Cryptids of Europe

35 of the 213 entries in our encyclopedia. See all regions.

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Afanc · United Kingdom (Wales) (Europe · folklore)
A lake monster of Welsh myth, pictured variously as a crocodile, a beaver, a dwarf-like being or even a platypus.
Am Fear Liath Mòr · United Kingdom (Scotland) (Europe · open)
The 'Big Grey Man' said to haunt the summit and passes of Ben Macdui in the Cairngorms.
Anguila peluda · Spain (Canary Islands) (Europe · folklore)
The 'hairy eel' of Canarian folklore, a huge eel said to have lived in a pool at Punta de Anaga, Tenerife.

Barghest · United Kingdom (England) (Europe · folklore)
A monstrous black dog of Northern English folklore with large teeth and claws.
Beast of Bodmin Moor · United Kingdom (Europe · disputed)
A large black cat said to roam Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, England.
Beast of Dean · United Kingdom (England) (Europe · folklore)
An animal of English folklore said to live, or have lived, in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire.
Beast of Exmoor · United Kingdom (Europe · disputed)
A large black or tawny cat blamed for sheep kills on Exmoor.
Beast of Gévaudan · France (Europe · disputed)
A wolf-like animal blamed for a series of deadly attacks in the former province of Gévaudan, France, 1764–1767.
Black Shuck · United Kingdom (England) (Europe · folklore)
A ghostly black dog said to roam the coast and countryside of East Anglia.
Brosno dragon · Russia (Europe · folklore)
A dragon-like lake monster said to inhabit Lake Brosno near Andreapol in western Russia.

Ceffyl Dŵr · United Kingdom (Wales) (Europe · folklore)
A water horse of Welsh folklore, said to haunt mountain pools and waterfalls.
Cù-sìth · United Kingdom / Ireland (Europe · folklore)
A huge mythical hound of Scottish and Irish folklore with a shaggy dark green coat.

Dobhar-chú · Ireland (Europe · folklore)
The 'water hound' or king otter of Irish and Scottish folklore.

Each-uisge · United Kingdom / Ireland (Europe · folklore)
A water horse of Scottish and Irish folklore, said to be more vicious than the kelpie.
Elwetritsch · Germany (Europe · folklore)
An imaginary bird-like creature of the Palatinate in southwest Germany.

Galloway Puma · United Kingdom (Scotland) (Europe · disputed)
A big cat said to roam Dumfries and Galloway, southwest Scotland.
Girt Dog of Ennerdale · United Kingdom (England) (Europe · disputed)
A dog said to have killed 300–400 sheep on the Cumberland fells in 1810.
Glashtyn · Isle of Man (Europe · folklore)
A creature of Manx folklore, told as a water goblin, a colt or a water bull.

Kelpie · United Kingdom (Scotland) (Europe · folklore)
A shape-shifting water horse said to haunt Scottish lochs.

Lagarfljót Worm · Iceland (Europe · disputed)
A serpent said to live in Lagarfljót lake in eastern Iceland.
Lariosauro · Italy (Europe · hoax)
A lake monster said to live in Lake Como.
Loch Ness Monster (Nessie) · United Kingdom (Europe · disputed)
A large, long-necked animal said to live in Loch Ness, Scotland.

Morag · United Kingdom (Scotland) (Europe · disputed)
A loch monster said to live in Loch Morar.
Muc-sheilche · United Kingdom (Scotland) (Europe · folklore)
A 'turtle-pig' lake monster of Loch Maree.
Muckie · Ireland (Europe · disputed)
A creature of the Lakes of Killarney; a 2003 sonar scan recorded a large object.

Nuckelavee · United Kingdom (Orkney) (Europe · folklore)
A horse-like demon of Orcadian folklore.

Owlman · United Kingdom (Europe · hoax)
An owl-like humanoid reported near Mawnan church.

Selma (Seljordsormen) · Norway (Europe · folklore)
A serpent said to live in Lake Seljord, Telemark.
Shug Monkey · United Kingdom (England) (Europe · folklore)
A dog-monkey of Cambridgeshire folklore.
Skvader · Sweden (Europe · hoax)
A hare–wood grouse taxidermy made in 1918 by Rudolf Granberg.
Spring-heeled Jack · United Kingdom (England) (Europe · folklore)
A leaping entity of Victorian English folklore.
Storsjöodjuret · Sweden (Europe · folklore)
An animal said to live in Lake Storsjön, Jämtland.

Tatzelwurm · Alps (Europe · folklore)
A lizard-like creature of Alpine folklore.

Wolpertinger · Germany (Europe · folklore)
A Bavarian alpine forest animal of folklore.

Zegrze Reservoir Monster · Poland (Europe · hoax)
A fictional lake monster invented by journalist Wojciech Mazurkiewicz.