The International Guide to the Mythological

Origin: Finnish Mythology  Habitat: Woods and forests Behavior: Moderate Description: A large woodland spirit of a bear.  Facts:  Commonly referred to as 'The King of the Forest' According to Finnish mythology, Otso was born on the shoulders of Otava, in the regions of the sun and moon, and ‘nursed by a goddess of the woodlands in a cradle swung by bands of gold between the bending branches of budding fir-trees.’  His nurse would not give him teeth and claws until he had promised never to engage in bloody strife , or deeds of violence. Otso, however, does not always keep his pledge , and accordingly the hunters of Finland find it comparatively easy to reconcile their consciences to his destruction.  Otso is called in the runes by many endearing titles as ‘The Honey-Eater’, ‘Golden Light-Foot’, ‘The Forest-Apple’, ‘Honey-Paw of the Mountains’, ‘The Pride of the Thicket’, and ‘The Fur-robed Forest-Friend’.  

Origin: Native American Mythology Habitat: Southeast Woodlands, Seminole, and Oklahoma Behavior: Harmless Description: A small dwarf with a sack. Facts: The Fastachee (or "Little Giver") likes to  provide acorns and medicine to people.

Origin: American Colonial Mythology Habitat: Forests, Woods, Behavior: Aggressive Description: Due to its nature, it has never been seen before. Some have reported it as furry and tall.  Facts: The Hidebehind is said to prey upon humans that wander the woods at night , and was credited for the disappearances of early colonial loggers when they failed to return to camp.  As its name suggests, the Hidebehind is noted for its ability to conceal itself. When an observer attempts to look directly at it, the creature can suck in and morph its body to  hides again behind an object of any shape or the observer and therefore can’t be directly seen.  The Hidebehind uses this ability to stalk human prey without being observed and to attack without warning. Once the person is killed, the Hidebehind drags the person back to their lair to be eaten. The Hidebehind enjoys eating intestines specifically. 

Origin: German Mythology  Habitat: Alpine forests of Bavaria in Germany Behavior: Moderate Description:  It has a body comprising various animal parts — generally wings, antlers, tails and fangs, all attached to the body of a small mammal.  The most widespread description portrays the Wolpertinger as having the head of a rabbit, the body of a squirrel, the antlers of a deer, and the wings and occasionally the legs of a pheasant. Facts: They are often characterised as being mischievous.

Origin: Philippine Mythology Habitat: Mountains, Forests Behavior: Moderate Description:  It is a tall, bony humanoid creature with the head and hooves of a horse and disproportionately long limbs, to the point that its knees reach above its head when it squats down. Facts:  The form of the Tikbalang traces back 4000 years, with roots in Hinduism.  Tikbalangs scare travelers, lead them astray and play tricks on them such that the travelers keep on returning to an arbitrary path no matter how far they go or turn. This is counteracted by wearing one's shirt inside out. Another countermeasure is to ask permission out loud to pass by or, not to produce too much noise while in the woods in order not to offend or disturb the tikbalang.  A superstition popular with the Tagalog of Rizal Province is that Tikbalangs are benevolent guardians of elemental kingdoms. They are usually found standing at the foot of large trees looking arou...

Origin: South American Mythology Habitat: Mountains, Jungles, Woods, Forests Behavior: Aggressive Description:  They can take on the appearance of a beautiful woman but when changing into their true form, the most notable feature is their one leg terminating into a bovine-like hoof . They is described as possessing one breast, bulging eyes, catlike fangs, a hooked nose, big lips, and tangled hair.  Facts: Deriving from vampire mythology, the Parasola or "One foot" is a female monster from the jungle who lures men away from their companions and sucks the blood from her victims .  They can transform into other animals,  materializing as a large black dog or cow.  They often interferes with work by blocking shortcuts through jungles, disorienting hunters, and throwing hunting dogs off the scent of their game.  They is  usually regarded as protective of nature and the forest animals and unforgiving when humans enter their doma...