Examine individual changes

[ 0 => '{{Short description|Tall tale animals from North American folklore}}', 1 => '{{more citations needed|date=September 2016}}', 2 => '[[Image:Hugag.PNG|right|thumb|upright=1.25|The [[hugag]], a typical ''fearsome critter''. Illustration by Coert DuBois from ''[[Fearsome Creatures of the Lumberwoods]]'' by William T. Cox.]]', 3 => '', 4 => 'In North American [[folklore]], '''fearsome critters''' were [[tall tale]] animals jokingly said to inhabit the wilderness in or around [[logging camp]]s,<ref name="dorson">Dorson, Richard M. ''Man and Beast in American Comic Legend.'' (Bloomington, IN: Indiana Univ. Press, 1982.)</ref><ref name="leach">Leach, Maria. ''Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary Of Folklore, Mythology and Legend.'' (New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1949.)</ref><ref name="south">South, Malcolm. ''Mythical and Fabulous Creatures: A Source Book and Research Guide.'' (Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, 1984.)</ref> especially in the [[Great Lakes]] region. Today, the term may also be applied to similar [[legendary creatures|fabulous beasts]].', 5 => '', 6 => '== Origins ==', 7 => 'Fearsome critters were an integral part of [[oral tradition]] in North American [[logging camp]]s during the turn of the twentieth century,<ref name="dorson" /> principally as a means to pass time (such as in [[tall tale]]s)<ref name="cox">Cox, William T. with Latin Classifications by George B. Sudworth. ''Fearsome Creatures of the Lumberwoods.'' Washington, D.C.: Judd & Detweiler Inc., 1910</ref> or as a jest for [[hazing]] newcomers.<ref name="tryon">Tryon, Henry Harrington. ''Fearsome Critters.'' (Cornwall, NY: Idlewild Press, 1939)</ref> In a typical fearsome critter gag, a person would casually remark about a strange noise or sight they encountered in the wild, and another accomplice would join in with a similar anecdote. Meanwhile, an eavesdropper would begin to investigate, as Henry H. Tryon recorded in his book, ''Fearsome Critters'' (1939) —', 8 => '', 9 => '{{blockquote|Sam would lead with a colorful bit of description, and Walter would follow suit with an arresting spot of personal experience, every detail being set forth with the utmost solemnity, and with exactly the correct degree of emphasis. At the end, so deftly had the cards been played that the listener was completely convinced of the animal's existence. This method of presentation is widely used. For the best results, two narrators who can "keep the ball in the air" are necessary, and perhaps an occasional general question is tossed to someone in the audience, such inquiries being invariably accorded a grave, corroborative nod.<ref name="tryon" />}}', 10 => '', 11 => 'Lumberjacks, who regularly traveled between camps, would stop to swap stories, which eventually disseminated these myths across the continent.<ref name="cox" /> Many fearsome critters were simply the products of pure exaggeration; however, a number were used either jokingly or seriously as explanations for both unexplained and natural phenomena. For example, the [[hidebehind]] served to account for loggers who failed to return to camp,<ref name="brown">Brown, C.E. ''Paul Bunyan Natural History.'' (Madison: self-published, 1935.)</ref><ref name="cohen">Cohen, Daniel. ''Monsters, Giants, and Little Men from Mars: An Unnatural History of the Americas.'' (New York: Doubleday, 1975)</ref> while the treesqueak offered justification for strange noises heard in the woods.<ref name="tryon" /> A handful whether intentionally or unknowing mirrored descriptions of actual animals. The [[Mangrove rivulus|mangrove killifish]], which takes up shelter in decaying branches after leaving the water,<ref name="derbyshire">Bester, Cathleen. (5 May 2017). "Mangrove Rivulus." Retrieved March 07, 2020, from ''Florida Museum''. Web site: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/rivulus-marmoratus/</ref> exhibits similarities to the upland trout, a legendary fish purported to nest in trees.<ref name="wyman">Wyman, Walker D. ''Mythical Creatures of the USA and Canada.'' (River Falls, WI: Univ of Wisconsin Riverfalls Press,1978.)</ref> In addition, the story of the fillyloo, about a mythical crane that flies upside-down, may have been inspired by observations of the [[wood stork]], a bird that has been witnessed briefly flying in this manner.<ref name="randolph">Randolph, Vance. ''We Always Lie to Strangers: Tall Tales from the Ozarks.'' (New York: Columbia University Press, 1951.)</ref> In particular instances more elaborate ruses were created using [[taxidermy]]<ref name="wisconsinosity">Wisconsinosity. (2010). "Barron County: The Friendly Buckhorn Bar." Retrieved March 09, 2011, from ''Wisconsinosity.com''. Web site: http://www.wisconsinosity.com/Barron/barron.htm</ref> or [[Special effect#Early development|trick photography]].<ref name="whs">Wisconsin Historical Society. (2011). "Larger Than Life: Tall-Tale Postcards." Retrieved March 09, 2011, from ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Web site: http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/whi/feature/talltales/</ref>', 12 => '', 13 => '== Attributes ==', 14 => '[[File:Fearsome_critters_minis_fearsome_wilderness.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Game miniatures depicting various fearsome critters (from the board game ''Fearsome Wilderness'')]]', 15 => 'The character of the fearsome critters themselves was usually more comical than frightful.<ref name="dorson" /> Often the greater emphasis is placed on behavioral traits with little or no detail mentioned on their appearance, as in the cases of the [[hidebehind]], [[teakettler]],<ref name="borges">Borges, Jorge Luis; Guerrero, Margarita. ''Book of Imaginary Beings.'' (New York: Dutton, 1969.)</ref> squidgicum-squee,<ref name="schwartz">Schwartz, Alvin. ''Kickle Snifters and Other Fearsome Critters.'' (Binghamton, NY: Harpercollins Juvenile Books, 1978.)</ref> and hangdown.<ref name="brown" /> Some fearsome critters like flittericks or the [[Goofus bird|goofus]]<ref name="cohen" /> appeared to be ordinary animals that just behaved out of the ordinary. The more physically emphasized and improbable creatures seem to be distinguished by how far the storyteller could push the boundaries of [[biomechanics]]. Both the tripodero<ref name="brown" /> and snoligoster<ref name="cox" /> demonstrate facets more in common with mechanical apparatuses than animals, and the [[hugag]] and [[sidehill gouger]]<ref name="tryon" /> seem to be more a play on [[applied physics]] than fanciful inspiration. While much of the literature that has been written on the subject echoes a naturalist's perspective, commonly specifying a range of distribution, behavioral habits, and physical appearance,<ref name="cox" /><ref name="tryon" /><ref name="wyman" /> many of these myths were never as widespread as others. Consequently, it is common to find a lack of consensus on a specific fearsome critter, if not clear contradictions. To illustrate, the [[wampus cat]] differs widely in appearance depending on region. For instance, in Henry H. Tryon's ''Fearsome Critters'', the wampus cat is described as having [[pantograph]]ic forelimbs<ref name="tryon" /> while in Vance Randolph's ''We Always Lie to Strangers,'' it is portrayed a supernatural, aquatic panther.<ref name="randolph" />', 16 => '', 17 => 'The tendency to description of behavior without image is used to eerie literary effect by [[Manly Wade Wellman]] in employing a number of fearsome critters in his 1952 science fiction folk tale "The Desrick on Yandro," as well as commenting specifically on the lack of physical description for one of the beasts: "The Behinder flung itself on his shoulders. Then I knew why nobody's supposed to see one. I wish I hadn't. To this day I can see it, as plain as a fence at noon, and forever I will be able to see it. But talking about it's another matter. Thank you, I won't try."', 18 => '', 19 => '== Firsthand accounts ==', 20 => 'In his 1939 book, ''Fearsome Critters,'' Henry H. Tryon recounted that "... much true folk-lore was born, lived and died with no chance of ever becoming a part of our permanent records. Without doubt this has happened to a good bit of woods lore." Consequently, firsthand records on fearsome critters are few in number. However, among some of the more significant sources to record fearsome critter stories directly from loggers, hunters and other forest tradesmen, listed chronologically, are:', 21 => '', 22 => '* ''[[Fearsome Creatures of the Lumberwoods, With a Few Desert and Mountain Beasts]],'' by William T. Cox (Washington, D.C.: Judd & Detweiler Inc., 1910)', 23 => '* ''Fearsome Critters,'' by Henry H. Tryon (Cornwall, NY: Idlewild Press, 1939)', 24 => '* ''The Hodag and Other Tales of the Logging Camps,'' by Lakeshore Kearney (Madison, WI: Democrat Printing Company, 1928)', 25 => '* ''Paul Bunyan Natural History,'' by Charles E. Brown (Madison, WI: self-published, 1935)', 26 => '* ''We Always Lie to Strangers,'' by Vance Randolph (New York: Columbia University Press, 1951)', 27 => '* ''Mythical Creatures of the USA and Canada,'' by Walker D. Wyman (River Falls, WI: Univ of Wisconsin Riverfalls Press, 1978)', 28 => '', 29 => 'Additionally, in 1922 and 1925, veteran guide Art Childs published an illustrated newspaper column entitled, ''Yarns of the Big Woods'' that featured fearsome critters from oral traditions. Additionally, many of the aforementioned texts has since been made freely available online, yet others are still under copyright.', 30 => '', 31 => '==List==', 32 => '[[File:Agropelter.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Agropelter]]]]', 33 => '[[File:Jackalope.JPG|alt=Jackalope|thumb|upright|Jackalope]]', 34 => '', 35 => '===Beasts===', 36 => '* [[Agropelter]], a beast that amuses itself by hurling twigs and tree branches at passersby.<ref name="cox" /><ref name="tryon" />', 37 => '* [[Axehandle hound]], a beast that reputedly subsists on axe-handles left unattended,<ref name="tryon" /> mentioned in [[Jorge Luis Borges]]' ''[[Book of Imaginary Beings]]''.<ref name="borges" />', 38 => '* [[Ball-tailed cat]], a feline similar to a [[Cougar|mountain lion]], except with a long tail with a bulbous end used for striking its prey.<ref name="tryon" />', 39 => '* [[Bigfoot]] is an alleged [[ape]]/[[human]]-like hybrid creature of North American folklore.', 40 => '* [[Cactus cat]], a [[Felinae|feline]] of the [[American Southwest]] with hair-like thorns that intoxicates itself by the consumption of cactus water.<ref name="cox" />', 41 => '* [[Dungavenhooter]], a [[crocodile]] creature with no mouth and huge nostrils. The creature uses its tail to pound loggers into a gaseous vapor, which it then inhales for sustenance.<ref name="tryon" />', 42 => '* [[Glawackus]], an animal resembling a mixture of a [[lion]], [[boar]], or [[bear]].<ref name="cohen" />', 43 => '* [[Gumberoo]], a rare, hairless [[bear]]-like creature with nearly invulnerable skin. The animal's hide repels anything fired at it. Fire causes the gumberoo to combust in a massive explosion.<ref name="cox" /><ref name="tryon" />', 44 => '* [[Hidebehind]], an animal that seizes loggers and devours them. The animal was said to be so swift that it could hide behind the nearest tree before being seen.<ref name="tryon" />', 45 => '* [[Hodag]], a creature of the Wisconsin swamps possessing horns and spines.<ref name="borges" /><ref name=kearney>{{cite book |last=Kearney |first=Luke Sylvester |year=1928 |title=The Hodag and Other Tales of the Logging Camps |pages=9–17 |location=Madison, WI}}</ref><ref name="tryon" />', 46 => '* [[Hugag]], an animal similar to a [[moose]], with stiff, jointless legs, and a large upper lip preventing it from grazing or lying down.<ref name="cox" /><ref name="tryon" />', 47 => '* [[Jackalope]], a [[jackrabbit]] with the antlers of an antelope or deer.<ref name="wyman" />', 48 => '* [[Jersey Devil]], a predatory creature that inhabits the pine forests of Southern [[New Jersey]].<ref name="cohen" /> The creature is often described as winged and bipedal, and sometimes connected to [[witchcraft]] and [[Theistic Satanism|devil worship]].', 49 => '* [[Sidehill gouger]], an animal legged for hillsides having legs on one side taller than the other, thus always having to travel on hillsides.<ref name="wyman" /><ref name="tryon" />', 50 => '[[File:Fur bearing trout. Very rare. (3793949065).jpg|thumb|Fur-bearing trout]]', 51 => '[[File:Hoop snake.jpg|thumb|upright|Hoop snake]]', 52 => '* [[Splintercat]], a legendary [[cat]] of the [[Pacific Northwest]] that uses its incredible speed and stiff forehead to smash into large trees, knocking the branches off and withering the trunks.<ref name="cox" /><ref name="tryon" />', 53 => '* [[Squonk]], an animal which, saddened by its deformed countenance, cries incessantly and even dissolves into tears if seen.<ref name="cox" />', 54 => '* [[Teakettler]], a small variety of vermin that makes a noise like a teakettle.<ref name="borges" />', 55 => '* [[Wampus cat]], a large phantom [[Panthera|panther]] that varies widely in appearance.<ref name="randolph" />', 56 => '* [[Whirling Whimpus]], a [[gorilla]]-like monster with large arms and [[horse]]-like hooves, with the ability to spin around into a small tornado to catch prey,<ref name="cox" /><ref name="tryon" /> similar to [[Tasmanian Devil (Looney Tunes)|Taz]] of [[Looney Tunes]] fame.', 57 => '', 58 => '===Birds===', 59 => '* [[Belled buzzard]], a vulture with a bell affixed to it. The ringing of which is cited as an omen of disaster.', 60 => '* [[Gillygaloo| Gillygaloo bird]], a [[bird]] that lays square eggs, so they do not roll.<ref name="borges" />', 61 => '* [[Goofus bird]], a backwards-flying [[bird]] that builds its nest upside down.<ref name="borges" />', 62 => '', 63 => '===Fish===', 64 => '* [[Fur-bearing trout]], a species of [[trout]] that grows a thick fur coat for warmth in cold climates.<ref name="fff">Fellowship of Fur-Bearing Fish. (2011). "Myth or Marvel?: The Fur-Bearing Trout." Retrieved March 09, 2011, from ''Furbearingtrout.com''. Web site: http://www.furbearingtrout.com</ref>', 65 => '', 66 => '===Serpents===', 67 => '* [[Hoop snake]], a [[snake]] that bites its tail to enable it to roll like a wheel.<ref name="randolph" />', 68 => '* [[Joint snake]], a [[snake]] that can reassemble itself after being cut to pieces or break apart when hit with something.<ref name="randolph" /><ref name="wyman" />', 69 => '* [[Snallygaster]], a [[bird]]/[[reptile]]-like hybrid beast said to inhabit the hills surrounding Washington and Frederick Counties of [[Maryland]]', 70 => '* [[Snow snake (folklore)|Snow snake]], a [[snake]] that is active only during winter months.<ref name="tryon" />', 71 => '', 72 => '==See also==', 73 => '* [[List of legendary creatures]]', 74 => '* [[Paul Bunyan]]', 75 => '* [[William T. Cox]]', 76 => '* [[Drop bear]]', 77 => '* [[Snipe hunt]]', 78 => '', 79 => '==References==', 80 => '{{Reflist|25em}}', 81 => '', 82 => '==Sources==', 83 => '* {{cite book |author=Boatright, Mody C. |title=Tall Tales from Texas Cow Camps |place=Dallas, Texas |publisher=The Southwest Press |year=1934}}', 84 => '* {{cite book |editor=Botkin, B.A. |title=A Treasury of American Folklore |place=New York, NY|publisher=Crown Publishers |year=1955}}', 85 => '* {{cite book |title=The American People: Stories, Legends, Tales, Traditions, and Songs |place=New Jersey |publisher=Transaction Publishers |year=1977}}', 86 => '* {{cite book |editor1=Davidson, Levette Jay |editor2=Blake, Forrester |title=Rocky Mountain Tales |place=Tulsa, Oklahoma |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press |year=1947}}', 87 => '* {{cite book |editor=Leach, Maria |title=Funk & Wagnall's Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend |place=New York, NY |publisher=Harper & Row |year=1972}}', 88 => '* {{cite book |author=MacDougall, Curtis D. |title=Hoaxes |place=New York, NY |publisher=Dover Publications, Inc. |year=1958}}', 89 => '* {{cite book |author=Cohen, Daniel |title=Monsters, Giants, and Little Men from Mars: An Unnatural History of the Americas |place=New York, NY |publisher=Doubleday |year=1975}}', 90 => '', 91 => '==External links==', 92 => '*[http://www.fearsomecritters.org/ ''Fearsome Critter Database'']', 93 => '', 94 => '{{American tall tales}}', 95 => '', 96 => '[[Category:Fearsome critters| ]]', 97 => '[[Category:Practical jokes]]' ]