The Death Crawler: Giant Killer Centipedes of the Amazon

 Scolopendra gigantea, or the Amazonian Giant Centipede; isn't the only deadliest Scolopendra living in South America. The Death Crawler (named after it's deadly reputation) is a large, venomous centipede that is considered to be the most feared arthropod in the Amazon. Death Crawlers can reach up to three feet by adulthood but, there are some cases in which the insect can grow up to five or six feet. They're both silent, and quick, which in the field of Monstrology; is a deadly combination, and are capable of stalking their prey from almost anywhere in their habitat (includes the canopy, underneath the earth in tunnels, and even over top water). Prey varies on size but, the arthropod has been reported to kill, and consume monkeys, caiman, capybara, and even humans. Death Crawlers have a few ways to attack like for example, if the prey is a caiman in the water; the large centipede would silently approach it's prey before constantly biting and wrapping it's body around the surprised meal. Death Crawlers, like all centipedes; have the ability to bite more than once which releases more venom into the poor creature attacked. They're also known (like in the example mentioned above) to wrap their bodies constantly around their prey in order to deliver more effective bites. This will only happen if the animal is smaller than its prey or the animal needs to quickly overpower it's prey to prevent escape.

Death Crawler venom, like their smaller cousins; is five times the dosage to help bring down larger prey. Symptoms of a Death Crawler bite vary upon each individual but, they usually start with severe pain, chills, weakness, fever, and finally death. Death Crawlers are creatures which must be totally respected while travelling through their territories. These large centipedes are known to be extremely aggressive and must not be taken as a joke because these creatures will attack, kill, and even consume you. If a Death Crawler crosses your path; do not run because they can easily catch up to you, and never provoke it to attack. Holding still and not making any noise will definately save your life. Anti-venom, if bitten; is possible but, must get ahold of it within a few hours before death depending on how many times the centipede has bitten you. Killing a Death Crawler is quite easy but, setting on fire is usually the best way to exterminate one. Having one as a pet isn't the best idea but, is possible.

Handling a Death Crawler (shown above) is never a bright idea due to their large size, strength, quickness, and ofcourse it's fatal venom.

The Rake: Misidentified Ghouls or Something Else?

Ghouls are one of the world's most dangerous and common undead predators ever to walk the Earth, alongside the zombie and vampire species. Ghouls first originated from the Middle East before spreading to the rest of the world in different shapes and forms. The Ghoul family tree consists of four species: the shape-shifting Ghoul that scurries along graveyards/deserts searching for prey, the Forest Ghoul which lives mainly in the canopy, the Ghast which is like a 'super-ghoul', and the Invunche; which are large deformed and vicious ghouls found in Chile. Now there may be another species out there, hiding within the deepest, darkest parts of North America's woods. The Rake is a pale, ghoul-like creature with long, sharp claws (hence the name due to the claw's appearance to be quite similar toward the gardening tool of the same name) and nothing really is known about these creatures. The only things that are known by Monstrologists is that it's appearance is almost similar toward the Forest Ghoul (which is sometimes mistaken for) from a distance until the claws come into view. The Rake is also very dangerous, predatory, and are silent as they stalk their prey. Rakes only attack when their prey is unaware of their presences (usually as it's victim is asleep) before goring and tearing the poor creature. It is theorized by Monstrologists that the Rake, like the Phase Spider, can 'teleport' itself into another dimension to allow the creature to easily stalk and hide form their prey before committing the final blow. Killing a Rake is unknown but, it is logical if someone can get a clean shot before it escapes out of sight and out of our own plane.

Above is an illustration of a Rake, which is almost human-like; that makes this creature extremely unpredictable and frightning.

The Joystealer: Elf-like Seducers

The Joystealer is an elf-like creature whom feeds off emotions from their victims and are very seductive into doing so. Joystealers are elf-like in appearance but, have extremely pale skin (sometimes with a purplish tint) with long hair, and seem androgynous at first glance. The only way to tell between these creatures and elves are their gem-like, pupil-less eyes which seems to "hypnotize" their unexpected prey. Mixing traits with psychic vampires (the way they feed), elves (appearance), and even succubi (seductive abilities); this is a species that nobody wants to confront. Their favorite prey are humans and elves whom don't see through their tricks and seductive techniques. Joystealers are usually found in urban areas (especially near waterfronts and slums) where shelter, food, and a water source is provided for them. Prostitution is the most common way both genders seem to hunt by luring both men and/or women of both races into traps. Being solitary hunters, Joystealers don't occasionally join together unless it's an orgy-type party. There are many ways on killing a Joystealer such as shooting, setting on fire, brutally beating, etc... but, the most effective way is starving it to death. Saying 'no' and ignoring the predator's advances is the most common way to get rid of a Joystealer due to the creature's nature. Another effective way is staying away from their hunting grounds with a crowd of people. Joystealers, though persistent; tend to stay out of sight during the day and crowded areas.

Joystealers (above) are related to fey folk such as fairies, pixies, and elves.

The Revenant: The 'Lesser Zombie'

The zombie is probably one of the world's most feared species of monsters. The idea of an infected, cannibalistic individual who spreads a deadly plague across a country or even the world can send the bravest person a chill running up their spine. The Revenant, unlike their more evolved cousins; is an example of this idea. The Revenant is an animated corpse whom returns from the grave after their body is left unburied, not allowing the soul to finally rest in peace. Revenants are known as 'lesser zombies' due to their nature of mainly spreading diseases and terrorizing the living rather than feeding on them. Though they do consume mostly human blood, the Revenant usually chooses their prey due to an act of revenge or a memorable response (which is unlike zombies whom just consume anything alive). Though they are considered to be zombies, they're mainly similar toward vampires in their primal behavior and strategies on hunting. Revenants don't share any spacial abilities with vampires such as their speed and strength but, they do share the thirst for human or animal blood. Revenants can infect people by their saliva, or their decaying body, which, like the zombie virus or the Black Death; can quickly take over an entire town or city. The only way to kill a Revenant is by chopping off the head, stabbing it in the heart, and setting the corpse on fire to prevent further decomposing.    

Revenants and zombies (pictured above) are actually quite different. The Revenat, if you havn't known; 'slumbers' during the day as a lifeless corpse while as for the zombie, it wonders endlessly for food. Unlike vampires though, Revenants are immune to sunlight which gives their 'sleeping' bodies extra protection except for the decaying flesh which can spread numerous diseases including the Revenant Virus.

The Inferno Spider: The Spider Truly from Hell

Hell, like any other ecosystem, is vastly filled with different species including the most common demons and devils. Whenever anybody thinks of the word, people generally think of a place where human souls are punished due to their sinfulness and they're right. Hell is an afterlife where the souls of humans go if they breaks certain rules such as murdering another or being an atheist (according to Christianity) to pay for their misdeeds. The Inferno Spider is an arachnid native only to this particular afterlife but, has the ability to travel into the mortal world by catching rides on incoming demons or demonic spirits. In Hell, the Inferno Spider can reach to about eight feet in diameter by adulthood while in our world they can reach up to the size of a tarantula. They can create complex webs that are known to burn the flesh of anything living, except for demons. Inferno Spiders, on both 'dimensions', are solitary hunters who target the weak as a food source. They are ambush predators and tend to use magma-like venom to paralyze their prey. For demons, this venom can easily paralyze them for enough time to allow the large arachnid to feed, however for humans, the venom tends to turn their veins into liquid lava which kills them if untreated. Anti-venom is possible if frozen or froze to the point of become injectable only for human use. Demons on the other hand, can become immune after the paralyzing effects wear off.

Inferno Spiders, like said above, are solitary animals until mating season. During mating season, both males and females fall into a strange, ritualistic  dance once in courtship. This dance can happen from hours to days until their mating ritual is over. Unlike most animals whom lay either eggs or have live birth, both the male and female explode after colliding with each other at the end. After the fiery explosion, eggs and sperm generate young Inferno Spiders within a few seconds creating instant birth. Predators, such as  fire elemental Salamanders, wait until the explosion to feed. In the mortal world, this is a dangerous deal after mating season has began which can result in some body's home to burn down. Like said in the first paragraph, Inferno Spiders catch rides from demons or evil spirits into our world to either obtain prey or create a new breeding population. The only way to get rid of Inferno Spiders is by exorcisms made for their species or are eaten by a fire elemental such as the Salamander mentioned above.

Inferno Spider (shown above) infestations can cause serious problems in our world and must be dealt with before mating begins unless, you don't mind having your house burn to the ground. The two common ways on knowning there is one around is by a sulfuric smell or strange burning from air vents, walls, or unusual places throughout the house.  

The Rock Nest Monster: Exclusive Testudines

A species of Testudine (tortoises and turtles), the Rock Nest Monster is the most exclusive creature ever to roam America. Like its name, this exclusive creature lays porcelain-like eggs which are predator proof and cannot be x-rayed. Rock Nest Monsters are unknown to Monstrologists due to their mysterious nature. No evidence, except for their eggs, have ever proven the creature's behavioral patterns. Due to some evidence and theories, Monstrologists believe that the Rock Nest Monster is an aquatic herbivore and mainly spends its time submerged underwater. Mainly found around the Eno River of North Carolina, evidence had shown that this creature has been found in most of the southern states. Nesting, the largest piece of evidence, shows about twenty eggs surrounded by arranged rocks. The eggs are left to the elements, same as Testudines, and range from mottled brown to light green in color. Its known that the Rock Nest Monster reuses the same rock pile to lay its eggs, making this  a possible means of competition during mating season(s). There is evidence to support that this creature also has a distant cousin living in France called the Rock Less Monster, which is too a mysterious creature.

Above: a photograph of a Rock Nest Monster's nesting site with eggs.

The Suwannee Penguin: Modern Day Cousin of the Extinct Palaeeudyptines

Palaeeudyptines were once the largest species of penguins ever to have existed until extinction took hold of these amazing creatures. Afterwards, the family was lost forever until in 1948, at Florida's Clearwater Beach; strange foot prints were found in the sand. The prints were a mystery until, later that year, a large bird was sighted waddling alongside the beach. This mystery bird stood taller than any human (approx. fifteen feet tall from a distance) and looked similar in appearance toward a penguin. The Suwannee Penguin (named after the same river in Florida) is a modern day cousin of the giant penguins of the far Pacific. These creatures are only found off the coast of North Carolina to the Gulf of Mexico. They're also known to travel inland up large river systems into swamps, marshes, bogs, and even the everglades to mate and lay a single egg. Though they look frightening due to their size, Suwannee Penguins are harmless toward humans and tend to be shy toward them. They'll only attack if somebody frightens or threatens them. Their food sources is a wide variety from fish to aquatic mammals (muskrats) to the fearsome alligator. Predators vary depending on the carnivore's size such as giant alligators or the thought-to-be-extinct Megalodon. Hunting, trapping, and poaching of this rare bird is illegal thanks to the Suwannee Penguin Protection Act (passed in the southern states in the 1950's by Floridian Monstrologists) to help protect this endangered creature from human contact. Also, as a safety measure, Monstrologists created the cover-up called the 'Giant Penguin Hoax' to keep humans from chasing these giant birds just in case the act is dropped (which it had done in the 60's until the early 90's).

The Palaeeudyptines (such as the Kairuku Penguin, shown above) were mainly found in areas such as New Zealand, Antarctica, and even Australia. The Suwannee Penguins are only found in the United States/Mexico and don't enjoy the cold like their modern day cousins.  

The Horses of Diomedes: Man-Eating Horses of the Black Sea

Diomedes' Horses are one of the world's most dangerous Equidaes (horses, donkeys, and zebras) due to their unnatural behavior to consume flesh from either animals or humans who come into contact. First originated in Southern countries nearby the Black Sea starting at Romania throughout Northern Turkey, the horses were accidentally brought to Greece by merchants trying to sell the horses to farmers. Unfortunately, a few escaped and created a small population within the country. In appearance, the horses vary between sexes with colors ranging from white to black. Males, smaller, are less aggressive and are omnivorous while the females, larger, are more aggressive and are carnivorous. Diomedes' Horses (unlike domestic and wild horses) have sharp, jagged teeth used for ripping food from their victims except for males, which have only K-9s and grinding teeth due to their omnivorous lifestyle. In the wild, females are usually in charge of a herd and are violent toward each other during mating season in which gender roles switch (males are picked by the females instead of the opposite of other animals). Domestication is still possible, but remember to always have in mind that even though females tend to be less aggressive in captivity, they still have a carnivore's thirst for blood.

Diomedes' Horses (shown above) were once part of the twelve labors of Hercules in which he binded their mouths shut with chains. This method is still used today whenever someone wants to 'break-in' the horses for domestication.