Buzz
Our myths and records are teeming with mysterious cryptids and horrifying beasts, some of which are believed to have actually existed. However, more often than not, these tales of eerie creatures remain just that: stories; imagined beings created for the thrill of a good narrative. Yet, not all outlandish monsters are purely mythical, and there’s enough evidence to suggest they might still walk among us. Here are the top 10 spine-chilling creatures that could still exist.
10. Dobhar-chú
The Dobhar-chú is a fearsome cryptid originating from Ireland. Also known as the water hound or the King Otter, this creature is a hybrid of dog and fish but is five times the size of a typical otter. It can both swim and run on land, reportedly as fast as a galloping horse. The Dobhar-chú hunts in pairs or groups and will pursue its prey from the water to the land.
The Dobhar-chú is known for its vicious nature, particularly towards humans and dogs, whom it will kill and consume. One of the most famous legends surrounding its hostility involves a 17th-century couple. Grace McGloighlin was washing clothes at Glenade Lough when her husband heard her scream. By the time he reached her, it was too late; the Dobhar-chú stood over her mangled body. He managed to stab the creature in the heart, but as it died, it emitted a whistling sound that alerted its mate. The second Dobhar-chú pursued and killed the husband as well.
Found in the freshwater loughs and rivers of Ireland, this creature has been spotted by witnesses across the centuries. Though it is now believed to be extinct, there remains a chance that they still inhabit Achill Island.
9. Mamlambo
If underwater cryptids and strange creatures weren’t terrifying enough, the mamlambo will make you think twice before venturing into the water. The mamlambo is a reptilian creature measuring around 6 to 7 feet long, originating from South African and Zulu mythology. Some witnesses describe it as a massive bioluminescent serpent, while others depict it as a hybrid of snake, crocodile, and horse, complete with four short legs.
The mamlambo attacks its prey, including humans, dragging them to the bottom of the Mzintlava River in South Africa. Once the victim drowns, it consumes their face, cracks their skull, and feasts on their brains.
Villagers living near the Mzintlava River have reported sightings of the mamlambo for many years. However, local authorities have dismissed these claims, attributing the deaths to drowning from the river's rising waters during heavy rains. They suggest that the disfigurement of the victims’ faces was caused by river crabs feeding on the bodies. Still, the villagers remain firm in their belief that the mamlambo exists.
8. Deer Women
Add the deer women to your list of legendary femme fatales. For Native American tribes of the Central Plains and Woodland regions, deer women are generally viewed as a benevolent spirit. They often appear to women as a symbol of fertility, taking the form of a human, a deer, or a hybrid of the two. Occasionally, they would show themselves to promiscuous men and adulterers, seducing them before leading them to their death or a fate of eternal lovesickness.
In modern-day stories among the native tribes in Oklahoma, the deer women take on a far more violent role. These spirits appear as young women, but with hooves instead of feet and deer-like eyes. They draw men to them before trampling them to death. Some believe that deer women are women transformed after being raped or that they were resurrected by the spirit of an original Deer Woman. No matter their origin, sightings of deer women have been reported by numerous Native American tribes.
7. El Chupacabras
The legendary chupacabra, a blood-sucking creature preying on livestock, is a classic tale of terror. First spotted in Puerto Rico in 1995, the chupacabra—or 'goat sucker'—attacks livestock and drains their blood. About the size of a small bear, it has spiny ridges running down its back, stands and hops like a kangaroo, and has greenish-grey, leathery skin. A more ‘ordinary’ version of the creature resembles a wild dog. All of its victims are left with two or three puncture wounds on their chest or neck. Since its initial sighting, reports of chupacabra encounters have surfaced in places like Maine, northern Mexico, Russia, and Chile.
Wildlife experts and biologists dismiss the idea of the chupacabra’s existence. They argue that witnesses are likely seeing coyotes suffering from mange or Mexican hairless dogs. However, there is still a possibility that a ‘chupacabra’ does exist, albeit not in an extraterrestrial form. Footage has shown a strange dog with an unusually large head, thought to be a chupacabra, running down a dirt road. In 2010, animal control killed a creature believed to be a chupacabra, which was later identified as a coyote-dog hybrid suffering from mange and parasites.
What the witness saw in 1995, however, was certainly not a hairless dog. It was something out of a nightmare.
6. Black Stick Men
They’re not Slenderman, and they’re not ghosts; these are Black Stick Men. Black Stick Men are tall, two-dimensional, thin figures. They are unnaturally tall, sometimes described as electrified, and they cast no shadows. These entities are a relatively recent phenomenon, and many reported sightings have been debunked as hoaxes. However, cryptozoologist Marc Wolfgang Miller claimed to have seen six of them in Buford, Wyoming. He tried to photograph a 12-foot tall stick man, but the creature didn’t appear clearly in the photo.
5. Fresno Nightcrawler
The Fresno Nightcrawler is a white, bipedal entity with a remarkably small torso, a round head, and no arms. The majority of its body is comprised of its long legs. Initially thought to be part of Native American folklore, this notion is false, leading many to speculate that it could be an alien of sorts. First spotted on a home security camera in Fresno, California, the creature has only been seen once more, in Yosemite National Park.
4. Snallygaster
While its name might sound amusing, the snallygaster is far from comical. Rooted in Germanic superstition and first reported by residents of Frederick County, Maryland, this creature is described as a dragon-like being—half reptile, half bird—with razor-sharp teeth. Early versions of the snallygaster myth even portrayed it with octopus and vampiric features.
In 1909, the legend seemed to come to life. As stories about encounters with the beast began appearing in newspapers, the snallygaster was reportedly sighted across various states, from New Jersey to Ohio. Eyewitnesses claimed the creature had a single eye in the center of its forehead.
In the same year, a chilling tale surfaced of a man being abducted by the snallygaster and drained of his blood, which caught the attention of the Smithsonian Institute. The Institute even offered a reward for anyone who could bring in the creature’s hide. The story was so unsettling that President Theodore Roosevelt considered delaying his trip to hunt it.
The final reported sighting of the snallygaster comes from Washington County, Maryland. According to the story, the creature was overcome by the fumes of moonshine and fell from the sky into a still. Revenue agents quickly destroyed both the vat and the snallygaster’s body. Since then, there have been no further sightings.
3. Mothman
One chilly autumn night in 1965, the infamous Mothman made his appearance in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. As five men were preparing for a burial, they witnessed something soar out of the trees. What they saw wasn’t a bird, but a horrifying humanoid figure. The Mothman is not a moth at all. Standing at about 7 feet tall with a wingspan of 10 to 15 feet, it has two glowing red eyes in the center of its chest and moves awkwardly like a penguin when it folds its wings. Those who lock eyes with it or glimpse its face are overcome by a deep sense of dread, mental anguish, and an overwhelming aura of evil.
Some speculate that Mothman is a harbinger of impending disasters. Others think it could be an angel, demon, or a consequence of a curse. Despite being spotted regularly since 1965, Mothman is still largely regarded as a legend—or simply the misidentification of a sandhill crane.
And so, those are ten creepy creatures that might just exist. If you ever find yourself fortunate—or unfortunate—enough to encounter one of these beings, be sure to snap a photo. After all, you’ll need to prove it wasn’t just a hoax.
2. Mantis Man
Here’s a creature that’s not only unsettling but a bit elusive as well. The Mantis Man is a 7-foot-tall insectoid being that bears a striking resemblance to a praying mantis. Definitely not a creature for those with a fear of bugs! Encounter reports describe it as wading through the Musconetcong River in New Jersey, which is quite odd since praying mantises don’t typically hang around water.
The location of these sightings, along with the fact that Earth’s atmosphere doesn’t support insects of that size, has led some to speculate that the Mantis Man might be an aquatic creature, or possibly an alien. Regardless of its origins, there’s no need to fear an attack if you come across one. All sightings state that it flees when approached.
1. Mogollon Monster
In 1903, I.W. Stevens reported an encounter with a humanoid creature in the Grand Canyon, covered in grey fur with a beard reaching down to its knees. It had two-inch-long talons and was drinking the blood of two cougars. Almost four decades later, cryptozoologist Don Davis came across the same creature while on a Boy Scout trip. The enormous beast had deep-set, emotionless eyes.
This is the Mogollon Monster. It strides with unnaturally long steps, can mimic the sounds of animals, and lets out a bone-chilling scream. The creature is still reportedly seen by people, including several witnesses on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. Despite video footage and biological samples, biologists continue to dispute its existence.
