Half rabbit, half antelope—and all mischief. This week, we dig into one of America’s most enduring mythological mashups: the jackalope.

Beloved hoax? Ancient cryptid? Viral taxidermy? We trace the jackalope’s strange evolution—from drunken Wyoming prank to echoes of medieval horned hares and Mesoamerican myths. With antlers on its head, a taste for whiskey, and the uncanny ability to mimic human speech, the jackalope straddles the line between folklore and Frankenstein taxidermy.

Plus: its bizarre mating habits, ancient global cousins like the Wolpertinger and Al-Mi'raj, and the virus that might explain everything.

Strap in for antlers, absurdity, and a surprising amount of historical receipts.

Sources

Fantastically Wrong: The Disturbing Reality That Spawned the Mythical Jackalope | WIRED

The majestic jackalope and how it became a folklore legend | CBC Radio

Jackalope | Cryptid Wiki

The Story Of The Jackalope, The Legendary Rabbit With Antlers Said To Roam Wyoming

Jackalope - Wikipedia

Wolpertinger - Wikipedia

Al-Mi'raj - Wikipedia

Lepus cornutus - Wikipedia

Music attributions

Bent and Broken (intro)

"Bent and Broken" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Awkward Meeting (outro)

"Awkward Meeting" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Beneath the pristine waters of Oregon’s Wallowa Lake, something ancient stirs.

This week, we dive into the chilling legend of Wally, the Wallowa Lake Monster—an elusive, hump-backed serpent feared by many. From a tragic love story punished by a furious lake spirit, to 50-foot serpents and monstrous black heads breaking the surface, the sightings span centuries.

Plus: could a crustacean the size of a horse be hiding beneath the waves? And what do Arab folklore and crab-zilla hoaxes have to do with it?

Legends, love, and lake monsters—tune in now.

Sources

The Nez Perce Legend of Wallowa Lake

Wallowa Lake Monster | Cryptid Wiki

Wallowa Lake Freshwater Crustaceans | Cryptid Wiki

Cryptid Profile: Big Wally (AKA: The Wallowa Lake Monster) — THE PINE BARRENS INSTITUTE

Music Attributions

Bent and Broken (intro)

"Bent and Broken" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Awkward Meeting (outro)

"Awkward Meeting" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Small, pale, and disturbingly human—this week on Creatures Unknown, we dive into the twisted legend of the Melon Heads. With bulbous skulls, razor teeth, and a violent streak, these creatures are said to haunt the forests of Michigan, Ohio, and Connecticut.

Were they tortured orphans? Inbred cannibals? Or figments of fevered local lore? From secret asylums to shadowy roads like “Dracula Drive,” each region has its own dark twist on the myth. Join us as we unravel the eerie origins—and possible truths—behind one of America's strangest urban legends.

Sources

Melon Heads | Cryptid Wiki

Melon heads - Wikipedia

Revenge of The Melonheads: Urban Legend or Real Life Horror? (PART 1) | Geauga County Maple Leaf

Revenge of The Melonheads: Urban Legend or Real Life Horror? (PART 2) | Geauga County Maple Leaf

Music Attributions

Bent and Broken (intro)

"Bent and Broken" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Awkward Meeting (outro)

"Awkward Meeting" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/