Cryptids on the North American continent are typically seen as both comical and fearsome, in some way. They were often, as in the rest of the world, used to explain away phenomena of the natural world. One example would be the axe-handle hound, who existed for the sole purpose of consuming axe and peavy handles, with the exception of those made from red oak which it disliked. This humorous creation obviously created a narrative to explain vanishing handles on job sites and logging operations in a way that deflected blame and provided and amusing anecdote (and perhaps fooled some gullible youths). And of course there is always our friend the jackalope – any amusing critter that seems to have surpassed it’s brethren in his fame.
The Wampus Cat has a wide range of territory and has been adapted across its territory to suit the needs to the storyteller, shifting its behavior and appearance as needed. Some paint it as a giant ferocious feline, like a panther, others have it as a more amusing housecat. Sometimes it’s seen with six powerful legs. In Henry Tyron’s Fearsome Critters the creature is described as a remarkable beast that is almost impossible to kill, with tufted ears, a thick hide, and a glance that ignites fires. It has a retractable arm that it uses to snatch eagles from the sky, and delivers the feathers to Native American tribes. The animal, being mischievous and hardy, is to blame for all manner of ills befalling trappers and settlers but is also not traded for its fur.
Beyond the description above, other areas have described it as no more than an unseen feline whining in the night. Sometimes it is the reason livestock is killed, certainly to blame if cattle do not produce milk as they should. This fluidity of its description and its use as a receptacle of blame for the bad luck of hunters and settlers remind me of the troll hare or troll cat of the British Isles and shows how far spread tales of fantastic felines spread around our world.
