The Migrating Mothman

Photo Courtesy of Syfy

Size: 6-10 ft

Wingspan: 10+ ft

Eye Color: Red, Yellow, Orange, and Green Reported

Been compared to an owl or a bat

Over 7 feet tall, stark black, leathery skin, feathers, fur, and piercing red eyes. This is the devilish description of the North American paranormal phenomenon known as the Mothman. Some believe that all they saw was perhaps a large owl or a bat, but some say it’s something more.

Origins:

In the small, quaint town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, a young couple was taking a late-night drive. What they thought would be a pleasant evening quickly turned terrifying. A large creature with a 10-foot wingspan emerged from the shadows of the night and chased the young couple’s car at speeds up to 100 mph. From that point on, this mysterious, shadowy figure showed its horrific face to many others. Snatching beloved pets from yards, terrifying the masses, and becoming equally as popular as sightings of UFOs.

Some believed the creature was an omen of sorts. That sightings of it foretold of a horrific tragedy to come. Why? Approximately one year after the first sighting of this creature, the Silver Bridge connecting West Virginia and Ohio collapsed. A small fracture on the bridge sent 31 vehicles into the nearly freezing water of the Ohio River. Christmas shoppers, people on the commute to work, tractor trailers, all submerged into the depths. Sending 64 poor souls into the river and only 18 made it out alive.

After this horrific tragedy, the mysterious figure of the mothman vanished along with the bridge. Almost as if he had given his warning and had nothing left to offer the people of this small town. But that begs the question. Where did this mysterious figure go?

Mothman on the Move :

In 2011 he resurfaced. But not in the place you’d expect.

The city of Chicago has had an increase in sighting since 2011.Over 400 miles from its original sightings in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. In 2017 there were so many as 21 reported sightings of the creature. Though, notably, no extremely tragic events have followed his appearance in the big city.

The only thing that people have taken note about his appearance is that most of the sightings have happened closer to bodies of water. I suppose this would make sense considering that his place of origin was right along the Ohio River. Perhaps he had just followed the river upstream to make a new home after the events at Silver Bridge.

A Social Moth Phenomenon:

Photo Courtesy of Mothman Festival Website

His popularity has not been nearly as popular in his new place of residence. However, Point Pleasant has been thriving on the culture the creature has brought. If you were to visit this small town, you’ll find not only a Mothman Museum with countless records of supposed sightings, but a restaurant and a large statue in his honor.

And come September, if you find yourself in town, you’ll be treated to a festival. Guest speakers talking about his existence, photo ops at his beloved statue, and bus tours taking you to the places where he was seen.

Personally, I believe there are some things that have yet to be explained by science. That more lies beneath the surface that we have yet to see. But I believe these sightings have given us here in the cryptid their first glimpse into the unknown world in the shadows.

What do you think? Is the Mothman real? Is he a bad omen or was he just in the wrong place at the wrong time? Or is he just a bad dream?

Sources:

• https://www.mothmanmuseum.com/

• https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-chicago-mothman-st-0730-20170728-story.html

• https://www.npr.org/local/309/2019/10/28/773566283/the-case-of-the-chicago-mothman

• https://www.google.com/search?q=mothman+sightings&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS915US915&oq=mothman+sightings+++&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5j0i395l2.3422j1j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

• https://wchstv.com/news/local/man-photographs-creature-that-resembles-legendary-mothman-of-point-pleasant

• https://u.osu.edu/vanzandt/2019/02/11/mothman-a-west-virginia-folklore/

• https://timeline.com/the-deadliest-bridge-disaster-in-us-history-was-caused-by-a-tiny-crack-just-3-millimeters-deep-ca5404c4dffa