Jersey Devil
The Jersey Devil is a cryptid said to inhabit the Pine Barrens of Southern New Jersey. The creature is often described as a flying biped with hooves, but there are many different variations. The common description is that of a kangaroo-like creature with the head of a goat or deer, leathery bat-like wings, horns, small arms with clawed hands, cloven hooves and a forked tail. It has been reported to move quickly and often is described as emitting a "blood-curdling scream."
The legend of the Jersey Devil dates back to 1735 when a woman from Leeps Point in the Pine Barrens supposedly gave birth to a cursed child. It's said that the baby was born as a hideous creature with hooved feet, clawed hands, glowing red eyes, bat-like wings and a serpent's tail. The creature flew up the chimney and escaped to the Pine Barrens.
In 1909 several bizzare sightings were attributed to the Jersey Devil. Over the course of five days in January over 100 people in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey reported seeing the creature. Many of these sightings have been attributed to missidentification of common animals, hoaxes, and planted stories.
Is this creature a mere manifestation of a "boogeyman" story used to scare young children or could there be a real zoological solution to this mystery?
