Cryptid Sightings: An American Tradition

A fascinating but often overlooked aspect of American culture and history is the nation’s folklore. The U.S. has one of the richest folkloric traditions in the world, drawing on a diverse range of sources and the vastness of the country itself. Because of this, America has one of the largest and strangest collections of legendary animals in the world, chiefly cryptids.

Between Bigfoot, Mothman, the Jersey Devil, and more, the reported sighting and stories about cryptids is practically an American tradition. The idea of legendary creatures roaming undiscovered in the diverse biomes of North America has captivated the country since before its creation, and stories about these creatures started to become increasingly common in the 19th century.

A unique category of cryptid in American storytelling history is the fearsome critter. These creatures originated from tales told around logging camps in the 19th century. Many fearsome critters are ridiculous in nature or deliberate jokes, such as the Axehandle hound, which resembles and subsists on axe handles.

The squonk is another fearsome critter from Pennsylvania, supposedly so ugly that it constantly cries and sometimes even dissolves itself in tears. In Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the squonk is celebrated at the cryptid-themed event “Squonkapalooza” every August.

A local cryptid we are familiar with in Florida is the Skunk Ape, a hulking, foul-smelling humanoid creature resembling an ape. The creature supposedly dwells in Florida’s forests and swamps, usually found in southern Florida around the Everglades but there have been sightings as far north as Sarasota. 

The legend of the Skunk Ape is surprisingly popular. There is a research center dedicated to the creature in Ochopee, Florida. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gatorland Orlando employed the “Social Distancing Skunk Ape,” a mascot featured in park videos that would encourage social distancing, as well as randomly greet guests roaming the park.

The skunk ape, in some places, has become sort of an unofficial mascot for Florida and its nature. It highlights one aspect of American cryptids that has persisted to this day: community. Shared stories and beliefs bring people together and become an important part of culture. The lumberjacks of the 19th century Great Lakes were likely different in many ways, but they could all share the experience of telling ridiculous cryptid-sighting stories to each other.