The Jersey Devil
Wikimedia CommonsThere are several legends about the Jersey Devil, a centuries-old cryptid on this list.
Somewhere in the 1,700 square miles that make up New Jersey’s Pine Barrens, legend says there resides a horse-headed, bat-winged demon known as the Jersey Devil. This horrifying oddity has terrorized New Jersey residents for nearly 300 years — and supposedly still does today.
The Jersey Devil has several different origin stories, but the most common one claims that this legendary creature first made an appearance in 1735. The story goes that a woman named Mother Leeds became pregnant with her 13th child, but because her husband was a drunk and couldn’t provide for his family, they had fallen on hard times. In a bout of desperate frustration, Mother Leeds shouted, “Let this child be the devil!”
Mother Leeds’ prayer (or curse) was answered, as her 13th child was born as a winged beast with a long tail and talons. Though she tried to confine the beast to her home, it eventually killed her and escaped into the woods.
Another version of the story claims that Mother Leeds was a witch who said the child’s father was the Devil himself. And another tale tells of an affair between a New Jersey woman and a British soldier. The townsfolk cursed their love, and when the woman bore a child, it became the Jersey Devil.
Regardless of which version of the story you believe — if any — the Jersey Devil has remained a staple of local lore for about three centuries. In fact, like many other cryptids on this list, its popularity has seemingly never faded.
David Black/TwitterAn alleged photo of the Jersey Devil, captured in 2015.
The Jersey Devil legend became so popular, in fact, that in 1960, merchants near Camden put out a $10,000 bounty for anyone who could successfully capture the cryptid. The merchants also said that if the Jersey Devil was caught, they would construct a private zoo for the creature.
No one has been able to claim the prize, but in 2015, a local New Jersey man came forward with claims that he captured the Jersey Devil on camera. The photo “evidence,” however, is unfortunately blurry and lacking.
