This is Pa.’s most famous mythical creature, according to a bestiary (2024)

If science proves anything, it’s that there’s much of the world humans don’t know about. Given this sentiment, who’s to say that there really are no such things as the mythical creatures from fairytales and legends roaming around the more ignored corners of the Earth?

Typically, these creatures seem to exclusively belong to places overseas. But according to “The American Bestiary: The Most Famous Mythical Creature of Every US State, Illustrated,” on CasnNetUSA, each state within our nation has their very own legendary being, Pennsylvania included.

While those educated in the world of cryptids may assume that Bigfoot may be Pennsylvania’s designated mythical mascot, there’s actually another creature that takes the crown. According to “The American Bestiary,” those in the Keystone State should be keeping their eyes peeled for the squonk.

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• Read more: Pennsylvania’s squonk is ‘the homeliest animal in the world’: Monsters of Pennsylvania

The squonk may sound like a sad sack of a creature, and it absolutely is. According to “The American Bestiary,” the squonk is a warty, ragged, pig-looking thing that is so ashamed of its appearance, all it does is cry (not that we all haven’t been there at one point, but moving on).

Mysterious Universe states that squonks lurk in the forests of Pennsylvania, dissipating into a pool of tears should anyone capture them. The site lists one anecdotal story of a man, J.P. Wentling, who was able to catch a squonk in a sack only to realize that the miserable creature had melted into tears as he carried it home.

For Pennsylvanians who are a bit disappointed that the squonk was named the state’s most famous mythical creature, Mysterious Universe also lists werewolves, the Raystown Ray, and, of course, Bigfoot, to be amongst the legendary beings that have made the Keystone State their home.