Classification: Mythical Beasts & Cryptids

Temporal Range: 1890s

Geographic Range: Wisconsin, USA

Diet: Unknown

Horde: North American

With the head of a frog, the body of some ancient dinosaur, and short, stumpy legs, the Hodag is a fearsome critter of the American state of Wisconsin. This monstrosity sounds like it was cooked up in some mad scientist’s lab, but we’ve just got nature to blame for a frightening creature that defies categorization.

Several news reports from the 1890s document both the finding of dead and living specimens. The first was killed with dynamite, and its charred corpse put on display for the locals. The second was supposedly captured alive by Eugene Shepard, who charged people to come and see it. Shepard’s specimen was quickly found to be a hoax. One of our favorite stories from this charlatan includes the fact that when visitors came to see the beast, he would claim that it was angry and that he needed to calm it. Shepard would then vanish into the beast’s enclosure, tear his own clothes, and when he returned, claim that he’d fought with the Hodag and subdued it.

While Shepard’s specimen was proven to be a hoax, the Hodag itself remains very real, standing proudly as Wisconsin’s national animal. Critter hunters and enthusiasts have kept the search alive, refusing to let Shepard’s deception tarnish the quest for the genuine beast. Should you ever come across this fierce creature, we recommend staying well clear of its claws, which are some of the sharpest seen on any monster. And for your own safety, avoid mentioning the name Eugene Shepard, his stories have cast a shadow on the Hodag’s reputation for over a century.