Creatures Unknown

Episode 40: Jackalope

Half rabbit, half antelope—and all mischief. This week, we dig into one of America’s most enduring mythological mashups: the jackalope. Beloved hoax? Ancient cryptid? Viral taxidermy? We trace the jackalope’s strange evolution—from drunken Wyoming prank to echoes of medieval horned hares and Mesoamerican myths. With antlers on its head, a taste for whiskey, and the uncanny ability to mimic human speech, the jackalope straddles the line between folklore and Frankenstein taxidermy. Plus: its bizarre mating habits, ancient global cousins like the Wolpertinger and Al-Mi'raj, and the virus that might explain everything. Strap in for antlers, absurdity, and a surprising amount of historical receipts. Sources Fantastically Wrong: The Disturbing Reality That Spawned the Mythical Jackalope | WIRED [https://www.wired.com/2014/05/fantastically-wrong-jackalope/]  The majestic jackalope and how it became a folklore legend | CBC Radio [https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-march-29-2022-1.6400332/the-majestic-jackalope-and-how-it-became-a-folklore-legend-1.6400337] Jackalope | Cryptid Wiki [https://cryptozoologycryptids.fandom.com/wiki/Jackalope] The Story Of The Jackalope, The Legendary Rabbit With Antlers Said To Roam Wyoming [https://allthatsinteresting.com/jackalope] Jackalope - Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackalope]   Wolpertinger - Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolpertinger]  Al-Mi'raj - Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-mi%27raj]  Lepus cornutus - Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lepus_cornutus]  Music attributions Bent and Broken (intro) "Bent and Broken" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Awkward Meeting (outro) "Awkward Meeting" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Episode 39: Wallowa Lake Monster

Beneath the pristine waters of Oregon’s Wallowa Lake, something ancient stirs. This week, we dive into the chilling legend of Wally, the Wallowa Lake Monster—an elusive, hump-backed serpent feared by many. From a tragic love story punished by a furious lake spirit, to 50-foot serpents and monstrous black heads breaking the surface, the sightings span centuries. Plus: could a crustacean the size of a horse be hiding beneath the waves? And what do Arab folklore and crab-zilla hoaxes have to do with it? Legends, love, and lake monsters—tune in now. Sources The Nez Perce Legend of Wallowa Lake [https://oregongenealogy.com/wallowa/reavis/nez_perce_legend_of_wallowa_lake.htm] Wallowa Lake Monster | Cryptid Wiki [https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Wallowa_Lake_Monster] Wallowa Lake Freshwater Crustaceans | Cryptid Wiki [https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Wallowa_Lake_Freshwater_Crustaceans] Cryptid Profile: Big Wally (AKA: The Wallowa Lake Monster) — THE PINE BARRENS INSTITUTE [https://pinebarrensinstitute.com/cryptids/2018/8/18/quick-cryptid-snippet-big-wally-aka-the-wallowa-lake-monster] Music Attributions Bent and Broken (intro) "Bent and Broken" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Awkward Meeting (outro) "Awkward Meeting" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Episode 38: Melon Heads

Small, pale, and disturbingly human—this week on Creatures Unknown, we dive into the twisted legend of the Melon Heads. With bulbous skulls, razor teeth, and a violent streak, these creatures are said to haunt the forests of Michigan, Ohio, and Connecticut. Were they tortured orphans? Inbred cannibals? Or figments of fevered local lore? From secret asylums to shadowy roads like “Dracula Drive,” each region has its own dark twist on the myth. Join us as we unravel the eerie origins—and possible truths—behind one of America's strangest urban legends. Sources Melon Heads | Cryptid Wiki [https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Melon_Heads] Melon heads - Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melon_heads] Revenge of The Melonheads: Urban Legend or Real Life Horror? (PART 1) | Geauga County Maple Leaf [https://www.geaugamapleleaf.com/news/revenge-of-the-melonheads-urban-legend-or-real-life-horror-part-1/] Revenge of The Melonheads: Urban Legend or Real Life Horror? (PART 2) | Geauga County Maple Leaf [https://www.geaugamapleleaf.com/news/revenge-of-the-melonheads-urban-legend-or-real-life-horror-part-2/] Music Attributions Bent and Broken (intro) "Bent and Broken" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Awkward Meeting (outro) "Awkward Meeting" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Episode 37: Hoaxes

Cryptid legends captivate us, but not all are what they seem. This episode of Creatures Unknown uncovers some of history’s strangest and most elaborate hoaxes. From the Ozark Howler, a beast fabricated by a college prankster, to the grotesque Feejee (Fiji) Mermaid, a stitched-together abomination P.T. Barnum turned into a sensation—these hoaxes prove belief and deception go hand in hand. But what makes people believe in the unbelievable? And could some of these legends hold a grain of truth? Tune in to uncover some fun hoaxes! Sources Category: Hoax | Cryptid Wiki [https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Hoax] House of Geekery | Great Cryptozoology Hoaxes [https://houseofgeekery.com/2019/10/18/great-cryptozoology-hoaxes/] Hangar 1 Publishing | Exploring Famous Cryptid Hoaxes That Captivated the World [https://hangar1publishing.com/blogs/cryptids/famous-cryptid-hoaxes?srsltid=AfmBOorXzd6F0n6SysOoFgcaX0Bmx8cgpw4PUZw-F0JOzm1gH6zKqK-j] Fiji mermaid - Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiji_mermaid] Ozark Howler | Cryptid Wiki [https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Ozark_Howler] Not Deer | Cryptid Wiki [https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Not_Deer] Drop Bear | Cryptid Wiki [https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Drop_Bear] Music attributions Bent and Broken (intro) "Bent and Broken" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Awkward Meeting (outro) "Awkward Meeting" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Episode 36: La Llorona

A chilling wail in the night. A ghostly figure by the water’s edge. A legend that spans generations and cultures. In this episode of Creatures Unknown, we explore the terrifying story of La Llorona, the vengeful spirit cursed to wander the earth in search of her drowned children. From her tragic origins in Mexican folklore to eerie encounters reported across the Americas, La Llorona has haunted the dreams of children and adults alike for centuries. Is she a cautionary tale, a restless ghost, or something even more sinister? We’ll dive into regional variations, historical connections to Aztec mythology, and real-life encounters that will send shivers down your spine. Lock your doors, stay away from the riverbanks, and whatever you do—don’t follow the sound of her cries. Music attributions Bent and Broken (intro) "Bent and Broken" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Awkward Meeting (outro) "Awkward Meeting" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/] Sources La Llorona - Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Llorona] La Llorona | Legend, Description, History, & Facts | Britannica [https://www.britannica.com/topic/La-Llorona] La Llorona: An Introduction to the Weeping Woman | Folklife Today [https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2021/10/la-llorona-an-introduction-to-the-weeping-woman/] "La Llorona in juvenile hall," 1968; article published in Western Folklore, July 1968 | Library of Congress [https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2014008ms1903/]