A Fearsome Critter To Behold: The Teakettler
The Teakettler is a Fearsome Critter that made its home in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Lumberjacks described the critter as looking like a small, stubby legged dog that had the ears of a cat. It always chose to walk backwards and steam poured out from its mouth. It is because of the steam that the only sound the critter could make was like that of a boiling teakettle, and that is also how the critter got its name.
The Teakettler is known for being extremely shy and elusive, only a few lumberjacks were ever able to see one. But they always knew a Teakettler was nearby if they heard the sound of a boiling kettle coming from within the woods while they were busy working.
“In early lumberjack folklore, fearsome critters were mythical beasts that were said to inhabit the frontier wilderness of North America. The critters were a part of lumberjack stories told during downtime and were often used to welcome and haze newcomers to the camp. Lumberjacks who would go from camp to camp would bring their entertaining stories with them and they would slowly spread as tall tales across America.”
- The Pine Barrens Institute
*Image Credit: http://www.brianrwilliams.com/drawings.html#fearsomecritters
