexico. This glossy black snake is thick enough that a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Making of ABC, Episode III: Anaye Genesis
When I describe ABC as “my life’s work” and “years in the making”, I’m not even exaggerating. As mighty acorns grow from tiny trees, so the origins of ABC can be found in the humble doodles of an...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Lolmischo
Variations: Lolimišo, Lolmishi, Lolmistro Lolmischo, the “Red Mouse”, the seventh of the Children of Ana, and her fourth son. Like his siblings, he was conceived by the Keshalyi fairy Ana and her...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Chipfalamfula
Chipfalamfula, “River-Shutter”, is an enormous aquatic creature found in Ronga Bantu tales and waterways of Mozambique, notably in the bay of Delagoa. It is of indeterminate gender and species, being...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Balbal
Hooked nails, gliding flight, and a long, long tongue are the hallmarks of the Balbal. While its depredations are described in Tagbanua folklore, it is itself accused of hailing from predominantly...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Cerastes
Variations: Kerastes (Greek); Ceristalis, Cristalis, Sirtalis, Tristalis (corrupted from original Latin Cerastes); Cerust (Arabian); Schephiphon (Hebrew); En Geburnte Schlang (German); Ceraste, Serpent...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Biasd Na Srogaig
Variations: Biasd Na Sgrogag, Biasd Na Grogaig (typo), Béist Na Sgrogaig, The Beast of the Lowering Horn The Biasd Na Srogaig, the “Beast of the Lowering Horn”, is a unicorn or lake monster native to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Beathach Mòr Loch Odha
Variations: Big Beast of Loch Awe, Big Beast of Lochawe Like so many other lake monsters, the true nature and appearance of the Beathach Mòr Loch Odha, the “Big Beast of Loch Awe”, is shrouded in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
ABC Reviews: The Book of Beasts
The Book of Beasts Angela Rizza and Jonny Marx Today’s book review was suggested by Nick M., and it’s an unusual one compared to what I usually cover. It’s called The Book of Beasts (TBB henceforth),...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Camphruch
Variations: Camphur (Paré), Camphurch (Aldrovandi) The only description of the piscivorous Camphruch is provided by Thevet, who places this unusual unicorn in the Maluku Islands. Paré copies Thevet’s...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Minceskro
Variations: Minceskre, Minčeskre, Minceskol Minceskro, “the one who came up from the female genitals”, is the eighth child and fourth daughter of Ana, Queen of the Keshalyi, and the King of the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Carbunclo
Variations: Carbunco, Carbúnculo; Añapitan, Agnapitan; Inuyucoy (Pira); Oñánge-píta (“Devil”, Guaranani); Carbuncle, Glow Beast (English) Carbunclo (Spanish) and carbuncle (English) are both derived...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sachamama
Variations: Sach’amama, Sacha-mama, Sach’a-mama, Sacha Mama, Sach’a Mama Sachamama, “Mother of the Forest”, is one of the three ancient snake mothers of the Peruvian Amazon. She is the mythological boa...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Yakumama
Variations: Yakumaman, Yacumama, Yacumaman; Puragua; Anaconda Yakumama, “Mother of the Waters”, is one of the three ancient snake mothers of the Peruvian Amazon. She is the anaconda magnified and...
View Article