Beasts, Monsters and Mysteries Quiz

Answer: A handsome horse

The Each-uisge is a water horse from Scottish folklore. It's said to live in lochs and sometimes in the sea around Scotland. It can change its shape but is often described as a horse. According to legend, it could lure people close before grabbing them and dragging them into the water.

Stories describe the Each-uisge as taking human form as well as the form of a horse. Unlike the kelpie, another Scottish water horse, it is particularly associated with deep Highland lochs. Some traditional accounts say that once a rider is on its back and the creature reaches the water, its skin becomes adhesive and the rider can't escape. Tales of the creature were used as warnings about the dangers of Scotland's lochs and other bodies of water.

Answer: Wales

The Afanc is a lake monster from Welsh folklore. Different legends describe it as resembling a crocodile, a giant beaver or a dwarf-like creature with great strength. It's said to live in deep lakes and rivers, with stories placing it in locations including Llyn Barfog and Glaslyn. The Afanc was blamed for floods, drowned livestock and attacks on people who ventured too close to the water.

According to one popular legend, King Arthur defeated an Afanc by dragging it from Llyn Barfog using his horse Llamrai. In another version, the creature was lured from the water by a maiden and then captured. Some versions of the legend say that it was taken to Glaslyn, where it was confined. Tales of the Afanc were also used to warn children about the dangers of deep water.

Answer: The Pacific Northwest

Bigfoot, also called Sasquatch, is a famous cryptid from North American folklore. It's usually described as a large, ape-like creature standing around 1.8 to 2.7 metres (6-9 feet) tall, covered in dark brown or reddish hair and walking upright. Many sightings have occurred in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, particularly in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia. Witnesses have described it as powerfully built, with long arms and sometimes a distinctive musky smell. It is generally said to be shy and to avoid people.

The best-known piece of Bigfoot evidence is the Patterson-Gimlin film, recorded in 1967 at Bluff Creek in Northern California. The film appears to show a large, hairy creature walking through a clearing. Numerous footprint casts have also been collected over the years, although their authenticity remains disputed. Sceptics have suggested that some evidence can be explained by misidentified animals or hoaxes.

Despite numerous searches and investigations, no bones, bodies or other conclusive physical evidence of Bigfoot have been found.

Answer: It walks upright on its hind legs

The Beast of Bray Road is a werewolf-like creature associated with Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Reports in the area increased during the late 1980s and early 1990s. It's been described as a large, hairy creature with a wolf-like or bear-like appearance, sometimes walking upright on its hind legs. Some reports describe it as around 2.13 metres (7 feet) tall when standing and weighing several hundred pounds.

It's said to have been seen around rural roads and farmland in southern Wisconsin. Earlier reports from the region have also been linked to the legend, including an account from 1936. The sightings attracted attention after local newspaper reporter Linda Godfrey began investigating reports in the early 1990s. No physical evidence has established the existence of such a creature, and the Beast remains part of Wisconsin folklore.

Answer: Scratch marks on vehicles

In 1988, reports emerged from Bishopville, South Carolina, of a bipedal reptilian creature seen near Scape Ore Swamp. It was described as roughly 2.1 metres (6 feet 11 inches) tall, with green, lizard-like skin, red eyes and three fingers on each hand. Some people said that it attacked their vehicles, leaving scratches and other damage. One of the best-known reports involved teenager Christopher Davis, who said that a creature attacked his car while he was driving home.

Other reports followed, including claims of footprints and damage to vehicles. Sceptics have suggested that some sightings may have involved misidentified animals or hoaxes. No conclusive evidence of the creature has been found.

Answer: It has three legs

In April 1973, residents of Enfield, Illinois, reported encounters with a bizarre creature over a period of about two weeks. Witnesses described it as around 1.2-1.5 metres (3 feet 11 to 5 feet) tall, with grey skin, three legs and short arms. It was said to have pink eyes and to make hissing or screaming sounds. The creature hopped or jumped rather than walking normally. Several people reported seeing it, including some who fired shots at it.

The sightings ended after about two weeks. Some people suggested that the creature could have been an escaped exotic animal, while others believed it was something unknown. The Enfield Horror became part of Illinois folklore because of the unusual reports of a three-legged creature.

Answer: Half dog, half otter

The Dobhar-chú is a creature from Irish folklore, which is described as half dog and half otter. Its name means 'water hound' in Irish. Some accounts describe it as around 2.13 metres (7 feet) long, with dark fur, and say that it lives in lakes and rivers across Ireland. It is said to be aggressive and dangerous, attacking people who venture too close to its territory. Some accounts also describe it as making a high-pitched whistling sound when disturbed.

One of the best-known pieces of evidence associated with the Dobhar-chú is a gravestone in Conwall Cemetery, County Leitrim, dating from 1722. The stone depicts a creature attacking a woman and commemorates Grace Connolly, who, according to local legend, was killed by a Dobhar-chú at Glenade Lake. Her husband is said to have tracked down and killed the creature, but its mate then pursued him. Similar stories have been reported from other Irish lakes, although no physical evidence of the creature has been found.

Answer: Scotland

Am Fear Liath Mòr, or the Big Grey Man, is said to haunt Ben MacDhui, the second-highest mountain in Scotland. Climbers and hillwalkers have reported strange encounters there since the late 1800s. Witnesses have described feeling uneasy, hearing footsteps behind them when nobody was there, or seeing a large grey figure in the mist. Some have also reported feeling as though they were being followed for part of the way down the mountain.

One of the best-known accounts came from mountaineer Norman Collie in 1925. He described hearing large footsteps following him while he was caught in thick fog on the mountain. One possible explanation is a Brocken spectre, an optical effect caused by light and shadow. Other explanations have included the effects of isolation, difficult weather conditions and fear.

Answer: Cornwall

In 1976, reports emerged from Mawnan, Cornwall, of a creature resembling a giant owl with human characteristics. It was described as having a man-sized body, wings, pointed ears and glowing red eyes. It was seen near Mawnan Church and flying among the trees. Several children also reported encounters with it.

There were further sightings of it during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. The Owlman has been compared with other winged humanoid creatures such as Mothman from American folklore. Sceptics have suggested that some sightings may have involved large owls or other birds, while others remain unexplained.

Answer: A large black cat

Since the 1970s, people have reported sightings of a large black cat on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. Witnesses have described a creature much larger than a domestic cat, often comparing it to a panther or puma. There have also been reports of livestock being killed with injuries said to be consistent with big cat attacks. Some witnesses have taken photographs and videos, although none has provided conclusive evidence of a large cat.

In 1995, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food investigated reports of a big cat on Bodmin Moor but found no conclusive evidence of its presence. A skull found near the moor was initially identified as belonging to a large cat, although this did not establish that a wild big cat was living there. One theory is that exotic cats released or escaped from private collections during the 1960s and 1970s could account for some sightings. Reports of large black cats on the moor have continued over the years.