Snallygaster

Type: Cryptid / Dragon-like Beast

Region: Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the Mid-Atlantic USA

Description: The Snallygaster is a bizarre, dragon-like creature said to inhabit the hills and forests of Maryland and surrounding Mid-Atlantic states. Early German settlers described it as a terrifying beast with a long, metallic beak lined with razor-sharp teeth, a scaly or feathered body, massive wings, and sometimes even tentacles. Legend holds that the Snallygaster swoops down to snatch livestock—and occasionally unsuspecting humans.

Behavior: Known for its bloodthirsty nature, the Snallygaster is said to drain the blood of its victims with its sharp beak before carrying them off. It’s described as a powerful flyer capable of terrorizing entire communities, and sightings were once so common that newspapers in the 1800s ran stories about it. Some accounts suggest it was hunted using firearms and even cannons during early encounters.

Cultural Significance:
The Snallygaster has become a symbol of Maryland folklore and is celebrated for its weird, over-the-top mythology. It blends early European dragon myths with Appalachian storytelling, and its legend once grew so large that a U.S. President (Theodore Roosevelt) was rumored to have considered hunting it. Today, it’s honored at local festivals, and even a craft brewery, Flying Dog Brewery, features the Snallygaster as its mascot. According to local tales, the Snallygaster has a mortal enemy known as the Dwayyo, a wolf-like creature said to clash with the winged beast in the forests of Maryland.