DUMBRIA SPAIN - MAY 1: The sculpture of the werewolf “The Vákner” on the Camino de Fisterra on May 1, 2023, Dumbria, Galicia, Spain. The Camino de Fisterra is the continuation of the Camino de Santiago, where the end of the route is the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, or walkers can follow the route to Cape Finisterre, where in ancient times it was thought that the world ended. (Photo by Xurxo Lobato/Getty Images)

No this is not a list of creepy looking bugs and spiders. Some of the scariest beings in this world are often times the least well known. This is where the field of Cryptozoology comes in. Cryptozoology is a pseudoscience that studies and searches for legendary, extinct, or unknown animals. Examples include Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster and the Chupacabra, these creatures individually are called “Cryptids” within this community.

While it’s easy for people to just simply dismiss these animals as fake, several have hundreds of years of history to them. I for one am absolutely fascinated in this field and find that in reality we are closer to proving they are real then not. It’s always important to remember that calling a video fake does not prove something doesn’t exist. Also, thousands upon thousands of people have encountered numerous creatures that can only be labeled as “Cryptids”, or one of these unknown animals.

Here I have compiled a list of the most chilling monsters that many have spotted right here in America. Some even in our own backyard here in Michigan. I am not here to convince you that you must believe in these beings. I will give you the interesting backstories and ample video evidence that will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up! Find out which terrifying animals you’ll be thinking of next time you go to the woods!

  • The Dog Man

    The Dogman is similar to what many people would describe a werewolf as. However, a werewolf involves the transformation of a human into a monster. Whereas the Dogman is just a human-like dog creature. The Michigan Dogman was reportedly first sighted in Wexford County, Michigan in 1887. Since then, numerous locations in the state have had reported sightings. Most witnesses reported these sightings in the Northwestern part of the Lower Peninsula. In 1937 in Paris, Michigan, Robert Fortney was attacked by five dogs in the woods and said one of the dogs walked on two legs. Eerily similar accounts also came from Allegan County in the 1950s and in Cross Village and Manistee County in 1967.

    Locally
    In 1987, the legend of the Michigan Dogman gained popularity when local radio host Steve Cook at WTCM-FM in Traverse City recorded a song about the creature titled “The Legend”. Interestingly enough, Cook actually played the song as an April Fool’s Joke. But after that song was played, the fame of the Michigan Dogman was well known to many.

    Skip to 2:39 in the video to see a description of an encounter with this creature in our very own city of Big Rapids, Michigan and if you’d like some more info on this monster.

  • Skinwalker

    The Legend of the Navajo Skinwalker is similar to the werewolf. A normal man discovers the ability to completely change into the form of an animal at night. Of course, after transforming his actions become nearly pure evil. But Skinwalkers have a special curse. Theirs is wanted and acquired, meaning they don’t have the misfortune of being bitten and forced into becoming a monster. Instead, they want it and are willing to perform sadistic rites of pure evil in order to obtain their powers, unlike a werewolf.

  • The Mothman

    The Mothman traces its origin to Point Pleasant, Virginia in 1966. What is truly terrifying about this creature is that supposedly it is a harbinger of doom. Meaning if you see this half-moth half-man creature flying in the night, something terrible is going to happen. Less than 1 month after the Mothman was first seen in Point Pleasant, the being was spotted again flying over the Silver Bridge. This occurred on the same morning that the bridge collapsed and killed 46 people…

  • Bigfoot or Sasquatch

    Without a doubt the most famous of all of these creatures is Bigfoot. Surprisingly though, Bigfoot is not known to be violent or evil in almost all of the reported sightings. Often times Bigfoot is simply spotted standing in the forest hiding or walking by. Bigfoot has been a phenomenon ever since the Patterson footage from 1967. Bigfoot actually has several different names that they are called depending on the region. For instance, they’re called “Skunk Apes” in the Southeastern U.S. “Yeti” in the Himalayan mountains, “Yowie” in Australia and of course “Sasquatch” in the Pacific Northwest.

  • The Wendigo

    The Wendigo is a terrifying creature that is based in Native American culture. The monster is known to have human-like features but also has claws and a propensity for violence. This monster represents the worst in humanity as well as the harsh winter months. Given its origin long ago, the winters were a time of severe hardship with low food sources and bitter temperatures. During these times some people resorted to cannibalism as well.

    The Wendigo is unique in its ability to be able to possess a person’s body, make them behave violently and eventually leads them to their own death. It’s even known to imitate human voices and call for help to lure their next meal in. This is truly one of the most horrifying creatures of the night and will make you think twice before leaving your door unlocked.

  • The Beast of Bray Road

    A creature that can only be described as some of type of hellhound. This monster has eluded cameras for years despite numerous people spotting the beast. This animal is well known to the local farmers in the area and somehow seems to shroud itself from cameras even when being pointed directly at. Some have speculated that the beast is some type of hellhound guarding a hidden portal to hell near Bray Road in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. This creature gathered enough attention to be featured on the show “Monsters and Mysteries in America”.

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