Last Updated on October 30, 2023 by Jess
Whether you think they’re folklore or urban legends, there are stories of mysterious creatures on the loose all over the world. For one small town on the East Coast, it’s the Dover Demon.
Is this creepy story true? If not, what’s behind these strange and unexplained sightings? Fortunately for you, we’re not afraid to uncover the truth.
Today we’re tackling this disturbing urban legend. Let’s see if we can ease your worries or stir up new fears.
What is the Dover Demon?
The Dover Demon is a legendary monster that many claim to have sighted in the woods of Dover, Massachusetts. But as with any cryptic creature, there is a healthy dose of skepticism. This eerie tale is passed down from generation to generation, with no proof or disproof of the demon’s existence.
As the legend has grown, it has become part of pop culture. The program Lost Tapes on Animal Planet dealt with the Dover Demon in one of its episodes. He also appeared as a character in several comic books, one of which featured him having the power to see into the future.
What does the Dover Demon look like?
Since there are no pictures or video evidence, descriptions are based on sightings. Eyewitnesses who have seen the demon believe it to be about three to four feet tall.
He has long, thin limbs and is hairless. He is often described as an alien or gargoyle-like creature with bright orange eyes that stand out against his pale body.
One of the most compelling components of the story is that the descriptions are all very similar. Usually in these situations there are variations in the details of the body description.
However, this was not the case with the sightings of the Dover Demon. This has fueled speculation about its existence among the public and cryptozoology enthusiasts.
History of the Dover Demon
The first reported sighting of the Dover Demon occurred on April 21, 1977. William “Bill” Bartlett was 17 years old when he saw a mysterious creature while driving. He described what he saw as a large-eyed creature with glowing eyes sitting along Farm Street in Dover, Massachusetts.
That same evening, 15-year-old John Baxter reported a similar sighting on another street. The following evening, Abby Brabham, also a teenager, reported another sighting on Springdale Avenue. The sketches of the entity made by the teens were nearly identical.
The sightings occurred in a nearly straight line about two miles apart. Some believe the teens mistakenly misidentified what they saw.
Skeptics think it could have been a newborn moose, elk or snowy owl. However, the teens signed their names, confirming that they saw what they claimed to see.
Other creepy, cryptic creatures
The Dover Demon is not the only creepy, cryptic creature roaming the wild. Here are some other mysterious creatures that may or may not exist.
Chupacabra
The legend of the Chupacabra began to circulate throughout Latin America in the mid-1990s. A mysterious number of livestock killings occurred throughout the region. Farmers claimed the beast targeted goats, sheep, and other small animals.
It sucked their blood and left two puncture wounds in the neck of its victims.
Although it is rarely sighted, many claim it is an alien or reptilian creature with quills running down its back. Its eyes are hard to miss as they glow bright red. Some believe it is the result of a government experiment, while others claim it is an alien.
Mongolian Death Worm
The Mongolian Death Worm resembles the Chupacabra, but wreaks havoc in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. It is also known as “Olgoi-Khorkhoi” or “Allghoi Khorkhoi”. However, as soon as you learn about this creature, it is scary, no matter what you call it.
This scary creature is part of Mongolian folklore and is often spread among nomadic tribes. They claim it is between two and five feet long and as thick as a human arm.
Its skin is tough and it can be seen moving through the sand in a wave-like motion. It kills its prey by expelling a caustic, acidic venom. Touching it would likely result in serious illness or even death.
Jersey Devil
While the Chupacabra and Mongolian Death Worm live outside the borders of the United States, this is not the case with the Jersey Devil, as well as the Dover Demon. This legendary creature is said to live in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Locals believe it has haunted the woods since the early 18th century, making it one of the oldest American cryptids.
Legend has it that a local woman cursed the birth of her 13th child while it was in the womb. When it was born, it was a hideous and deformed creature. It is a winged creature with the hooves and head of a horse.
It can also cause serious damage with its sharp claws at the base of its hooves. Shortly after its birth, the devil used its wing to disappear into a nearby forest.
Sightings are rare, but a 1909 sighting caused panic in New Jersey and neighboring states. Locals accused the Jersey Devil of terrorizing communities. They stated that he was also responsible for killing livestock, crop failures, and other misfortunes.
Read more: Learn more about the legend of the Jersey Devil!
Thunderbird
The thunderbird is another legendary creature known primarily among the Algonquian, Ojibwe, and Lakota. They typically describe it as a huge bird with tremendous strength, a large wingspan, and supernatural abilities. If you ask us, that’s the perfect combination for an eerie creature, even more so than the Dover Demon.
Descriptions of the Thunderbird vary slightly, but many give its wingspan as 20 to 40 feet. Like most large birds of prey, it has powerful talons.
Unlike other winged creatures, however, Thunderbird has supernatural powers that allow him to create thunder and light with his wings. Some believe that he can also control the weather and bring rain or storms when needed.
Orang Pendek
For our final cryptid, the Orang Pendek, we must travel to the dense forests of Sumatra, Indonesia. This is one of the most famous and well-known cryptids in all of Southeast Asia. Its name translates as “little man” or “little man”. Although this may be offensive to some people, it describes this cryptid perfectly.
According to witnesses, Orang Pendek is between one and five feet tall. He is covered in thick, dark hair and has an ape-like appearance. He is often thought to be a smaller version of a Yeti or Bigfoot. Attempts have been made to secure DNA evidence or photographs, but they have failed.
Those who believe in the existence of this creature consider it to be an unknown primate species. Others think it may be a prehistoric human-like species. What is the truth? As with the Dover Demon, we won’t know until someone captures the evidence.
Remember: Are you looking for creepy places to explore? Then you should check out these abandoned places in Maine!
The Demon of Dover will creep you out
The legend of the Dover Demon and these other creatures can send a shiver down your spine. Since there is no evidence to prove or disprove their existence, you may think twice about chasing mysterious noises from now on. However, if you find evidence of these cryptids, you might become famous on the spot.
Could you be the next victim of the Dover Demon? Let’s hope not!