6 West Virginia Cryptids: Appearance, Behavior, and Location

For those who embrace the paranormal, the Mountain State is known for its stories of mythical creatures. The Appalachian Mountains are full of yore, and West Virginia is the only state that is entirely within the Appalachian Mountain range. What are the top six West Virginia Cryptids? Read on to find out all about these mysterious and sometimes creepy legends of West Virginia.

1. Mothman

A famous West Virginia cryptid, and one that has made appearances all over the world, is the Mothman. Sightings for the Mothman first began to appear in November 1966 in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. The local paper, The Point Pleasant Register, ran the first story featuring the Mothman. A couple had reported witnessing a flying man-beast with bright red eyes and a wingspan of 10 feet.

Over the next year, multiple sightings were reported around Point Pleasant. As a result, the media picked up the story and created a sensation. The final sighting in Pleasant Point occurred on the day of the tragic Silver Bridge disaster. The disaster was when the 1,460-foot suspension bridge collapsed into the Ohio River without warning, killing 46 people.

After the bridge disaster, people began to speculate that perhaps Mothman was not a dangerous beast but had come to warn the people of West Virginia of the impending tragedy. Today, Point Pleasant celebrates the Mothman with a museum, statue, and festival. As for the Mothman, he continues to make appearances all over the world since his West Virginia beginnings.

What is the Mothman? Bird experts theorize the Mothman may have simply been a sandhill crane or barred owl.

2. Bigfoot (Sasquatch)

Perhaps the most famous cryptid, not just in West Virginia but around the world, is Bigfoot. Also known as the Sasquatch, this elusive creature is said to live deep in the forests of the Appalachian Mountains. Bigfoot is a large, hairy, man-like ape creature, usually described as between six and nine feet tall.

According to the State of West Virginia, there has been a recent cluster of Bigfoot sightings in the southern part of the state, specifically in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

3. Flatwoods Monster

This terrifying creature was said to have been found in the woods in the small town of Flatwoods, WV. Sometimes called Braxie, the Flatwoods Monster was first spotted on the evening of September 12, 1952. The monster is described as being ten feet tall with a red hood-shaped face, glowing eyes, claw-like hands, and wearing a metal-like dress. This strange creature was witnessed when four boys, playing outside, saw a bright streak of light flash across the sky and appear to crash a distance away. When the boys brought their parents to investigate the crash, they encountered the monster in the woods.

Like the Mothman, Braxie has a museum dedicated to its appearance in nearby Sutton. There are also five 10-foot tall wooden Flatwoods Monster chairs located around Flatwoods.

4. Snarly Yow

Sightings of the Snarly Yow date back to the 1700s when German immigrants came to the Potomac River valley. The Snarly Yow has also been spotted around Maryland. It’s described as a furry, pitch-black, dog-like creature with glowing eyes and a large snarling mouth. Those who claim to have seen the Snarly Yow say it also has supernatural abilities. These abilities include appearing and disappearing out of thin air, surviving bullets, and being hit by cars.

5. Sheepsquatch

The Sheepsquatch is one of the more bizarre cryptids of West Virginia. It’s not nearly as famous as Bigfoot, Mothman, or even the Flatlands Monster. However, the Sheepsquatch is a notable cryptid of West Virginia.

Sheepsquatch is a large animal covered in fluffy white wool, about the size of a bear. Sheepsquatch sometimes walks upright, like a human, and sometimes on all fours. Additionally, it’s all white and has a dog-like head, ram-like horns, and sharp teeth and claws. Sightings of the Sheepsquatch occur around the TNT Area in West Virginia. The TNT Area is not far from Point Pleasant (home of the Mothman) and is a former World War II munitions site. Furthermore, it’s been called one of the most mysterious places in the world.

6. Wampus Cat

The Wampus Cat is a half-dog, half-cat cryptid often spotted in West Virginia. The creature is large, weighing up to 600 pounds, and can run upright or on all fours. Though modern-day sightings of the Wampus Cat are frightening, the folklore of the beast dates back to the Cherokees. Native Americans tell the tale of a brave Native American woman whose spirit lives inside the Wampus Cat, protecting her land and her people. 

Summary of 6 West Virginia Cryptids

The photo featured at the top of this post is © andreiuc88/Shutterstock.com