Ozark Howler
This cryptid has been sighted in the Ozark Mountains, which span the Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. Though, there have been a few sightings in Texas too, so maybe a few had issues with living in Oklahoma. Still, what are these creatures supposed to be?
The Ozark Howler is said to be the size of a bear, really hairy, and have horns. Its fur is very dark, which is why it’s sometimes called the Ozark Black Howler. The most important feature of this cryptid is its call. A distinctive howl that has various descriptions such as a wolf mixed with an elk or a half-human scream. Some say that it’s a deep noise while others claim its high-pitched. Strange how a variety of noises is connected to the same creature.
Pictures of the Ozark Howler have been provided, but they are usually a hoax or appear to be a mountain lion. An issue with the latter is that there is apparently no breeding mountain lion breeding population in Arkansas. The best guess there is one has wandered into the area or a big cat has escaped captivity to roam the wilderness. So, the cougar is the most likely physical suspect of this cryptid, but that doesn’t explain the horns and shaggy fur. Although, there is a good argument for the American red wolf even though people tend to describe a feline instead of a canine.
As far as the sounds go, there isn’t a constant description. It seems to simply be loud, creepy noises at night that a person can’t entirely identify. The wolf/elk combo even has a version where a hyena laugh is added. Other possibilities are red foxes, raccoons, and fishers, which live in the area. Since the noise isn’t consistently described, there isn’t any way to get a solid idea of what the Ozark Howler is. Then again, it could come from an older mythology too.
The Ozarks were originally settled by English, Irish, and Scottish settlers. They have a myth of Cu Sith, which was a large black dog with glowing eyes. This was a death omen, so maybe this came about if the original Howler was a mountain lion or bear that also ended up killing people. The Cu Sith was also said to make a piercing howl three times when it was encountered. So, we have a similar physical description along with an auditory component. In the end, we won’t really know for sure, but the Ozark Howler sightings will still turn up from time to time.
Legends of Windemere 
That’s a scary cryptid! But I think it’s probably a mountain lion. We had a wild cat at our back door a number of years ago, and one had never been seen in our area.
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Probably. I hear they shriek though.
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No howl from the wild cat, but my indoor cat let out a howl that woke us up and drove us downstairs.
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I never heard of that! The large black dog one seems to turn up in stories.
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Black dogs are really common in mythology and lore. Wonder why.
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This is something that would keep me out of the Ozarks completely.
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At least at night.
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Yes for sure. 😳
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A few decades ago there was, in the UK something called the Surrey Puma. It was said to be a large feline that stalked Surrey. Sightings have been noted since the 18th century, but they peaked in the 1960s, I think. Things have been quiet recently, though.
The Ozark Howler does sound a scary creature, though. But I can’t help feeling that something triggers these myths, which then grow with the telling.
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I think it’s typically an animal encounter at night with funky lighting or no visual. Scared people, especially back in history, will jump to conclusions. Most don’t know the fauna of their area too, so they can’t identify.
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That’s true. Especially these days. I heard a funny story about a family who had been moved from a tower block to a house with a garden. The children insisted they’d seen a snake in the garden. Turns out it was a worm!
So ignorance can play a big part, especially if people believe in the supernatural. Viz hell hounds.
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Animals aren’t taught in schools beyond basics these days. Kids don’t learn about them from social media either.
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I like this one. A mountain lion isn’t black and seems to be a weird suspect. I have been aware of some that you’ve presented, and have looked into this one. Aside from looking and sounding tough he doesn’t really deserve the monster slayer treatment.
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I’m wondering if the mountain lion being black is due to shadows and darkness. You might not get a sense of its color when you’re scared out of your pants. That or a mutation.
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The hyena-like cackling makes me think more of coyotes, honestly. If you hear something at night and don’t know what it is, that can be pretty alarming!
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Could be.
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Fascinating
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Thanks.
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Welcome i love cryptology so these little snippets are awesome to read
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