March 11, 2024 | Sarah Ng

10 Destinations Known For Their Legendary Monsters


Do You Believe In Legends?

For supernatural enthusiasts everywhere, these are the destinations best known for their legendary monsters.

Monsters-Msn-2

Mongolian Death Worm

Location: Gobi Desert

The Mongolian Death Worm is reminiscent of the fictional sandworms in Frank Herbert's Dune. According to legend, this red-colored monster slithers beneath the scorching sand, waiting to devour its prey.

Landscape Photo of people riding camels in Gobi Desert MongoliaLaika ac, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Venom Sprayer

Like most of the monsters on this list, the Mongolian Death Worm is not cute. About two to five feet in length, it breaks the sand's surface to take down its victims, spraying venom at the same time. It can also electrically shock them.

With a backstory like that, it's no wonder that nomadic tribes have feared this mythical creature for so long.

Camels walking on a field next to a person in green shirt riding a bike in the Gobi Desert MongoliaJulie Laurent, Flickr

Loch Ness Monster

Location: Scotland

Many have heard about the infamous Loch Ness Monster, believed to reside in the dark depths of Scotland's Loch Ness. Its first sighting took place as far back as 565 AD.

Landscape Photo of The Loch Ness and Urquhart CastleGuillaume Pioll, Wikimedia Commons

A Sea Serpent

The Loch Ness Monster, sometimes called Nessie, is rumored to be a plesiosaur or sea serpent. The creature has captivated the minds of monster hunters everywhere, and there has been no shortage of phony photographs and ruses surrounding it. 

Tourists continue to be drawn to the undying legend of the Loch Ness Monster.

Landscape Photo of Loch Ness on SunsetVaidotas Mišeikis, Flickr

The Mothman

Location: West Virginia, USA

Between 1966 and 1967, the residents of Point Pleasant experienced a string of nightmarish months. Many witnessed a monstrous-looking creature. Though it had some human features, it also had red eyes and a 10-foot wingspan. It was seven feet tall. This was the Mothman.

Photo of the statue of Mothman in Point Pleasant, West Virginiamarada, Flickr

Paranormal Activity

These sightings of the Mothman were terrifying enough, but reportedly they also came with some paranormal occurrences. Residents claimed that their pets had disappeared and that they'd experienced unusual television interference. Unfortunately, this was only the tip of the iceberg.

The confluence of the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers. The Kanawha River flows in from the left of the picture and joins the Ohio, meandering off in the distance.Charles Johnson, Wikimedia Commons

He Was To Blame

On December 15, 1967, a tragedy occured. During the busiest time of the day, the Silver Bridge collapsed. There were 46 fatalities. Supersititous residents pointed fingers of blame at the Mothman.

Grayscale Photo of Silver Bridge Collapsed, Ohio SideFederal Highway Administration, Wikimedia Commons

El Chupacabra

Location: Latin America

El Chupacabra is a legendary bloodsucking creature that some say roams parts of Puerto Rico, Mexico, Latin America, and the US. And its origin story is not for the faint of heart.

Landscape Photo of Moca, a town and municipality of Puerto RicoNelson Corales, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

A Bloodsucking Creature

In 1995, people began discovering that their farm animals had met gruesome ends. Some reported that the bloody-thirsty creature responsible was a hairless monster with an egg-shaped head—the El Chupacabra.

Landscape Photo of Puerto Rico Vista, Looking northeast from El Yunque National ParkTrish Hartmann, Flickr

The Sobering Truth

The El Chupacabra was also said to have vicious fangs, red eyes, and spikes down its back. However, biologists suggested a sobering explanation. They insisted that this so-called monster was most likely a coyote with mange.

Close up Photo of Coyote seen at Sobrante Ridge Regional Preserve, Richmond, CaliforniaBecky Matsubara, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

The New Jersey Devil

Location: New Jersey

The New Jersey Devil has a very odd appearance. Standing on two feet, it has small arms, bat wings, a horse's head, sharp claws, and a forked tail. It's also said to have blood-curdling scream.

Grayscale Photo of Japhet Leeds House on Moss Mill Road in Leeds PointHistoric American Buildings Survey (HABS), Wikimedia Commons

Birthing A Monster

Though it has origins in Native American folklore, the legend of the New Jersey Devil had the rumor mill churning overtime in 1735. That year, a resident allegedly birthed one of these monsters.

View South Along Leeds Point Rd By Leeds Point Post OfficeLaetusStudiis, Wikimedia Commons

Spring-Heeled Jack

Location: England

In 1837, the Spring-Heeled Jack made its mark on Victorian London. This legendary monster had sinister features—hands with metal claws and piercing, scarlet eyes.

Grayscale Photo of The Bank Of England, London, 1885-1895Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

Blue Fire

On top of its chilling appearance, the Spring-Heeled Jack supposedly had the ability to jump extreme heights. It also took down its prey in the most disturbing way... Not only did it have a penchant for ripping skin, but it would do so while expelling blue fire.

Spring Heeled Jack as depicted by an anonymous artistUnknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

On The Move

As the 19th century came to a close, there were even more reported sightings of the Spring-Heeled Jack. People claimed to see the monster in places other than London: Lincolnshire, Liverpool, and Scotland.

Bird's Eye View City of London with a sense of the closely packed character of London in its busiest partpellethepoet, Flickr

Bigfoot

Location: North America, Australia, and Nepal

There are many names for one of the most infamous monsters of all time, Bigfoot. It's also known as the Yeti, the Abominable Snowman, Sasquatch, and Yowie. 

Bigfoot Trails Statue in Cataloochee North Carolina USAWarren LeMay, Wikimedia Commons

A Smelly Beast

Many cultures have claimed to see a creature resembling an ape, but standing on two feet, Big Foot reportedly has a foul odor, large feet, and tons of hair.

"Bigfoot" carving at the Crystal Creek Reservoir in ColoradoAlexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Caught On Camera

True believers have tried to present some questionable evidence to prove Bigfoot's existence. They've cast massive footprints, snapped blurry photos, and caught the beast on film. Scientists, however, remain unconvinced.

Frame 352 from the Patterson Gimlin Bigfoot filmRoger Patterson and Robert Gimlin, Wikimedia Commons

Bunyip

Location: Australia

The Bunyip dwells in watery settings, including billabongs, ponds, and creeks—and it certainly isn't pretty to look at. The creature supposedly has huge eyes, curling tusks, and even flippers.

 Bronze statue of The Bunyip by Ron Brooks, at the State Library of VictoriaNickm57, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

It Comes At Night

The Bunyip has its roots in Indigenous folklore—and in the early 1880s, there were sightings of this unique creature. According to legend, the Bunyip rears its head at night and hunts down women, children, and other animals.

Statue of The Mulgildie Bunyip at Mulgildie, Queensland, AustraliaMattinbgn, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Shadow People

Location: Worldwide

Admittedly, Shadow People are not physical monsters, but they can affect the physical world. Almost every place on earth has a ghost story to tell.

When sighted, Shadow People are usually dark figures, often seen out of the corner of one's eye.

 Silhouette of person with hands on glassRon Lach, Pexels

The Hat Man

One example of a shadow person is an entity known as the "Hat Man"—and what sets him apart is the the fedora he wears. Reportedly, the Hat Man and sleep paralysis often come hand in hand. 

Accounts of the "Hat Man" are quite recent—around the late 2000s.

Silhouette of man wearing hat during night timecottonbro studio, Pexels

Shapeshifters

Location: Worldwide

What are shapeshifters? Vampires and werewolves would be the most popular examples, but it's also any creature that transforms from one thing to another. 

In fact, numerous cultures have unique legends in regards to shapeshifters.

A black and white reproduction of The Vampire by Philip Burne-JonesPhilip Burne-Jones, Wikimedia Commons

They Can Be Found Everywhere

There are Filipino, Celtic, Slavic, Filipino, Native, American, and Japanese shapeshifters. Though most of these monsters are considered threatening, some—like the Japanese Kitsune—are tricksters.

Prince Hanzoku Terrorised By A Nine- Tailed FoxUtagawa Kuniyoshi, Wikimedia Commons


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