Following the paw prints of Monday's Wolpertinger, I give you the phooka. What these creatures have common is that they are bot cryptids.
"In cryptozoology and sometimes in cryptobotany, a cryptid (from the Greek κρύπτω, krypto, meaning "hide") is a creature or plant whose existence has been suggested but has not been discovered or documented by the scientific community. Cryptids often appear in folklore and mythology, leading to stories and unfounded belief about their existence. Well-known examples include the Yeti in the Himalayas, the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland, Bigfoot in North America and the Chupacabra in Latin America." (Wikipedia)
"The púca (Irish for spirit/ghost), pooka, phouka, phooka, phooca, puca or púka, is primarily a creature of Irish folklore. Considered to be bringers both of good and bad fortune, they could either help or hinder rural and marine communities. The creatures were said to be shape changers which could take the appearance of black horses, goats and rabbits." (Wikipedia)
Cryptid's not familiar to me, but pooka definitely is. :D We even had a cat named Pooka when I was growing up!
ReplyDeleteI can totally see Pooka as a cat name. They sound like mischievous creatures.
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