The Bandersnatch: The Frumious Monster

The Bandersnatch is a species of large, carnivorous mammals that are only found in a few regions of Europe which mainly includes the United Kingdom and Germany. In appearance, the Bandersnatch looks something like between a bulldog and a "monster". With its bulldog-like face with rows of razor sharp teeth, the Bandersnatch can quickly rip apart prey without even breaking a sweat. Like a shark, the Bandersnatch can lose and regrow teeth without even noticing. The creature is lightly greyed in color and has black spots all over its body. The Bandersnatch is covered with long hair with a long, furry tail. Bandersnatches are both incredibly strong and unnaturally fast which gives the creature an upper edge while hunting down large prey. The Bandersnatch even has an extended neck which allows the creature, while running, to grab hold onto its prey (mainly deer or boar) without having to tackle its victim. The Bandersnatch produces a foul odor from its body which would repel any predators from attacking it and can automatically "turn off" the odor while hunting. They live throughout the winter thanks to their long fur and can survive without food for almost a week if they successfully kill a large enough prey (like for example a dragon). Bandersnatches are naturally aggressive toward other animals/humans in the wild but, in captivity; they can become the most loyal of friends and are totally harmless toward their masters. Hunting a Bandersnatch takes dedication, patience, and intelligence with a few hints of craziness.

The Bandersnatch (shown above) is one of the world's most dangerous and exclusive creatures on the planet.

The Strong Toad: Chile’s Invulnerable Toad

The Strong Toad is a very unique species of magical amphibians that are only native to Chile. In appearance, the creature looks like a normal horned toad except for a turtle-like shell on its back. The Strong Toad has the power of invulnerability, which allows the creature to withstand most harm and can actually glow-in-the-dark thanks to its unnatural skin. Strangely, one may think that the invulnerability is the creature's main defense mechanism. In reality, the Strong Toad's eyes actually have the ability to hypnotize any other life form away or toward the creature. Humans and predators are usually repelled but, insects or small mammals like mice are attracted toward the animal. Staring down either a predator or prey allows the Strong Toad to wisely choose which animal can get close enough to it, and if all else fails; the invulnerability protects the animal from any potential harm. Strong Toads are known to be great pets (only by choosing their owners) and are known to be great "guard dogs" due to their abilities. Though if a person ever wanted to kill a Strong Toad, fire is the most effective away due to the creature's amphibious nature but, just remember to burn it thoroughly until its reduced to cinders. Strong Toads are generally harmless but, are very picky on what or who they want to meet.

Over a century, Monstrologists have argued if the Strong Toad (illustrated above) is actually related to amphibians or reptiles. Until only recently, it has been confirmed that the animal is actually an amphibian thanks to recent technology.

The Dōmo-kōmo: The Japanese Species of Ettin

The Dōmo-kōmo is a human sized species of Ettin (two headed Giants) that live around Japanese towns or cities in the forest filled mountains. Rarely appearing in urban areas, the Dōmo-kōmo will only travel into populated areas if their prey sources are running low or if an environmental threat is currently occurring. Unlike most species of Giant, the  Dōmo-kōmo is carnivorous and will consume humans if a chance arrives. Humans, though not their normal meal, can fall victim with this very intelligent creature. Intelligence varies amongst individuals and will determine if the creature is a threat or harmless. Rodents, birds, other small mammals, most reptiles, and children can be easily killed by a large enough specimen (ranging between 7.5 to 8 feet tall). The Dōmo-kōmo are known to use either brute strength or murderous tools such as knives or axes to successfully kill their prey. Like Ettins, each head controls one set of the body: the left head controls the left side and the same with the right. Usually the right head is more of a leader for the left head to follow but, the Dōmo-kōmo differs because most individuals seem to be equally the same giving this species a greater edge on survival. Killing a Dōmo-kōmo varies but, killing at least one of the heads will either stun the creature or will cause the remaining head to control the entire body which would cause the creature to tire quicker.

The Dōmo-kōmo (illustrated above) were once to believed to be Oni (Japanese "Demon" Ogres) which later turned out to be related to Ettins, which are only found in isolated areas in Europe.

The Howler Wasp: Deadly but, Practical

An 'aberration' is a strange beast that had adapted to any environment in a more bizarre and different way then other creatures. The Howler Wasp is an example of what an aberration is and considered to be one of the dangerous. Half-primate; half-insect, the Howler Wasp is an social animal and are known to hunt in swarms. Being extremely aggressive and hostile to other creatures, the Howler Wasp is a monster that shouldn't be encountered (including the most experienced). They're known to live in large nests that are made with any surrounding materials such as dry leaves, rocks, trash, and even the bones/skin from their victims. The Howler Wasp is part of a 'hive mind' community, which mainly means that the queen of the nest controls all of the workers which surround her making them mere clones of different sexes. The Queen Howler Wasp is much larger than all the workers and is about the size of a small pick-up truck. The drones (or workers) can grow up to the size of a medium sized dog. Life spans for the workers can only last up to six months but, the Queen can last for years.  Howler Wasps are carnivorous and will hunt down any living organism that happens to come into contact of their nest. Usually, a single Howler Wasp will travel up to ten miles to search for a large source of food.

On the attack, the Howler Wasp's venom can easily paralyze a human within seconds, leaving them defenseless against other attacks. Howler Wasps either attack with their stingers, the scythe-like arms, or their powerful jaws with sharp teeth. If a Howler Wasp is wounded, the creature indistinctly sprays their attacker with a pheromone which signal others to attack. Water is the only way to wash away the pheromones. There are only a few of natural enemies of the Howler Wasp which mainly includes giant species of arachnids. They're known to survive in almost any habitat except for in extreme cold temperatures. Howler Wasps are mainly found in warm climates such as rain forests, temperate forests, and even deserts (mainly in the Middle East). The best method on killing a Howler Wasp colony is the use of fire or quickly exterminate the Queen.

Once a Howler Wasp's nest (shown above) grows too large, experienced exterminators must be called in before the colony gets too large to contain for both human, animal, and even environmental safety.  

The Forest Ghoul: Hiding in the Canopy

The Forest Ghoul is a species of ghoul that lives in the canopy of remote North American forests throughout the country. This species is mainly nocturnal and will hide out of view during the daytime hours. In appearance, the Forest Ghoul is slender and more equipped for climbing tall trees with their long, bony hands with sharp claws used for digging into the bark to successfully get a grip. Unlike the common Ghoul (that are known to shape-shift and are mainly found in graveyards eating the dead), the Forest Ghoul hunts for prey ranging from small rodents to deer on the ground at night. Humans aren't their favorite prey but, they will attack if threatened. Forest Ghouls are quite shy creatures but, can be dangerous if somebody threatens their homes (which are mainly inside trees). Unlike ghouls, this species doesn't have the ability to transform a human into their own species (see 'Ghoul Fever' in "Seven Common Diseases and Illnesses in the World of Monstrology") because the Forest Ghouls can reproduce sexually with their own members. Forest Ghoul infestations are possible and the most reasonable way to get rid of them is to cut off their food supply, in which the ghouls would simply move to another location. If your the violent type, exterminate them until they leave but, don't be surprise if they as well become violent with you. In reality, Forest Ghouls are quite harmless if left alone or are respected correctly.

This is a photograph (shown above) of a Forest Ghoul hunting on the ground for food. This is a rare photograph as well because next to being shy, they're exclusive creatures and are rarely seen.

The Ash Rat: An Ashwinder’s Favorite Snack

The element of fire is a destructive forced used by both humans and monsters to gain what they need to overcome challenges. Dragons use this element to kill predators,and humans, the dangerous of all monsters; use it to also exterminate any unwanted species. The Ash Rat is a species of fire-dwelling rodents that spread fires across forests, cities, and other environments that cause harm to societies and communities. Like the mythical Salamander, the Ash Rat nourishes off of the element of fire and the heat they produce, depending on how much temperature the creature has gathered, can ignite anything combustible. In appearance, the Ash Rat can come in three main colors of black, gray, or brown (indicating the amount of flame the creature had absorbed with brown being the healthiest and black the opposite). Ash Rats have orange/red eyes with yellow-colored, over-sized front teeth. Though these features can be visible, the rest of the body cannot due to the creature's ability to exude a cloud of sooty smoke from its body allowing the Ash Rat to hide in smoke from predators. The Ash Rat can reach up to two feet depending on how much heat is presented in their environment. Only a few predators are capable of consuming the Ash Rat such as predatory Salamanders, some species of dragons, and the Ashwinder, a species of snake that's born from magical flames. Like normal rats and snakes, the Ash Rat and the Ashwinder are mortal enemies. Humans must keep Ash Rat populations to a minimum due to their threat to human/animal safety. Cold is the only way to successfully kill an Ash Rat but, if the body is reintroduced to anything heat source, the rodent can be brought back to life.

The Ash Rat (shown above) can become pets if kept in fireproof cages but, is only recommended for the highly experienced due to their molten lava-like bites which they can inflict on their owners.

The Owlbear: Doesn’t Give a ‘Hoot’

The Owlbear is a weird hybrid creature that's a cross between an owl and a bear. They're only found in remote northwestern forests alongside the Rockies of the United States into Canada. Being carnivorous, the Owlbear will eat anything that happens to cross its path. Reaching up between eight to ten feet in height, the Owlbear can easily overpower any creature it runs into. Their beak and large claw-like talons create heavy damage to whoever disturbs this ferocious creature. The Owlbear only live in large caves, which causes constant struggles with other North American cave-dwelling creatures such as bears and the Giant North American Drop Bear, with their lifelong mates. Mating starts out in the earlier years of an Owlbear's life and after choosing one, they'll stay with each other until one/both dies. Owlbear behavior mainly focuses around aggression and ferocity toward different species but, to other members of the same genus, the Owlbear is friendlier and more social. Hybridization is possible with other Owlbear species alongside with domestication (which is only supported for the most experienced). Owlbear hunting is prohibited in both Canada and North America due to low populations.

There are six main species of Owlbears: the Common (shown above - featured article), the Arctic, the Winged, the Winterclaw, the Pygmy and the Greater alongside with thirty-six different hybrids that are possible if in captivity.

The Peruvian Vipertooth: Bacterial Bite or Truly Venomous?

The Peruvian Vipertooth is a species of dragon that can grow up to fifteen feet in length and only lives in the eastern and northeastern part of Peru. In appearance, the Vipertooth has copper colored skin with a black ridge-markings and short horns upon its head. This species of dragon with hunt for livestock such as goats and cows but, has the taste for human flesh whenever opportunity arrives upon the creature. This species of dragon cannot breathe fire but, makes up with range attacks for stealthy ambushes as this dragon can conceal itself from sight. The Peruvian Vipertooth are known to repopulate very quickly during mating seasons in the summer and must be controlled by exterminating  before human deaths begin to increase. Vipertooth blood, similar to most dragons, is highly poisonous and must be taken care of before it effects the environment and public health.

Monstrologists have argued over the past couple centuries that the Vipertooth has more of a bacterial bite rather than having venom glands linked to fangs. In most Vipertooth attacks, infections are known to happen if a lucky victim escapes the clutches of this species but, afterwards the person dies from an unknown reason. In some attacks, people begin to bloat or flesh begins to be eaten away from an unknown toxin that dissolves most of the body's organs. Dead Vipertooth carcasses don't allow us to simply gain this answer due to its poisonous blood and the fumes that exit the body as it decay that have been proven to be deadly. Thankfully, back in the year of 1999, the answer turned out that the Vipertooth has a mixture of the two due to its age. Young dragons of this species process the venom glands to help the creature protect itself or to hunt while the adults tend to use deadly bacterial saliva to mainly finish off the prey item. Another study also shows that young Peruvian Vipertooth Dragons are more likely to hunt humans due to their agile speed and strength in which the adults mainly focus hunting livestock for easier meals.

The Peruvian Vipertooth (shown above) is a deadly species of dragon and must be respected at all costs. Hunting these dragons are illegal during the other seasons other than summer in which many Monster Hunters, Slayers, and Monstrologists gather to reduce the population for public safety.