Sunshine State monsters: 3 Florida cryptids to learn about this Halloween season

You don't have to be a cryptozoologist to search for mythical creatures whose existence is yet to be proven — you might just have to take a peak in your own backyard.

While we're used to hearing the tales of the Sasquatch and Loch Ness monster growing up, what about the Florida cryptids that are said to roam our state?

They might not be as famous as their fellow mysterious creatures but their names can still send shivers down your spine and faint sense of fear when spoken. From gargantuan gators to demonic cats, here's a look at the strange animals that may exist somewhere in the Florida ecosystems.

Other ways to get spooked in Florida: The ultimate guide to Halloween in Florida: HHN, movies, costumes, haunted houses and more

What is a cryptid?

Before diving into the Sunshine State's supernatural, scary and silly creatures, what even is a cryptid?

As defined by Merriam-Webster, a cryptid is an animal that has been claimed to exist but never proven to exist or one whose existence is not backed up by science. These creatures originate in many stories and legends, whether they are centuries old or sprung up out of nowhere more recently.

For those who are passionate on the subject, cryptozoologists make it their goal to find out whether these cryptids are real. Is Mothman really hiding out in West Virginia? Are there Chupacabras turning Mexican farms into crime scenes? Do fairies protect our gardens and flutter away when we come near?

Skunk Ape

The Pacific Northwest tells the tale of Bigfoot. The Himalayan Mountains are home to the Yeti. And Florida's swamps see the Skunk Ape.

The Skunk Ape is said to be an ape-like creature that inhabits forests and swamps in the southeastern United States. The legend of the Skunk Ape claims to go back hundreds of years, all the way back to the indigenous cultures.

According to experts, an average male Skunk Ape reportedly stands 8 feet tall and weighs roughly 450 lbs, while females are on the smaller end. They stand up on both legs like a human, except they are completely covered in long, reddish or black hair.

One of the more famous sightings was in December of 2000 when a family heard a noise on their porch and came out to see a huge beast outside their home. They snapped a photo of the creature and assumed it was an escaped monkey from the zoo. However, both cryptozoologists and internet users believe they encountered the Skunk Ape.

Want to see evidence in person of the cryptid and go on a tour of where it possibly resides? Dan Shealy's Skunk Ape Headquarters is located at the Trail Lakes Campground on Highway 41 in Ochopee, Florida. It's a research facility focused on proving that these creatures are real.

Wampus Cat

The Wampus Cat is a cat-like cryptid in Appalachian and Native American folklore that varies in appearance, ranging from scary to silly, depending on the region. If you see one of these cats outside, book it in the other direction.

In Cherokee folklore, there are a few explanations for the fearsome cat. One details a woman who wanted to take down the evil spirit Ew'ah, known as the Spirit of Madness. She ended up defeating the spirit while equipped with the spirit of the mountain cat, then becoming the tribe's Spirit-Talker and Home-Protector.

Another legend claims it came as a punishment for a woman who spied on a sacred ceremony by hiding beneath the pelt of a mountain lion. Similarly in Appalachia, the legend of the Wampus Cat is portrayed as the "catlike embodiment of a cursed woman who was punished for her disobedience or involvement in witchcraft."

Eyewitnesses have multiple different claims for its appearance, ranging from a cross between a cat and a human with elongated claws and fangs to a creature that has six legs and is more of a half-cat, half-dog hybrid.

Sightings of the cryptid have been sporadic, usually happening deep within forests or in remote areas.

Mahamba

Seen any colossal crocs in the waterways lately?

The Mahamba, also known simply as a giant crocodile, resembles a regular crocodile but is twice the size and more deadly. While a crocodile taps out at 20 feet, the Mahamba is roughly 50 to 60 feet and is said to have a taste for human flesh as a snack.

While it originally hails from the Democratic Republic of Congo, that doesn't stop the "Monster Crocodile" headlines from popping up around Florida. Sighting appears every once in a while, highlighting a huge reptile hanging out in our lakes, ponds and even pools.

Are there any abandoned places in Florida? These TikToks tell tales of Florida cryptids, haunts and ghost towns

In this TikTok, creator @strangeology talks about the legend of the Florida skunk ape, from where it’s said to have been spotted throughout the years, to what it looks and smells like.

A TikTok account that posts creepy stories and legends, @xborderlorex, has a video on the origin story of the Florida wampus cat.

But if you’d rather see a forgotten piece of history rather than chase a legend, videos from Florida TikTok account @abandonedfl might be more your speed. This account has a library of video tours through dying or sparsely populated towns, abandoned towns and ghost towns throughout the state.

In 1854, Alachua County decided to move its county chair to Gainesville, Florida. The building where the decision took place, an old waterworks facility, supplied the entire city of Gainesville with water until 1913.

The building is now dilapidated and said to be haunted. This TikTok takes you on a walk around the grounds of the building while telling its history.

In Taylor County, in Florida’s Big Bend region, there is an abandoned luxury hotel that once bottled and sold the sulfuric water that still bubbles up from springs on the property and was said to have had healing powers.

This @abandonedfl video takes you on a tour of the grounds of the abandoned Hampton Springs Hotel, which opened in 1908 and burned down in 1954.

Looking for something more haunting? TikTok creator @swamp_witch_ is a Florida native who talks about all things macabre, supernatural and haunting.

The swamp witch’s page has a playlist of 32 videos on spooky stories from the Sunshine State, like this video on the hauntings of the Key West Cemetery.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida cryptids: What know about the Skunk Ape, Wampus Cat and more