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Jersey Devil |
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Since the early 1800s, strange creatures have been sighted in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, known as the Jersey Devils. Although various creatures have been given the name of Jersey Devil, from a suspiciously bogeyman-like creature to some water monsters, it has most often been applied to a huge bat-like creature of about three to four feet (about 1 meter) in body length and with a wingspan of between four and nine feet (1 - 3 meters). It is covered in brown or black fur, except for its bare-skinned wings. It has a long-necked boxy head described as horselike or dog-like, with moderately-sized ears; its body bears diminutive forelimbs and crane-like hind limbs, sometimes said to have hooves, and a long tail. Various livestock killings have been attributed to the creature, though whether or not there is any truth to this cannot be said. One of the most descriptive sightings of the creature comes from 1909, a year in which the creature was sighted very frequently. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Evans allegedly saw the creature outside their window one evening, and described their encounter thus: "It was about three feet and a half high, with a head like a collie dog and a face like a horse. It had a long neck, wings about two feet long, and its back legs were like those of a crane, and it had horse's hooves. it walked on its back legs and held up two short front legs with paws on them. It didn't use the front legs at all while we were watching. My wife and I were scared, I tell you, but I managed to open the window and say, "Shoo!" and it turned around, barked at me, and flew away." Various suggestions have been made regarding the Jersey Devil's identity, such as some sort of surviving pterosaur, or a giant bat. It may indeed be that the creature has never existed all. In any case, it remains a mystery for the time being. - entry provided by Willie Shughart, polevik99@hotmail.com
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