Thylacine From Wood’s Natural History Picture Book, 1880s /90s.

Thylacine

Author: 1911 footage by “Mr. Williamson”, 1933 footage by David Fleay. Authors of the 1928 footage are unknown. Date: 1911, 1928 (2-4), and 1933.

Cutest Cryptid - The Tizzie Wizzie

The Tizzie Wizzie was reported to be a shy, water-loving cryptid from around the Windermere region of Cumbria. It was allegedly first spotted by a Bowness boatman in 1900, and was reputed to have the body of a hedgehog, the tail of a squirrel or fox, and bee-like wings. 

The above photograph was apparently taken when one was captured in 1906, and was subsequently made and sold as a very popular postcard. It is highly likely that this creature was invented as a cutesy publicity stunt - but still possibly the cutest cryptid I’ve ever heard of!

http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/placestogo/explorewindermere/uniquelywindermere

Hidebehinds are large dog-like creatures found in the stories of lumberjacks. Hidebehinds are described as large dog-like creatures with black, shaggy fur, long, sharp claws, and a tail. The Hidebehind gets its name due to the fact that it hides behind people and when they turn around the Hidebehind hides behind an object or runs behind the person so it isn’t seen then once it gets close enough the Hidebehind kills its victim and then eats them. Experts believe that the Hidebehinds could be black bears.

Some beautiful 35mm stills from a 1928 film of three thylacines residing at the Beaumaris Zoo, Hobart. Stills taken by James Malley.

The Last Thylacine: September 7, 1936

Hey everyone! This may be a little late depending on your time zone (as I’m in Los Angeles / PST, I’m behind practically everyone). Sorry about that!

Today, September 7th, 2019, marks the 83rd Anniversary of the death of the last known thylacine in the Hobart Zoo. This animal is pictured above.

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions surrounding the thylacine - and this individual in particular - so I thought I’d make a post to correct a few of these. Keep in mind that new facts and evidence do occasionally come to light, so this is of course subject to change!

MYTH #1: The last thylacine was named Benjamin.

FACT: The name “Benjamin” was allegedly given to the animal by a keeper named Frank Darby. Darby later claimed to have worked with this animal in an interview that took place in 1968. However, no record exists of Darby ever working at the Hobart Zoo, and the zoo curator’s daughter Alison Reid denied that Darby ever worked there.** [Source]

** Note: Although the nickname “Benjamin” was likely made up by Darby after the fact, it has stuck, so many thylacine enthusiasts (including me) still use it to refer to the last individual.

MYTH #2: The last thylacine was actually female.

FACT: Zoologist David Fleay, who took much of the film footage of this individual, stated in a newspaper article and diary entry that the animal was male, referring to it as a “fine male marsupial wolf.” Furthermore, in 2011, careful video analysis by Dr. Stephen Sleightholme (director of the ITSD) confirmed the presence of a scrotal sac, indicating that the last thylacine was indeed a male. [Source, Source]

MYTH #3: “Benjamin” was part of the Mullins family group.

FACT: The Mullins female was snared while her young were still in the pouch. This assertion would assume that “Benjamin” was one of the pups, grew up in captivity, and was the last surviving member of the family. However, in photos (including the one on this post), the snare mark is clearly visible on the animal’s hind leg, indicating that it was wild caught. It is more likely that “Benjamin” was snared by a man named Elias Churchill, though this is also debated. [Source]

MYTH #4: The carcass of “Benjamin” was immediately discarded after death because it was in poor condition.

FACT: The carcass was in fact sent to the Tasmanian Museum. What happened to it after that is unknown. [Source]

Pridelacines now available on RedBubble! Show your stripes ❤

The door of the Holy Trinity Church in Blythburgh, England, boasts the proposed claw marks of Black Shuck. On August 4th, 1577, the Hellhound burst through the door of the church during a thunderstorm, interrupting the congregation in their meeting. Records state that two people, a man and a boy, were killed by the beast and the steeple of the church collapsed.  The marks were made when Black Shuck left the church after the attack. 

Lonely Benjamin