(opens the full-size plate in a new tab) Taku-He
Hominid
Tied to the 1970s cattle mutilation panic, itself explained by ordinary scavengers.
A towering, bipedal hominid paradoxically observed wearing human clothing while engaging in the brutal, specialized mutilation of local cattle on the open plains.
Etymology. Derived from Lakota mythology, the name translates directly to 'big man'. It was later dubbed the 'McLaughlin Monster' by the press.
Anatomy. It is a towering, hairy gentleman standing remarkably tall with glowing red eyes. Biologically, it leaves massive, 18-inch-long footprints spaced over 4 feet apart, indicating an enormous bipedal stride.
Ecology. Frequents the wide-open plains, dense ravines, and highly active regions like Sica Hollow State Park in South Dakota.
Behavior. Despite being seen as a benevolent guardian spirit in ancient lore, modern iterations depict it as an aggressive predator. It is known to stare creepily at witnesses and has been blamed for terrifying cattle mutilations.
Mythology. A massive wave of 28 sightings in 1977 triggered a full-scale manhunt by tribal police. The creature remains an enduring enigma, tightly weaving ancient Lakota spiritualism with modern, sensationalized cryptozoology.