New Hampshire's Enigmatic Wood Devils: Blending Speed, Camouflage, and Shrieks

Have you ever heard of the "Wood Devils" or the "Sheep Squatch"? If not, you're in for a treat (or perhaps a scare) as we delve into the world of lesser-known cryptids. While Bigfoot is undoubtedly the most famous and beloved forest-dwelling creature, there are many other mysterious beings that call the woods their home. Recently, I came across a video from the YouTube channel "The Insomnia Society" that explores some of these strange and intriguing creatures. The video, titled "3 Shocking Bigfoot You're Going to Wish You Didn't Know Existed | Scary Sasquatch Stories & Legends," focuses on three unusual and fascinating cryptids that are sure to leave you wanting to know more. First up, we have the "Wood Devils" of Coos County, New Hampshire. Coos County is the least populated county in the state, with a population of only 31,000, making it the perfect place for cryptids to hide in the trees. The name Coos even means "dwellers in the Pine Tree Place" in the native tribe's language. Imagine hiking in the New Hampshire Woodland alone at night, feeling eyes peering at you from the trees. Suddenly, you catch a glimpse of something tall, gray, and covered in a soft fine fuzz. Its long pointed face opens, releasing a scream that paralyzes you in your seat. This is the chilling encounter reported by those who have encountered the Wood Devils. These creatures are currently only found in New Hampshire and the surrounding area, such as Vermont's White Mountains. They are exceptionally fast and skilled at blending in with the trees, making them difficult to spot. When seen, they release a shrill scream that has a paralyzing effect on their victims, which they use either as an opportunity to escape or as a hunting mechanism. Sightings of the Wood Devils date back to the early 1900s, with the latest report from 2004. Next on the list is the Sheep Squatch, a creature that is both fascinating and terrifying. Found in West Virginia, the Sheep Squatch is a large, bear-like creature with a muzzle of razor-sharp teeth, low-set eyes, and two curved horns. It alternates between two legs and four on raccoon-shaped hands, and its body is covered in filthy yellow-white hair, with the exception of its hairless, possum-like tail. The Sheep Squatch emits a chilling scream, similar to that of the Wood Devils. The Sheep Squatch is most notably seen in the TNT area, a former Ordnance manufacturing site during World War II that was turned into a part landfill, part Wildlife Reserve. This area is said to be home to the mysterious Mothman and, by association, the Sheep Squatch. A new rash of sightings began in 1994, with reports of a large white creature running on its hind legs, covered in shaggy white hair with a pointed snout and topped with a pair of Ram's horns. These are just two of the fascinating creatures discussed in the Insomnia Society's video. While they may not be as well-known as Bigfoot, they are no less intriguing and deserving of our attention. So, the next time you venture into the woods, keep an eye out for these lesser-known cryptids, and remember that the world is full of mysteries waiting to be discovered. As a side note, I recently learned that the scientific name for the study of mythical creatures is cryptozoology. Isn't that fascinating? It's always exciting to learn something new, and I hope you find this bit as interesting as I do. Happy exploring, and don't forget to check out the Insomnia Society's video for more information on these captivating creatures.