Three Rare Cryptids That Would Make Good Characters
A cryptid is an animal rumored to exist, but unproven: think Bigfoot or Nessie. It’s hard to know what people are actually seeing when they report cryptid sightings. Common explanations are a misidentified real animal or animals (for example, Bigfoot might be a bear on its hind legs, or a sea serpent a pod of dolphins swimming in a line); an out of place animal (the big cat in the woods may have escaped from a private zoo); or an animal that was thought to be extinct, but still exists. Or they might be seeing something completely new.
Cryptids are a favorite subject for writers, but the most popular ones can feel overused. So here are three lesser-known cryptids that might make good characters.
In the same vein (haha), check out some unusual vampires and weird ghosts
The Dobhar-chú
This massive Irish cryptid is said to be a 15-foot-long mix of a dog and an otter or a dog and a fish, and lives in freshwater lakes. Legend has it the Dobhar-chú killed a woman named Grace Connolly on the shores of Glenade Lough in 1722, after which her husband killed the Dobhar-chú and its mate. There is said to be a carving of the Dobhar-chú on Connolly’s weathered headstone.
Quickfoot
Quickfoot, or the Silver Man, is an ape- or bear-like creature first reported by 3 boys in Devon, England, in 1978, who said it had glowing green eyes. And yep, it runs really quick. Here’s a video from a man who saw it dash across the road in Scotland in 1995.
Read about a green-eyed ghost from the US Civil War and get writing prompts!
The Beast of Busco
This Beast is a massive turtle in a lake in Churubusco, Indiana, with a shell the size of a dining table. It was first reported in 1898, and seen again in the same lake in 1948. Despite heavy media interest, no one ever managed to prove the turtle exists, but he’s so beloved he has his own yearly festival.
Thanks for reading! Good luck writing a legend of your own!
Check out more creature feature posts with writing prompts
This article was first published on my writing blog
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