Cryptid Corner Squonk Edition

By Coert Du Bois and by William T. Cox; - "Fearsome Creatures of the Lumberwoods" 1910

Welcome to Cryptid Corner where we explore the fascinating world of cryptids and supernatural beings. Our subject for today is the sad little ball of tears the Squonk, who hails from the forests of Pennslyvania.

The squonk is one of the most unusual beasts I have come across during my research on cryptids. The squonk doesn't guard treasure or play tricks, it cries...like a lot. Roughly the size of a pig the squonk is said to be covered in sagging and warty skin and has a very melancholy disposition. It tends to spend most of its time weeping, hiding and avoiding its own reflection. They are said to leave a trail of tears behind them and if they are cornered or captured it will dissolve itself into a pool of tears or bubbles to escape.

Illustrated by Margaret R. Tryon in Fearsome critters (1939)

The legends started between the late 19th and early 20th century, hunters and lumberjacks in Pennsylvania would tell stories of sightings of the creature. The stories became popular and eventually spread out of Pennsylvania. The earliest written account of the squonk came to us from William T. Cox in "Fearsome Creatures of the Lumberwood, with a Few Desert and Mountain Beasts", published in 1910 it further expanded the legend, including its Latin name Lacrimacorpus Dissolvens which translates to: "Tears Dissolving Body".

In a world full of scary monsters the squonk reminds us that the most memorable legends reflect our vulnerabilities- and cry about them too.

Signing off

John Buchanan

Sources: Wikipedia, Fearsome Creatures of the Lumberwood, with a few Mountain and Desert Beasts by William T Cox. Fearsome Critters by Henry H Tryon