When you think of the top 10 cryptids, big names like Bigfoot or the Yeti probably spring to mind. Yet the world of mysterious creatures is far richer than the usual television specials. Below, we dive into ten lesser‑known beasts that have haunted locals, baffled investigators, and inspired countless legend‑tripping adventures.

What Makes These Top 10 Cryptids So Fascinating?

10 The Big Muddy Monster

The inaugural sighting of the Big Muddy Monster dates back to June 25, 1973, when a couple parked beside Riverside Park’s boat dock in Murphysboro, Illinois, heard a blood‑curdling scream. A towering, off‑white creature—its fur slick with river mud—emerged from the woods and lunged toward the driver’s side of their car. Standing roughly seven feet tall and walking on two legs, the beast’s face remained concealed, leaving the witnesses terrified yet determined enough to file a police report, marital status notwithstanding.

Later that year, additional reports poured in. Mrs. Nedra Green claimed she heard the monster’s night‑time wails echoing around her farm, while four‑year‑old Christian Baril ran inside, breathless, insisting a “big ghost” was outside. The local police chief took the accounts seriously, even deploying tracking dogs to sniff out the elusive entity.

9 The Goatman

Prince George’s County, Maryland, is home to the infamous Goatman, a creature whose origin stories range from a vengeful goat herder whose herd was slain by teenagers, to a Bigfoot‑like beast with a goat’s visage, to a lab accident gone wrong. According to the most outlandish tale, a scientist at the U.S. Department of Agricultural Research Center attempted to splice goat DNA with that of a research assistant named William Lottsford, resulting in a mutant seeking retribution.

The Goatman is reputed to chase motorists, decapitate dogs, and terrorize couples who park on the dreaded Fletchtown Road. Those who venture onto the road hoping for a glimpse often disappear, never to return.

8 The Fresno Nightcrawlers

The first documented footage of the Fresno Nightcrawlers surfaced in 2007 when a homeowner in Fresno, California, reviewed his security camera and spotted a pair of long‑legged, armless silhouettes gliding across his yard. Their heads were tiny, eyes bright, and the movement uncanny. Similar clips have later emerged from Yosemite National Park, adding to the mystery.

Native legends from the Fresno region describe beings with elongated limbs that inhabit swampy realms, their long legs a perfect adaptation for navigating boggy terrain. Some oral histories suggest the Nightcrawlers have long existed to help humanity reconnect with nature, appearing now as a reminder of the wild.

7 The Pope Lick Monster

Under the Norfolk Southern Railway trestle spanning Pope Lick Creek in Kentucky lurks the Pope Lick Monster—a hybrid of man and goat or sheep. Witnesses describe a torso of a goat attached to a human upper body, complete with short horns protruding from its forehead. Legends claim the creature uses hypnosis or a siren‑like voice to lure unsuspecting explorers onto the tracks, where passing locomotives then claim their lives. Others say it drops directly onto passing trains from the trestle.

Whether a cautionary tale to keep children away from a hazardous bridge or a genuine cryptid, the monster’s legend has a grim track record. Several deaths have occurred when thrill‑seekers scaled the eight‑foot fence to investigate, only to be struck by trains or fall from the trestle.

6 The Slide‑Rock Bolter

Colorado’s rugged peaks hide a gargantuan beast known as the Slide‑Rock Bolter. Roughly the size of a blue whale, this monster boasts a mouth bristling with razor‑sharp teeth, tiny eyes, and a massive back fin equipped with a hook‑like structure that clings to sheer slopes. Its secret weapon is a slippery secretion from its mouth, allowing it to slide down mountains, snatch prey—including humans—and then propel itself up another steep face for the next hunt.

Lumberjacks first reported sightings in the 1800s, noting flattened vegetation and massive gouges in rock. Though occasional evidence of its passage appears in the 20th and 21st centuries, direct encounters have dwindled, likely because the creature’s colossal size makes escape nearly impossible for any witness.

5 Altamaha‑ha

In Georgia’s Altamaha River near Darien, the Altamaha‑ha has been whispered about since before European settlement. The Lower Muskogee Creek tribe first chronicled a monster resembling a massive sturgeon, crowned with a bony ridge, equipped with front flippers, and a crocodile‑like snout bristling with large teeth. Eyewitnesses claim the creature can reach 20‑30 feet in length, though smaller specimens have also been reported.

The earliest non‑indigenous account surfaced on April 18, 1830, when a Savannah newspaper detailed a schooner crew’s sighting of a sea monster. More recently, in early 2018, a carcass found on Wolf Island’s shoreline resembled a smaller Altamaha‑ha. Video captured by Jeff Warren’s son sparked debate—some labeled it a frilled shark, others a hoax—yet its uncanny similarity to historic descriptions fuels ongoing speculation.

4 The Frogman

Loveland, Ohio, has its own amphibious legend: the Frogman. The phenomenon first emerged in the 1950s when a local businessman reported seeing a group of large, bipedal frogs along the Little Miami River. The most famous encounter occurred on March 3, 1972, when Officer Ray Shockey, driving at 1 a.m., thought he saw a dog in a field. When the animal stood, its eyes glowed under his headlights, revealing a giant, upright frog.

Shockey’s partner, Officer Mark Matthews, later witnessed the creature again on March 17, 1972. The Frogman leapt over a guard rail, slid down the embankment, and entered the river, keeping its eyes fixed on the officers. Matthews drew his weapon and fired, missing the beast. The latest sighting came in 2016 when a Pokémon Go player named Sam Jacobs spotted a four‑foot‑tall frog near Lake Isabella, which stood on its hind legs before disappearing.

3 The Pukwudgies

Long before European settlers arrived, the Wampanoag and other Eastern tribes spoke of the Pukwudgies—small, gray‑skinned beings with oversized ears, noses, and fingers. According to legend, they once coexisted peacefully with humans, but after a conflict involving the giant Maushop, the Pukwudgies turned hostile, holding a grudge that persists to this day.

Interpretations of their nature vary across tribes. The Ojibwe and other Great Lakes peoples view them as mischievous tricksters, harmless unless provoked. In contrast, the Abenaki and other Northeastern groups consider them dangerous to those who disrespect them. The Wampanoag of Southern New England see them as capricious—sometimes helpful, other times abducting children or pushing people off cliffs.

2 Lizard Man

The first documented sighting of a Lizard Man occurred in 1988 when 17‑year‑old Christopher Davis suffered a flat tire near Scape Ore Swamp in Lee County, South Carolina. While changing the tire, a seven‑foot, green, three‑fingered creature with glowing red eyes emerged and leapt onto his car, violently attacking it. An earlier 1987 report described a cyclist who, while taking a smoke break near the swamp, glimpsed a similar humanoid figure.

Sightings continued into the 2010s. In 2015, Jim Wilson, driving toward Camden, saw a creature sprint across the Scape Ore bridge, photographed it, and described a tall, scaled being with a short snout and a tail. The Lizard Man has since become a cultural icon in Lee County, inspiring artwork by local artist Robert Howell, a dedicated exhibit at the South Carolina Cotton Museum, and an annual Lizard Man Festival and Comic‑Con.

1 Ozark Howler

Spanning Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Missouri, the Ozark Howler blends Native American saber‑tooth cat mythology with Celtic Cu‑Sith tales. Descriptions fluctuate: some portray it as a massive, cat‑like beast with horns and red, glowing eyes; others see a bear‑sized creature covered in shaggy hair, sporting a goat‑like beard, horns, and a fearsome howl that merges an elk’s bugle with a wolf’s cry.

Accounts of the Howler date back to the early 1800s, with families recalling sightings over generations. While some photographs appear dubious—likely Photoshop creations—reports from 2005‑2010 describe locals spotting an oversized cat in the region. Wildlife experts note the absence of large native cats, suggesting the sightings could involve escaped exotic pets.

When you hear the phrase top 10 cryptids, images of hulking beasts, eerie silhouettes, and whispered campfire tales probably spring to mind. From the mist‑shrouded forests of the Pacific Northwest to the murky depths of Scottish lochs, these legendary creatures have fascinated humanity for centuries. Yet, behind many of these myths lie ordinary animals whose odd appearances or strange behaviors sparked the imagination of early observers. Below, we explore ten famous cryptids and the very real critters that likely gave rise to their fame.

Why These Top 10 Cryptids Capture Our Imagination

Each of the following legends started as a genuine sighting, a misidentified animal, or a disease that altered an animal’s look. Over time, stories grew, photographs were doctored, and folklore turned ordinary wildlife into monsters. By matching each mythic being with its plausible biological counterpart, we can appreciate how the natural world fuels our love of the mysterious.

10 Bears

Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch or Yeti, is perhaps the most iconic of all cryptids—a towering, shaggy primate with massive feet that supposedly roams remote forests. Sightings of this “hairy man” surface year after year, and while many hoaxes have been exposed, the allure of an elusive, intelligent hominid persists in popular culture, especially across North America where it rivals UFO sightings for fame.

Most of the evidence that fuels the Bigfoot craze can be traced back to misidentified bears, especially individuals suffering from mange. When a bear loses its fur or displays patchy, thinning hair, it can appear gaunt and eerily human‑like, leading witnesses to believe they are looking at a giant, bipedal creature. Tracks left in the mud that were once touted as proof often turn out to be bear prints, and several “captured” specimens were actually bears with severe fur loss.

Nevertheless, a handful of enthusiasts still cling to the idea that a surviving population of the extinct giant ape Gigantopithecus could be lurking in the shadows. While this hypothesis adds a tantalizing twist, the bulk of sightings can be explained without invoking any unknown primate.

9 Dog With Mange

The Chupacabra, a name that translates to “goat‑sucker,” has haunted the rural landscapes of Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the broader Mesoamerican region for decades. Legends describe a nocturnal predator that drains livestock of blood, leaving behind baffling, puncture‑filled carcasses. The creature’s eerie reputation has made it a staple of modern folklore and a frequent subject of sensational media.

Most documented encounters, however, boil down to dogs or coyotes suffering from severe mange. This skin disease strips the animal of fur, leaving a gaunt, almost skeletal appearance that can look monstrous in low‑light conditions. The resulting discoloration, combined with heightened night activity caused by skin irritation, creates a perfect recipe for a creature that seems otherworldly to an unsuspecting farmer.

8 Rabbits, Shope Papilloma Virus

The jackalope—a rabbit sporting antlers—has hopped its way into American folklore for over a century. While the notion sounds whimsical, it has roots in real, observable phenomena. People roaming fields occasionally spot hares or rabbits with strange growths that bear a resemblance to tiny horns.

These odd protrusions are caused by the Shope papilloma virus (SPV), a contagious pathogen that induces keratinous tumors on the skin of leporids. Infected animals develop horn‑like growths, usually around the head, that can be mistaken for antlers by a startled observer. The virus, while generally benign, creates a striking visual that fuels the myth of a horned hare.

Because the disease is relatively rare and its symptoms can be dramatic, early naturalists likely seized upon these unusual specimens as evidence of a fantastical hybrid, giving rise to the enduring legend of the jackalope.

7 Giant Squid

The Kraken, a monstrous cephalopod capable of capsizing ships, has haunted sailors’ imaginations since the age of sail. Tales of massive, tentacled beasts pulling vessels beneath the waves were once considered pure fantasy, but modern marine biology has uncovered a very real counterpart.

Colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) and its close relative, the giant squid (Architeuthis dux), can grow to staggering dimensions—up to 14 metres (about 46 feet) in length and weighing as much as 700 kilograms (1,500 pounds). While these giants rarely attack ships, their sheer size and powerful arms match many of the classic Kraken descriptions, explaining why sailors once swore they’d seen sea monsters.

Occasional unverified reports of colossal squid dragging boats or damaging gear keep the legend alive, but the scientific record confirms that such gigantic cephalopods do indeed exist, lending a splash of reality to the myth.

6 Both Real And Impossible

Stories of gargantuan spiders that tower over humans have long populated horror movies and campfire legends. In reality, the planet does host some impressively large arachnids, such as the Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) and various Huntsman species, whose leg spans can reach up to 30 centimetres (about a foot). To many, that size feels truly monstrous.

However, the physics of spider respiration imposes a hard ceiling on how large these creatures can become. Spiders rely on a system of book lungs that exchanges gases through thin membranes, a method that becomes inefficient as body size increases. Even the largest fossilized spiders from the Carboniferous period never exceeded a metre in length, and without a fundamental change in respiratory anatomy, truly colossal spiders remain impossible.

Thus, while we can marvel at the real giants among arachnids, the notion of a spider the size of a housecat or larger belongs squarely in the realm of fantasy.

5 Tartar Sand Boa

The Mongolian death worm, or “olgoi‑khorkhoi,” has haunted the Gobi Desert for generations. Legends describe a massive, blood‑red worm that burrows beneath the sand, capable of delivering lethal electric shocks or spitting corrosive venom at unsuspecting travelers.

Expeditions seeking this fearsome beast have repeatedly encountered a far less terrifying animal: the Tartar sand boa (Eryx miliaris). This sizable, non‑venomous snake resembles a worm in shape and colour, but lacks the supernatural traits attributed to the mythic creature. Its smooth, reddish‑brown scales and subterranean habits likely inspired the exaggerated tales of a deadly desert worm.

4 Owl

The Mothman—a winged, humanoid figure with glowing eyes—has become an iconic American legend, especially after being linked to the tragic 1967 collapse of the Silver Bridge in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Eyewitnesses described a creature that seemed half‑man, half‑moth, appearing as an omen of disaster.

Closer examination points to a more mundane explanation: large barn owls. These nocturnal birds possess striking, reflective eyes that can appear to glow in low light, and their silent flight and sudden appearances can easily be misinterpreted as something supernatural, especially by frightened observers in remote areas.

While the Mothman myth has woven itself into pop culture, the most plausible sightings align closely with ordinary owl encounters, illustrating how a bird’s natural features can fuel extraordinary stories.

3 Sandhill Crane

The Jersey Devil, a winged, bipedal creature said to haunt New Jersey’s Pine Barrens, has been described as a goat‑headed monster with hooves, a long tail, and an ear‑piercing scream. The legend dates back to the 18th century and has persisted for over two hundred years.

Scholars suggest that the creature’s description matches the Sandhill crane (Antigone canadensis), a tall, long‑legged bird with a large, slightly curved beak and a resonant, trumpeting call that can be unsettling at night. Early settlers, unfamiliar with the bird’s habits, may have exaggerated its appearance and vocalizations, birthing the fearsome Jersey Devil myth.

Despite the legend’s endurance, no credible evidence of a supernatural creature has emerged, and the Sandhill crane remains the most logical, real‑world basis for the story.

2 Manatee And Dugong

Mermaids—half‑human, half‑fish beings—have swum through myth and art for centuries, often portrayed as beautiful, enchanting women luring sailors to their doom. Modern media continues to glamorize these sea maidens, but the origins of the legend are far more grounded.

Two marine mammals, the West African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis) and the dugong (Dugong dugon), exhibit a graceful, serpentine swimming style and possess a vaguely humanoid torso that can be mistaken for a mermaid when glimpsed briefly from a distance. Their smooth, hairless bodies and occasional surfacing to breathe create the illusion of a human‑like figure emerging from the water.

While the myth has been amplified by fabricated documentaries and artistic renderings, the real creatures behind the stories are these gentle, herbivorous mammals—fascinating in their own right, but far less mystical than the legends suggest.

1 Eels, Greenland Shark, And Many More

The Loch Ness Monster, affectionately nicknamed “Nessie,” remains arguably the most famous cryptid of all time. Described as a long‑necked, plesiosaur‑like creature inhabiting Scotland’s deepest loch, the monster has inspired countless photographs, expeditions, and a thriving tourism industry.

Scientific analyses point to large eels as the most plausible source of many sightings. Eels can reach impressive lengths, possess sinuous bodies, and surface intermittently, creating the illusion of a necked monster. Additionally, occasional sightings of Greenland sharks—deep‑dwelling, sluggish predators—have been misinterpreted as evidence of a massive, unknown creature.

Combined with optical phenomena such as boat wakes, floating debris, and even misidentified birds, the legend of Nessie appears to be a tapestry of ordinary wildlife, human perception, and a healthy dose of myth‑making.

The top ten ghosts linked to witchcraft have haunted folklore for centuries, weaving together spellcraft, tragedy, and lingering unrest. Among other magical abilities, witches in history have long been thought to consort with the dead. Be it with a Ouija Board at the height of the spiritualism movement or via the old, alleged maleficium, it’s easy to put witches and ghosts in a similar, mystical camp. However, every now and then, supposed witches do a tad bit more than speak to spirits; they sometimes become spirits themselves, or so some people claim.

Top Ten Ghosts Overview

10 Mother Shipton and the Petrifying Well

The tale of Ursula Sontheil, also known as Mother Shipton, begins in 1488 in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, England. Born to a fifteen‑year‑old mother, Agatha Sontheil, out of wedlock, Ursula was raised by her mother alone. The two lived in a cave for two years before Agatha was taken to a nunnery, leaving Ursula to be raised by the local Abbot of Beverly.

Ursula, however, was born to look exactly like one would imagine a stereotypical witch to look: warts, nose, and all. So she made very few friends and would end up spending most of her time in the woods and around the cave, studying plants and old cunning women’s traditions. She would develop a reputation as a successful folk healer prophetess and live to be 73.

Mother Shipton’s cave has also garnered a haunting reputation. A nearby well, known as the Petrifying Well, has an odd tendency to turn most objects left there over three or so months into stone. Despite science tackling that mystery, chalking it up to a high mineral content, many claim to see a shadowy, witch‑like figure prowling around the mouth of the cave, often disappearing as soon as it appears.

9 Barbara Zdunk

Barbara Zdunk holds the intriguing title of “The Last Witch to Be Burned at the Stake in Europe.” However, this would not be her only alleged crime. The city of Reszel in Poland was under attack by a serial arsonist at the beginning of the 19th century, and in 1806, the entire town was burned to the ground. Barbara Zdunk, a maid at the time, was charged with the crime, though most suspect that she was a victim of a slander campaign. Though she was also pinned with practicing magic, witchcraft was not a crime in what was then Prussia, but it was used as evidence nonetheless. Zdunk was executed on August 21 at Szubienica Hill, outside of Reszel.

As such, it is within the Reszel Castle that many claim to see the spirit of Barbara Zdunk. It is in this castle’s dungeons that the alleged witch was first imprisoned and tortured over the course of four years. She was even sexually assaulted and gave birth twice during her imprisonment, though no one knows what became of her children. Some claim to see her wandering spirit haunt the castle’s dungeons and often report blood‑curdling screams when no one (alive) is there to make them. Ghost Hunters International even visited Reszel Castle and was subject to a smattering of poltergeist moments.

8 Marie Laveau

Though not necessarily a witch, Marie Laveau is often referred to as “The Voodoo Queen of New Orleans” for her reputation as a wise priestess in the Voodoo religion and as a pillar of the New Orleans black community. Voodoo stems from West African beliefs that developed prominence in the Caribbean and other areas, including New Orleans. Marie Laveau, born around the turn of the 19th century, had a deep ancestry involving many prominent Voodoo priestesses and learned much about the religion under the tutelage of a Dr. John (Bayou John) from Senegal.

Marie Laveau would live a long, influential life, passing away from old age on June 15, 1881. Laveau is buried at St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 and still receives gifts and spiritual adornments to this day. The cemetery, however, is not the haunted location where Marie Laveau’s spirit is sometimes spotted. Instead, her home, on St. Anne Street, boasts that title, even though the building was torn down and rebuilt in 1903.

Many report seeing the spirit of the Voodoo Queen walking peacefully down St. Anne Street, wearing a white dress and her tingon headdress. She is also said to haunt rooms within the new building, which is used nowadays for a vacation rental. People also claim to hear mysterious chanting and drumming coming from a completely empty street.

7 The Soucouyant

The Soucouyant treads a thin line between “vampire” and “witch,” but this Caribbean spirit is described as an old hag often enough to qualify her for this list. The Soucouyant is a legend prominent in southern Caribbean nations, namely Trinidad and Tobago, and is actually a name for a witch‑like entity, as opposed to a singular witch. According to legend, she is able to strip off her skin at night and transform into a giant fireball, which often visits people’s homes while they’re asleep to suck their blood, supposedly leaving blue‑black marks.

The Soucouyant can be stopped, however. By sprinkling salt or pepper on her discarded skin, it would burn her to death when she returned. One can also place a bowl of rice on their front doorstep, forcing her to count each grain before she can enter.

Despite the Soucouyant appearing to be more of a legend than a cryptid, she has been allegedly sighted recently. However, it is considered quite taboo to talk about them, making reports a tad bit scarce. Nevertheless, people report seeing balls of fire flying like paranormal orbs of light, sometimes with a visible face inside.

6 Hauntings at Proctor’s Ledge

Perhaps the initial incident that took place is far more famous than any hauntings that have lingered into the modern era, but Salem definitely has its fair share of hauntings.

Though it’s hard to actually claim that any victims of the infamous Salem Witch Trials were bonafide, practicing witches, it is safe to say that many institutions have reports of ghosts. And a lot of the alleged spirits seem to be people from around 1692 when the trials started—if the descriptions are anything to go by.

In 1921, historian Sidney Perley discovered the location of “Gallows Hill,” where the executions took place, and found said location to be at the foot of Proctor’s Ledge, a hill in Salem. According to Massachusetts law, it was illegal to bury the executed “witch” in consecrated ground, so most of the victims of the Salem Witch Trials were “buried” near the execution site in a mass grave. Although, some family members may have removed their accused family member under the cover of darkness for burial elsewhere.

To this day, a mysterious Lady in White is often seen wandering Proctor’s Ledge and other Salem locations. However, no one has yet identified her as a specific victim of the famed trials. In addition, faint wailing and moaning are often reported at the location, as well as the ever‑common cold spots and floating orbs that accompany ghostly locations.

5 Agnes Sampson

Agnes Sampson, also known as the Wyse Wyff of Keyth, was a prolific cunning woman from Scotland who tragically suffered her demise at the North Beswick Witch Trial in 1591. The historic Holyroodhouse Palace in Edinburgh was where Sampson was tried and executed, and according to legend, it still serves as her place of residence to this day.

In life, Agnes Sampson was a widow with two children, who made a living helping the people of Scotland with the folk remedies she had learned. Unfortunately, though, a maidservant named Geillis Duncan was convicted of witchcraft and started confessing about other witches she knew, similar to how the Salem Witch Trials panned out. Sampson was regrettably a victim of Duncan’s admission. As a result, Sampson was imprisoned and tortured for a few months before she was garroted and burned on January 28.

To this day, a phantom matching Agnes Sampson’s description has been seen wandering Holyroodhouse Palace, often apparating with her torture wounds fully visible. She is often witnessed either slowly wandering the halls or acting out the final scenes of her life.

4 Janet Douglas

Janet Douglas was another victim of the various witch trials that plagued Scotland, though Douglas would meet her fate more than fifty years before Agnes Sampson, being burned at the stake on July 17, 1537. Also known as Lady Glamis, Douglas is said to be spotted at Glamis Castle to this day, prowling its halls as an ethereal phantasm.

However, in contrast to Sampson, Douglas’s accusations came not from her reputation as a folk witch but from her relation to Sir James Douglas, a lieutenant to Robert the Bruce and an enemy of King James V of Scotland. Out of contempt for the whole Douglas family, Janet Douglas was convicted of treason, poisoning her husband, and witchcraft. It took no time at all for the Lady Glamis and her sixteen‑year‑old son to be imprisoned and tortured, and it is alleged that her son was forced to watch his mother burn to death.

Though she was executed at Edinburgh Castle, Douglas allegedly manifests at her original home of Glamis Castle, where she is also known as the Grey Lady. She is often spotted in garb sporting the color of her new namesake, and she is most commonly sighted at the castle’s chapel.

3 The Aswang

This next legend comes from the Philippines and also blurs the line between witch and vampire, much like the Soucouyant. Although it typically takes the form of a woman by day, the Aswang is a figure in Philippine folklore who has the ability to shapeshift into large dogs, cats, birds, and sometimes werewolves, all so that they can hunt humans at night. The only way to discern if someone is an Aswang is if their eyes reflect their beholders upside‑down or if a special painting crafted by an albularyo, a Filipino folk healer, starts to boil whenever the Aswang draws near.

In order to consume its victims, an Aswang is said to perch on the roof of people’s homes and move its long, prehensile tongue toward small openings in a victim’s home to probe the scene before breaking in, eating them, and replacing the corpse with a mannequin made of wood and plants. To this day, many in the Philippines report seeing an odd cryptid preying on people’s roofs.

2 La Lechuza

This next entry on the list is less canine and a tad bit more avian. La Lechuza’s folkloric roots can be traced back to Mexico, and her name can even be directly translated as “the owl,” for she is often spotted as a giant owl with a woman’s face.

La Lechuza’s origins stem from a nameless woman being convicted of practicing black magic by those in her village, who immediately murdered her. This supposed bruja, or variation on the witch in Mexico, came back as the aforementioned terrifying, seven‑foot‑tall bird lady, allegedly lingering to this day, appearing as an older hag by day and transforming into her bird form at night.

People report witnessing La Lechuza perching in high trees at night, either emulating a baby’s cry to attract potential victims or simply screeching like an owl should anyone approach. She’s also known to swoop after cars, attempting to run them off the road.

1 The Bell Witch

The Bell Witch is by far the most famous and enduring spirit attached to witchcraft, and according to legend, is one of the very few ghosts who—according to the myth—ever managed to kill someone. Her tale begins in rural Tennessee, from 1817 to 1821. The haunting started when a man named John Bell shot at a mysterious creature in his cornfield, which appeared to have the head of a rabbit on the body of a dog.

As time went on, the whole Bell family became host to poltergeist activity, such as odd knocking and sheets being pulled off in the middle of the night. Betsy Bell was a particular victim to the Witch and often woke up being slapped and beaten by an invisible entity. Former U.S. President Andrew Jackson even visited the family, and he and his entourage were beaten and cursed at by the same invisible force.

The haunting of the Bell Witch, however, culminated in John Bell turning significantly ill, and the family discovered an odd vial with a mysterious liquid hidden in the home. When they tested the liquid on the family cat, it died immediately, and to this day, it is suspected that it was the Bell Witch who poisoned John.