American Cryptids

The United States of Cryptids: A Tour of American Myths and Monsters 

by J.W. Ocker.

Cryptids are the mysterious creatures that populate legends and folklore—animals that many people claim to have seen and even photographed, yet science has not verified their existence. They exist mostly in the realm of myth and mystery, blending eyewitness accounts with cultural storytelling.

In The United States of Cryptids, author J.W. Ocker takes readers on a fascinating cross-country tour of American monster lore. The book covers a wide gamut of creatures: aquatic lake monsters, reptilian humanoids, massive megafauna, canine beasts, Bigfoot variants, spaceship-shaped oddities, and glowing lights in the sky. They come in all shapes and sizes, from towering ape-like figures to tiny hidden builders.

Ocker organizes the book geographically, dividing the country into regions for an easy-to-follow journey. It begins in the Northeast, moves to the South, then the Midwest, and finally the West, before wrapping up with an epilogue that reflects on how communities embrace (and profit from) their local legends.

Here are a few standout creatures from each region:

•  In the Northeast, one of North America’s most famous lake monsters is Champ (or Champy), said to inhabit the deep waters of Lake Champlain—a 125-mile-long freshwater lake stretching across New York, Vermont, and into Quebec, Canada. Often compared to Scotland’s Loch Ness Monster (Nessie), Champ is described as a long-necked, serpentine creature with humps along its back. Sightings date back centuries, including a famous 1977 photograph, and the legend has become a beloved regional icon with statues, festivals, and even protective “laws” in some areas.

•  In the South, the swamps and marshes hide several eerie beings. The Skunk Ape (sometimes called Florida’s Bigfoot) is a hairy, bipedal creature standing about 6–8 feet tall—slightly shorter and lighter than classic Pacific Northwest Bigfoot. It roams the remote Everglades and other wetlands, earning its name from the foul, skunk-like odor it reportedly leaves behind. Another notorious southern cryptid is the Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp in South Carolina. In 1988, a 17-year-old named Christopher Davis had a terrifying encounter after his car broke down near the swamp: a green, scaly, red-eyed humanoid reportedly chased him and climbed onto his vehicle. Several more sightings followed that summer before reports tapered off, but the story still draws attention (and tourism) to Bishopville.

•  The Midwest features dramatic aerial and canine threats. The Piasa Bird (from Illinois Native American lore) is a massive, winged creature resembling a Thunderbird or prehistoric pterosaur, often depicted with horns, scales, and a taste for devouring humans or large animals. Then there’s the Dogman—a bipedal, humanoid canine said to be aggressive and terrifying. Reports come from the Midwest heartland as well as the Appalachian Mountains. Closely related is the Beast of Bray Road in Wisconsin, a wolf-like creature (sometimes described as a werewolf) known for stalking rural roads, chasing cars, and appearing on a specific stretch of Bray Road near Elkhorn. Witnesses describe it as 6–7 feet tall with glowing eyes and a muscular, fur-covered body that can walk on two or four legs.

•  In the West, Bigfoot (also known as Sasquatch) reigns supreme, with frequent sightings across Washington, Oregon, and California. Variations include the Batsquatch—a flying, bat-winged version of the creature with blue or purple fur and leathery wings. The region also hosts the Skinwalker, a malevolent Navajo witch from Southwest lore who gains evil powers (often by harming family members) and shapeshifts into animals to sow chaos. Farther out in Hawaii, fairy-like Menehune—small people standing about 2–4 feet tall—are said to have built impressive stone structures and engineering works before modern settlers arrived. They’re described as shy, mostly invisible beings who prefer to stay hidden from humans.

Overall, Ocker’s book is more than just a catalog of monsters—it’s a fun, well-researched travelogue that explores how these legends shape local identity, tourism, and culture across all 50 states. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, it’s an entertaining read that makes you want to hit the road and keep an eye out for the unexplained.