Hodag (Hoax)
Field Report
The Hodag is a cryptid from Rhinelander, Wisconsin, born from a deliberate 19th-century hoax that quickly grew into a beloved local mascot. Originally described by prankster Eugene Shepard as a monstrous beast with horns, tusks, and a row of spines along its back, the creature was even “captured” in staged photographs, complete with dubious taxidermy. While quickly debunked, the Hodag’s legend refused to die, evolving into a symbol of playful folklore embraced by the community through festivals, sculptures, and sports team names. Unlike many cryptids rooted in fear, the Hodag highlights the joy of tall tales—how communities sometimes knowingly adopt fiction to forge a unique cultural identity, turning local landscapes into stages for shared storytelling.
Classification
Type:Other
Location:United States, Wisconsin, Rhinelander
Traits:Horned, lizard-bodied, spiny back, large mouth, exaggerated grin
Threat Assessment
Danger Level: 1
First Reported: 1893
Sightings: 15
Reveal Full Dossier
Behavioral Patterns
It was displayed in fairs where it sat unnaturally still, eyes wide. Even when poked, it remained rigid, behaving more like an elaborate prop than a beast.
Folklore & Origins
Wisconsin lumberjacks jokingly told newcomers that this spined beast punished lazy workers.
Media Documentation
Covered widely by Wisconsin newspapers in the late 1800s as a known sideshow hoax. Still celebrated in local festivals and tourism promotions. Never framed seriously outside playful folklore.
Hoax Analysis
Hodag (Hoax) was explicitly created as a hoax in the late 19th century by a Wisconsin man, making it one of the most famous fabricated cryptids.