Picture of the Snallygaster (Artist's Impression)

Snallygaster – Maryland

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The Snallygaster is a legendary flying cryptid that is said to live in the Appalachian region of the United States. Legends of this mysterious cryptid date all the way back to the 18th and 19th centuries with stories about it being particularly popular in Maryland and the surrounding areas.

Cryptid Name:Snallygaster
Location:Appalachian region of the United States, primarily Maryland
Map of where the Snallygaster is found
Category:Flying Cryptid
Description:Bird-like reptilian cryptid with a metallic beak and tentacles which it uses to hold prey.
Size:Large and menacing.
Behavior/Characteristics:Said to terrorize communities, prey on livestock, and occasionally kidnap children according to folklore.
Diet:Folklore suggests it preys on livestock, but there is no concrete evidence of its diet.
Habitat/Environment:Typically associated with rural, mountainous areas in the Appalachian region.
Evidence:No concrete scientific evidence of its existence; considered a creature of legend and folklore.
Sightings and Encounters:Sightings have been reported, notably in 1909 in Frederick County, Maryland, but no definitive proof.
Skepticism/Explanations:Most sightings and encounters are attributed to hoaxes, misidentifications, or exaggerations; considered a mythical creature.

What Does The Snallygaster Look Like?

Picture of the Snallygaster (Artist's Impression)
Artist’s Impression of the Snallygaster

The Snallygaster is described as a reptilian-bird hybrid cryptid that combines the features of both reptiles and birds with dragon-like features.

It is said to have a long, metallic beak with razor-sharp edges which it uses to capture prey.

It has large wings that some describe as either leathery or feathery with a wingspan of several feet. It is also described as having only one eye.

Another interesting feature of the Snallygaster is that some say it has tentacles that it uses to hold objects or prey.

The Legend Of The Snallygaster

Stories about the Snallygaster, or rather “Schneller Geist” (which translates to “quick ghost”) first appeared in the 18th century when immigrants from Germany settled in Frederick County, Maryland. Since then there have been numerous sightings and eyewitness reports which can be traced through newspaper articles that date all the way back to 1909. In fact, the legends and stories about the Sallygaser were so popular at that time that it is said that even US President Teddy Roosevelt planned to track and hunt the beast!

Although I couldn’t find many of the original articles, I did find one from the Crossfield Chronicle that was published on the 25th of January 1952.

1952 Newspaper article mentioning the Snallygaser
Snallygaster Newspaper Article – 1952
Source: Crossfield Chronicle

Modern Mentions Of The Snallygaster

The Snallygaster has become quite a popular character in modern pop culture including literature (Fantastic Beasts And Where to Find Them – J.K. Rowling), video games (Fallout 76), and even a beer festival!

The Snallygaster festival is an annual beer festival that was first established in Washington DC in 2011 to celebrate both craft beer and the Maryland cryptids.

The Snallygaster Festival – Washington D.C.

Other Flying Cryptids

Resources

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