Creatures Unknown

In this episode of Creatures Unknown, we venture into the icy waters of the Arctic to uncover tales of mysterious sea serpents and frozen monsters. With reports of enormous, serpent-like creatures, bizarre marine mammals, and shadowy figures lurking beneath the waves, these legends have fascinated and frightened for centuries. We explore eyewitness accounts, scientific theories, and the enduring allure of these elusive predators of the cold, open sea. So grab your parka and dive in with us as we unravel the frosty mysteries of the deep—if you dare.

Sources

Bernard Heuvelmans | Encyclopaedia of Cryptozoology

Super-otter | Encyclopaedia of Cryptozoology

List of sea serpent sightings in the Arctic Ocean | Encyclopaedia of Cryptozoology | Fandom

Hook Island Sea Monster | Cryptid Wiki

Organism 46-B | Cryptid Wiki

Seljordsormen | Cryptid Wiki

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/

In this episode of Creatures Unknown, we explore the Yeti, also known as the Abominable Snowman, a legendary figure from Himalayan folklore and Tibetan Buddhism. Revered as a spiritual guardian and feared as an omen, the Yeti is described as a towering, bipedal creature with powerful arms and sharp teeth. We trace its origins, sightings, and cultural significance, from early footprints and firsthand accounts to its possible connections to extinct species or misidentified animals. Join us as we unravel the mystery of this enduring cryptid and its place in legend and popular culture.

Sources

Yeti - Wikipedia

Yeti | Cryptid Wiki

The Yeti, aka Abominable Snowman: A Classic Cryptid | HowStuffWorks

Akhlut | Cryptid Wiki

Ningen (folklore) - Wikipedia

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/

What kind of beast crashes through the forest, towering like a tree, hairless and monstrous, with legs so rigid it can’t even kneel? On this episode of Creatures Unknown, we explore the chilling legend of the Stiff-Legged Bear—a man-eating giant said to haunt the forests of North America, spanning Native American folklore across tribes like the Cree, Penobscot, Shawnee, and Iroquois.

We’ll examine its terrifying descriptions, from its immense head and razor-sharp teeth to its invulnerability to human attacks—except for one strange weakness. Then, we’ll trace historical sightings that blur the lines between myth and reality and discuss whether this cryptid could be a misremembered mammoth, an ancient bear, or a cautionary tale woven to keep children out of the woods.

Join us as we unravel the mystery behind an enigmatic legend.

Sources

Stiff-Legged Bear Monsters of Native American Legends

Native American Legends: Katshituashku, the Stiff-Jointed Bear

Great Naked Bear (Nyah-Gwaheh), the monster bear of the Iroquois

Stiff-Legged Bear | It's Something Wiki

Ten Native American Legendary Creatures You Need to Know - World History Encyclopedia.

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/

What prowls the Appalachian Mountains with glowing yellow eyes, piercing screams, and the stealth of a predator? This week on Creatures Unknown, we dive into the legend of the Wampus Cat—a cryptid shrouded in mystery and steeped in Cherokee folklore.

We’ll explore its chilling physical descriptions, from its feline grace to its rumored six legs and supernatural abilities. Discover the Cherokee stories of Running Deer alongside eerie sightings from Texas to Tennessee that have left witnesses rattled for over a century.

From folklore to Fearsome Critters, and even its place in modern pop culture, this episode unravels the fascinating—and terrifying—legacy of the Wampus Cat. Tune in, and beware of what watches from the woods.SourcesThe Wampus Cat Myth Explained: Origins and Sightings | HowStuffWorks

Wampus Cat | Cryptid Wiki | Fandom

The story of the Wampus Cat - Appalachian History  

Wampus cat - Wikipedia

The Child-Eating Wampus Cat Prowling the American South  

Native American Cherokee Booger Mask | Ulster Museum 

Ball-Tailed Cat | Cryptid Wiki 

Sliver Cat | Cryptid Wiki 

Dingmaul | Cryptid Wiki 

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/

This week on Creatures Unknown, we explore the eerie legend of the Pope Lick Monster, Kentucky's infamous Goatman. Residing beneath a treacherous railroad trestle, this half-human, half-goat cryptid is said to use mimicry and even sheer terror to lure victims into fatal encounters with oncoming trains. We delve into its sinister origins, from circus sideshow horrors to twisted tales of satanic rituals, and unravel the grim reality of how this lore has claimed lives over the years. The story doesn’t stop there—we also discuss similar Goatman legends across America, their cultural impact, and how these chilling tales continue to evolve.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes discussions of death, murder, and suicide, both in folklore and real events.

Sources

Pope Lick Monster | Cryptid Wiki | Fandom

Pope Lick Monster - Wikipedia

Old Alton Bridge - Wikipedia

Lake Worth Monster - Wikipedia

https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Goatman

Ron Schildknecht - About

Goatman Festival Louisville

Maryland Goatman | Cryptid Wiki

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/

In this episode, we dive into the wild world of the Hodag, a mythical creature with bull horns, a spiked back, and a mischievous grin straight out of American folklore. Born from the ashes of oxen, this elusive creature became a legend thanks to Wisconsin timberman Eugene Shepherd, who “captured” a Hodag with a mix of dark humor and theatrical flair. From 19th-century hoax to small-town mascot, discover how the Hodag left an indelible mark on Rhinelander, sparking tourism, festivals, and even a Hodag calling contest. Join us as we unravel the fierce, funny, and fearsome tale of Wisconsin's beloved beast!

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hodag

Milwaukee Journal Sentinal - Mascot, myth or real monster? What is a hodag and what's the Wisconsin history behind it? 

HODAG COUNTRY FESTIVAL

Hodag Heritage Festival - Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce

Meet the Hodag - Rhinelander, Wisconsin

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 24 of Creatures Unknown brings you the final installment of our Halloween month special episodes! The best way we know to wrap up spooky season is to swap spooky stories! Join us and listen to real and fictional eerie stories we’ve pulled from Reddit. Share your scary tales with us in the comments or on Instagram @creaturesunknownpodcast!

Sources

Distorted Warning Signals : r/nosleep

Ickbarr Bigelsteine : r/scarystories

Mr. Widemouth : r/creepypasta

Any good ghost stories from New York City? : r/Paranormal - comment from u/SidAndFinancy 

What are your real-life ghost stories you like to tell on dark and stormy nights? : r/AskReddit - comment from u/Majora420

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/

Prepare for goosebumps as we dive into two spine-chilling topics that unnerve even your fearless hosts! In this eerie episode, we explore the uncanny valley—why human-like robots and CGI characters can feel so disturbingly off—and the unsettling folklore of Appalachia. From the unnatural movement of nearly human androids to the ghostly legends of the Appalachian mountains, these tales will send shivers down your spine. Tune in for an episode packed with spooky vibes, scary stories, and the unsettling sense of the eerie and uncomfortable.

Trigger warning: themes of discomfort, fear, and revulsion which includes discussions of mortality, disease, bodily control, and disturbing imagery.

Sources

Uncanny valley - Wikipedia

Uncanny Valley: What is it and why do we experience it? - BBC Science Focus Magazine

A Psychologist Explains The Eerie ‘Uncanny Valley’ Phenomenon   

The Uncanny Valley And Its Role In Sci-Fi Horror 

Uncanny - Wikipedia 

Like Humans, Monkeys Fall Into The 'Uncanny Valley' | ScienceDaily 

Appalachia - Wikipedia

Reddit - r/Ruleshorror

Appalachian Legends by Kim Dinan 

Appalachian Legends | Mothman, Bell Witch, Brown Mountain Lights

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/

In this chilling episode of Creatures Unknown, we sink our teeth into the world of vampires! From ancient demon lore to Vlad Dracula's brutal reign, we uncover the origins of vampire myths across history. Explore how Enlightenment-era Europe became gripped by fear of the undead and how Bram Stoker's *Dracula* solidified Romania as the home of these bloodthirsty creatures. We dive deep into the folklore, science, and superstition behind vampires, tracing their evolution from demonic flesh-eaters to the cinematic icons we know today. Don’t miss this deep dive into one of history’s most enduring monsters!

Sources

Mythical Beasts “Curse of the Vampire” (Show on Discovery+)

Vampire - Wikipedia

Vlad the Impaler - Wikipedia

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Booseum: Vampires!.

Dracula - Wikipedia

Nosferatu - Wikipedia

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/

In this eerie episode of Creatures Unknown, we dive into the spine-chilling world of internet folklore—Creepypasta. From the faceless menace of Slenderman to the bone-chilling Rake, and the endless halls of the Backrooms, these modern-day scary tales have taken on lives of their own. We also explore the unsettling tales of Ted the Caver, the Russian Sleep Experiment, and more. Discover how these stories, once shared anonymously across forums, blurred the lines between fiction and reality, and how they continue to haunt the internet. Prepare for a deep dive into the digital darkness!

Trigger Warning: Some conversations of murder and suicide.

Sources

Creepypasta - Wikipedia

Slender Man - Wikipedia

Siren Head | Creepypasta Files Wikia

Ted the Caver - Creepypasta

Ted the Caver - Wikipedia

The Rake | Creepypasta Files Wikia | Fandom

The Rake - Creepypasta

The Backrooms - Wikipedia

Russian Sleep Experiment - Wikipedia

The Russian Sleep Experiment - Creepypasta

SCP Series

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/