Strange Beasties

The Loch Ness monster, Big Foot, chupacabras, mothmen, the Jersey Devil and Mongolian death worms. These are just a few of the creatures studied by Cryptozoology; the study of hidden animals. Here in Maine we had a somewhat recent brush with cryptozoological fame about a year and a half ago.

In August of 2006, a corpse was found that matched the description residents of the area had been reporting; of a bluish-furred dog-like creature. Many had reported hearing eerie howls and seeing glowing eyes in the weeks preceding the finding of the creature's corpse.

Laboratory testing revealed the creature was a member of the Canis family; probably a hybrid of a domestic dog breed and a coyote; but some people still are not convinced. I asked a few people around here about this, and while most thought it was just folk tale run amok, two firmly believed the government forged the test results and was hiding something. Belief is a powerful thing.

Caption: A photo of the mysterious "dog-like creature" found in Turner, ME in Aug. 2006.

Probably my favorite cryptozoological creature is the "Mongolian Death Worm", called allghoi khorkhoi by local tribes in the desert. Now, here's a creature that didn't skimp on the scary factor. It's described as a blood red worm (in fact the regional name translates to "blood-filled intestine worm) ranging from two to five feet in length. It lives in tunnel-systems deep in the Mongolian desert and can attack physically, by spitting a yellow acid, or by electrocuting at a distance; some have even said the worm may have psychic powers and can kill simply by looking at you.

Although no hard evidence of its existence has ever been found, stories from locals in the area talk of people killed, evidence of "worm tunnels" and other sightings. In the opinion of your skeptical author; who has had more than his share of Anthropology classes, this reaffirms my belief in just how powerful the human imagination can be. How when we truly want to believe in something, when we need some way to explain the randomness and calamity of survival and success we face day-to-day, we can latch onto an idea and build a reality around it. Legend and story are contagious, and a gifted storyteller can paint an image so real...perhaps you start to forget it started as a story.

But to be fair I'll mention the other side of the argument as well. Supporters of cryptozoology point to some of its successes. Creatures like the coelacanth, giant squids, and megamouth sharks were, for a long period of time, considered to be legends or at least extinct, but have since been proven real. I may seem banal; and as if I lack a sense of adventure. Let me assure you, nothing could be further from the truth. I want to find the lost, discover the unknown, and forge ahead where mankind has only dreamed of going, but I know that one of the things you need is a strong sense of logic and reasoning; but maybe an open mind helps sometimes too.

Caption: Don't mess with the Mongolian Death Worm