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There are creatures in the world that are legend or myths, they are referred to cryptids. Cryptids are animals or plants not recognized officially by the majority of the scientific community. Although there are scientists who do try to discover and study these creatures, their study is called Cryptozoology.
There are many theories about why cryptids exist. Some are that they are extinct creatures, or some form of evolutionary change to a current existing animal. Others state that cryptids are an illusion, a manifestation of a psychological need that our minds create.
Whatever the reason for the existence of these cryptids, there are many sittings of them throughout the world. The most famous of these are the Loch Ness Monster, Abominable Snowman and Bigfoot. Today, I am going to discuss a cryptid from the Swiss Alps: the Tazlewurm.
I set my novel, LEGEND OF THE MYSTIC KNIGHTS, in Switzerland. This location was perfect to show the magnificence of the Swiss Alps and the beauty of the valleys they surround.
As many of you know the premise of my novel. LEGEND OF THE MYSTIC KNIGHTS, is that the world has been taken over by monsters. Since my novel is also set in Switzerland, it was natural to include the Tazlewurm.
I researched the history of this creature and tried to describe it accurately in my novel. The following excerpt is from, LEGEND OF THE MYSTIC KNIGHTS:
"William could clearly see the creature that was attacking him now. It was about four feet long with a cat shaped head and ears, and had legs at the front with sharp claws. There were no legs at the back attached to its snakelike body, which twisted and moved around like a serpent. The creature’s rear would propel itself by slithering like a snake, while the claws on its front legs pulled it forward."
There are many reports throughout history of the Tazlewurm, the first documented sitting of this creature was in 1779. A man named Hans Fuchs saw this creature; he died from this encounter with the monster, but not before describing it to officials of the nearby town.
The sittings of the creature continued, even into this century. In 2009, many reports about this creature came from an area in Italy near the border of Switzerland. Officials stated these sittings were nothing more than people seeing “monitor lizards” which were pets and had escaped from their masters. No former monitor lizard pet was ever found in this area.
Whatever the creature is, a figment of the imagination, misidentification of a known animal, or even a previously thought extinct relic of an age gone by, this creature is now part of the Swiss legend of the Alps; I was happy to include this cryptid in my novel.
Am really grateful I didn't know about all the monsters in Switzerland when I was skiing there as a child. Sometimes I was left alone in the hotel room when my parents were at black tie events. I would have rung for the maid all the time if I had known about Tazlewurm. Needless to say my parents social life would have been disrupted on a continuous basis:-)
ReplyDeleteI love the peek inside your book you gave us with the description of the Cryptid Tazlewurm. We're headed to Italy this year and I hope those 2009 reports of this creature being there prove to be false.
ReplyDeleteTo paraphrase the line from “Night of the Living Dead:” “They’re coming for you Patricia”
ReplyDeleteYou're nice! ;-)
DeleteI'm a bit afraid of monsters. Maybe a part of me believes that they really do exist! I sure hope there isn't a Cryptid Tazlewurm. in my future! Other than in your book, of course:)
ReplyDeleteWow - this is SO interesting. I have never heard of the term cryptids, though I can totally see there being a study of all these wild and wonderful creatures. fantastic that you have chosen such a specific one. It makes the whole thing more believable to your readers too.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I went to Scotland years ago. We went to Loch Ness and my husband, who back then was just my friend (long story) was obsessed with finding the Loch Ness monster. We of course heard not a peep out of him, but the next day on the news, there was a Loch Ness monster sighting. He was so broken hearted that he missed it by a day. I'm going to pass along your book info to him as this is right up his alley.
ReplyDeleteWilliam, the more I read your posts about the contents of your book, I am absolutely amazed at the amount of research you've done. I'm an avid reader but I've never heard of cryptids or the Tazlewurm Fabulous stuff you're exposing us to.
ReplyDeleteThe tazlewurm looks a little like a komodo dragon with the head of a cat.Better to be KO'd by the poison breath than to grapple with these any further.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating creature you've uncovered from the annals of legendary history! I hope you had fun with him, and may he serve your story well.
ReplyDeleteI'd not heard of the Tazlewurm before. You mention a number of well-known cryptids in your post. I think it is interesting how one can find many more lesser-known ones when you travel to other places.
ReplyDeleteRight after reading this post, I went to Google and did a search for "tazlewurm recipes"; disappointingly, not a single hit came up. However, I suspect that tazlewurms taste just like chicken.
ReplyDeleteCryptids are interesting. I've read thousands of stories about Nessie and Big Foot. I would love to know if they are actually real or not.
ReplyDeleteIn some sense, I hope we never find out. If they are found to exist, then they become another rare animal that will be studied and classified by scientists. If they are fake; then they are nothing but figments of our imagination. I like the fact that they are in the grey area in between. Here they give the world back its mystery and fantasy that has gotten lost in our technology and science.
ReplyDeleteInteresting! I hope to NOT be the lucky person who eventually discovers a real tazelwurm!
ReplyDeleteIf I ever go back for a vacation in Switzerland, I'll be on the alert for Tazlewurm. Interesting how such beings (or non-beings) are found in so many locations.
ReplyDeleteInteresting how many countries have such beings - or non-beings. If I ever travel to Switzerland, I'll be on the lookout for Tazlewurm!
ReplyDeleteWhy don't make or turn your novel into a movie?
ReplyDeleteI really do not have any say in what movies they make. Maybe if my novel sold better, that would get their attention.
DeleteIt is nice to know about many unknowns through your posts. Tazlewurm seems scary creature, If it do not exit or existed, how someone can think about it... many be it was a phase of evolution.
ReplyDeleteWell, I learned something new today -- cryptids and tazlewurm. These mythic creatures are perfect for novelists -- especially if you write horror books. That's not my genre because I can't get beyond suspension of disbelief.
ReplyDeleteCool Swiss monster! It does look like a cat/snake/lizard mix. Looks like something I would have conjured up in my mind as the monster hiding under my bed when I was little. Yikes!
ReplyDeleteThe picture is something I created.
DeleteIn couple weeks, my blog will be about how to do illustrations, without any talent or money.