Cryptid Of The Day: Wanjilanko

Tatzelwurm The tatzelwurm has a snake-like body between 2 and 6 feet in length, with two clawed front legs, but no hind legs. It has smooth hairless skin covered with delicate scales. Its most distinctive trait is a large head with big eyes similar to the head of a cat, except for it having scales instead of fur. The tatzelwurm can grow to at least six feet long, but some specimens, possibly juveniles, are considerably smaller. Local folklore holds that the Tatzelwurm is able to defend itself by expelling poisonous fumes that are capable of killing a human

One claimed photograph of the Tatzelwurm exists. It was taken in 1934 by Swiss photographer named Balkin who took a photo of what he thought was a very peculiar log. When the camera flashed, the “log” darted away.

Let’s say you’re being chased by a demon. Your first instinct is to run to a church because evil beings can’t step foot on holy ground, right? Well, that rule doesn’t apply to hellhounds. These black canines have been spotted across the world, and while some think they’re Satan’s attack dogs, others say they’re the devil incarnate. And despite their hellish nature, churches offer no sanctuary.

The most infamous hellhound attack took place on Sunday, August 4, 1577 in Suffolk, England. As the citizens of Bungay prayed inside St. Mary’s Church, a thunderstorm rocked the countryside. Hail pelted the church, and lightning flashed outside its walls, when suddenly a giant dog appeared. The canine leaped into the congregation and began ripping out throats. Just the heat emanating from the beast vaporized anyone who got too close. Some even say it used its front paws to strangle worshipers. By the time it was done, the hellhound had killed three churchgoers, but the night was still young! The black dog ran towards Blythburgh Church where it continued its carnage, claiming more souls before disappearing into the night.

So did a hellhound really attack Bungay and Blythburgh? Records show there was a thunderstorm on August 4, 1577, and that St. Mary’s steeple was struck by lightning. Further, the Churchwarden’s records indicate that two men died in the belfry that night. So was it a natural occurrence? Perhaps. But an old verse claims, “All down the church in the midst of fire, the hellish monster flew. And, passing onward to the quire, he many people slew.” And if you visit Blythburgh, you can still see where the hellhound supposedly scorched the church door.

Hidebehind 

A strong, nocturnal creature which feeds off the intestines of its prey. It captures and hides from wayfarers in the woods by sucking in its body so that it can hide behind the trunk of any tree, or the person trying to look at it. It is said they have an aversion to alcohol. 

Jorge Luis Borges - Book of Imaginary Beings

The Headline That Started It All

It all started in September of 1958 in a remote logging camp nestled near Bluff Creek, California where loggers were being terrorized by what they called “Bigfoot.” Each morning their camp would be covered in 16 inch tracks, and fruit was stolen from their worksites. The workers felt as if they were being watched at all times from within the forests. The strange occurrences even caused some of the workers to quit their jobs. The logging business in Bluff Creek started to slow due to a lack of workers.

Although the local police department ensured the workers and the townsfolk that it was all just an elaborate prank, the workers insisted that this was all too real. In fact some of the logging veterans had even said they’ve experienced strange activity in the forests for years. The activity in the area slowly escalated until Rey Kerr and Leslie Breazeale saw the creature responsible. In the early morning on their way to work the two loggers spotted a bipedal ape run out in front of their vehicle. They described it as an 8 foot tall creature with long arms, broad shoulders and covered in dark fur. After the creature disappeared into the forest they got out only to see the same sized footprints that had been seen all over the logging site.

On October 15, 1958 the Eureka Humbolt Standard released an article titled “Eyewitnesses See Bigfoot.” The article got a lot of attention and the creature known as Bigfoot gained a lot of popularity. The creature would claim worldwide fame 9 years later when Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin would capture the legendary Bigfoot on film for the first time in the same area.

The door of the Holy Trinity Church in Blythburgh, England, boasts the proposed claw marks of Black Shuck. On August 4th, 1577, the Hellhound burst through the door of the church during a thunderstorm, interrupting the congregation in their meeting. Records state that two people, a man and a boy, were killed by the beast and the steeple of the church collapsed.  The marks were made when Black Shuck left the church after the attack. 

Target Practice

Thylacine

Author: 1911 footage by “Mr. Williamson”, 1933 footage by David Fleay. Authors of the 1928 footage are unknown. Date: 1911, 1928 (2-4), and 1933.