Snallygaster
We know this is quite the name to remember. Yet it is crucial that you do, for the Snallygaster could be seen by anytime by us and even you. This dragon-like creature is said to have been a huge problem in the South Mountain region of Maryland. It’s half-reptile, half-bird, equipped with a beak lined with razor-sharp teeth. The creature is known for coming down from the sky to pluck unsuspecting farm animals, pets, and even small children from the ground and take them back to their horrific homes. Of course, some describe it as an octopus with wings, with tentacles coming out of its mouth to seize its prey.
Stories about the Snallygaster date back to the 1700s when German immigrants spotted one somewhere in the Maryland or Pennsylvania area. The story ramped up when the Maryland Valley Register wrote a story about a man being carried off and drained of his blood by one. It was such a big deal, President Teddy Roosevelt wanted to hunt it down personally. However, it is more likely that the immigrants brought their own superstitions with them from overseas and the mythology took off from there. It helps that there have been large birds in those regions for years, which have actually carried off small pets and farm animals before.