Tripodero

Tripodero

Region of origin: California, United States

Descriptions of the tripodero vary between a bird-like or kangaroo-like animal (and there’s one version that’s like a boar with four spindly legs but it’s called Tripodero ffs) but the universal aspects of the creature are telescoping legs, a long tail used to balance and an extendable blowpipe-like mouth structure. The tripodero will track prey low in the field, moving rapidly through the brush on short legs until it gets in range, then extend itself upward above the bushline and fire packed mud-pellets it stores in its cheeks through its mouth to debilitate its target with stunning accuracy.

Originally posted on Tumblr on January 30, 2016

Snoligoster

Snoligoster

Region of origin: Lake Okeechobee, Florida, United States

Resembling a furry snake or legless ‘gator, the snoligoster uses its propeller-tail to travel torpedo-like through the cyprus swamps it calls home. A man-eater, it catches prey in powerful jaws and tosses them backwards onto its dorsal spike, saving up several for a later meal.

(Just as a side-note, every now and then in researching archaic beasties you run across some archaic thinking, and the original Lumberwoods entry on this guy has some pretty questionable racial politics thrown in. I wanted to do my own write-up without bringing that in, but still wanted to acknowledge and give a heads-up that was out there as part of it.)

Originally posted on Tumblr on January 29, 2016

Squonk

Squonk

Region of origin: Pennsylvania, United States

The squonk is said to be aware of its loose, droopy skin and general unpleasant appearance and as a result is constantly weeping, leaving tears behind almost like a slug trail. It is loosely held together to the point of being able to assume an almost-liquid form, literally crying itself into a puddle, which can facilitate in escaping capture.

Originally posted on Tumblr on January 28, 2016

Terrashot

Terrashot

Region of origin: Funeral Mountains, California, United States

An ungainly beast with a casket-shaped body, a long, flat shell along its back and wobbly legs seemingly unsuited to carry their bulk. They migrate from their meadow homes on the California/Nevada border down into the deserts of Death Valley in single-file processions but as they cross the expanse the exposure to intense sun causes their insides to overheat and expand against the shell, eventually resulting in explosions that leave grave-like holes scattered across the landscape.

Originally posted on Tumblr on January 27, 2016

Rumtifusel

Rumtifusel

Region of origin: United States

The rumtifusel is a strong but slow creature, instead relying on adapted camouflage and the greed of its prey to feed. It will lay itself on a stump or on the side of a road, appearing for all intents and purposes as a discarded mink coat. When a passerby comes to inspect, it will engulf and consume them, dissolving them down to bones in minutes.

Originally posted on Tumblr on January 26, 2016

The Whintosser

The Whintosser

Region of origin: San Francisco, California, United States

The whintosser was a ferocious beast renowned for its stability and ability to survive. Their prism-shaped bodies, multiple sets of legs and swiveling heads makes sure it’s always upright in any conditions (it is alleged the creature appeared in the spring of 1906, coinciding with the Great San Francisco Earthquake). No amount of beating, shooting or other traditional hunting methods seem to fell the beast, only increasing its fury. The only known way to kill one was forcing it into an active flume pipe, with all three sets of feet touching a hot surface and would tear itself apart trying to escape.

Originally posted on Tumblr on January 25, 2016

Wapaloosie

Wapaloosie

Region of origin: Idaho, United States

Eating exclusively a type of fungus that grows at the tops of tall trees, the wapaloosie has adapted to climbing the sheer ascent; inchworm-like bodies, zygodactyl feet like a woodpecker and a spike on the end of their tails to anchor themselves. Clothing made from its fur retains its desire to climb upwards, regardless of the wearer’s intentions.

Originally posted on Tumblr on January 24, 2016