Mothman Biology Explained | The Science of the Mothman

[@ThoughtPotato]

Check out the Cryptobiology playlist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZevc4Kkm8x_h9U

[@larale2323]

God da@# YPURE BRILLIANT, BRO!

[@larale2323]

I THINK IM A LITTLE BIT IN LOVE WITH YOU, YO!

[@TeoDP7]

The idea of moth man being a massive oversized owl is interesting and scary at the same time, imagine being a hunter alone in the woods and you suddenly see this thing staring into your soul

[@ThoughtPotato]

*shivers*

[@researcherchameleon4602]

@@ThoughtPotato Something I thought of that I give you full rights to use, is a speculative biology for the mummy, a Cordyceps fungus that puts people into a paralyzed coma, that can be confused for death, but would rise again, but to stop this, ancient Egyptians dried the bodies, but this only puts the fungus into a suspended animation, if explorers or grave robbers accidentally get the mummy wet, the addition of water brings the creature back to life, the Egyptians may have removed the brain, but the fungus never touches the brain, it controls the muscles directly

[@kzik3635]

@@ThoughtPotato maybe hobgolins next?

[@Mr.M3447]

@@ThoughtPotato if I may ask, the playlist is out of order, and was hoping if you would be able to fix that, otherwise fantastic series

[@xellosmakuzo2586]

Please see the cryptid Owlman

[@MrPink-qf1xi]

As a fan of both Myths and Speculative evolution, I can not get enough of this series. Thank you mate, you are great.

[@SergioLeonardoCornejo]

It is, indeed, fascinating.

[@Jiafeislay-ns4bd]

réal

[@WobblesandBean]

Hi, zoologist here. A frightened owl in a defensive posture looks very much like the drawings people have done of mothman, if viewed head on. Their eyes are highly reflective, so if it was dark and you didn't know what you were looking at, it would very much look like a dark, neckless humanoid head and shoulders, with glowing white eyes. The screeching sound you played is also from an owl, specifically, a barred owl. Barred owls make the same defensive posture I described. So, there you have it. The Mothman is just a barred owl.

[@godzillakingofthemonsters5812]

Would its reported great stature just be from it sitting on branches of trees or do you think it was simply a mistake trying to make something out in the dark?

[@SameSeam]

The couple reported that the Moth man attacked them, flying after their car

[@robh87]

Barrel owl.........that just takes the fun out of it don't it? What happened to the blood thirsty cryptid after your soul. I sir will go with the later thank you. You keep your owl story and go home.

[@Adventuresofdaggersqaud]

Shut up let us have an imagination and also what about the creature that appeared in Ukraine 20 years later

[@nephlem96kennedy93]

Errr

[@fabriziobiancucci7702]

12:30 Maybe that predator doesn't exist anymore. Many animals today have adaptations for enemies that went extinct thousands of years ago. Maybe the Mothman had to share its territory with a much more dangerous hunter, but then it went extinct for some reason and the Mothman mantained its adaptations

[@bjorncorvin4568]

I theorise that this predator was a tribe of Ogres that migrated to America

[@brettpalmer1770]

It is a similar case with the American antelope, they are the second fastest land animal today because the had to out run the now extinction America cheetah.

[@TheEmeraldMenOfficial]

This is actually plausible! Something similar is the leading theory for the sheer size of the capybara: that it evolved without predators, allowing it to grow unchecked and the animals that do prey on it moved into the area later on.

[@Mr.M3447]

If that’s the case, the question should be what was it? (Either an extinct native tribe or maybe a Sasquatch)

[@fabriziobiancucci7702]

@@Mr.M3447 Ironically, it could actually be a Sasquatch. Many animals today have adaptations to fight against extinct giant apes like the gigantopithecus. If we imagine that the Sasquatch was a giant ape and lived in the same environment of the Mothman, that it is likely that this two species influenced each other evolution

[@prehistoryenthusiast]

i love how this subtly hints at the fact there could be more of these beasts and about the dread of knowing that something might just be supernatural going on, for each feature explained or superstition waived, a new question arrives. why did id get so big? does it hide itself to hunt more efficiently or does it try and hide itself out of fear? some somehow undiscovered potentially supernatural superpredator? this video was a absolute pleasure to watch, even in such a format it raises such a sense of unease from just the few images and description, well done Thought Potato!

[@carso1500]

Or it could just be a very real, very dangerous predator, that wouldnt make it any less terrifying We know what bears are, we know that they are just animals yet encountering one in the forest can still be one of the most horrific experiences one can experience, nothing supernatural required

[@purplehaze2358]

I'd be interested to hear a similar narrative applied to La Lechuza, the witch-owl of Northern Mexico and Southern Texas. Maybe a closely related species, perhaps.

[@inquisitive-]

There's a similar species a little further South and then wayyyy north in British Columbia. I watched Carnival Row and wondered if the Sparas creature is comparative?

[@calebchristensen900]

La Lechuza would have to be a smaller variety since there are no large enough trees for their roosting. Or, that and the desert-like environments they live in could lead them to dwelling in limestone caves and burrows.

[@jennyfeare1702]

I'm curious of the owl-pire that owls are apparently named after, the Strix/Stiga, iirc, can see the incisor fangs fusing to become pseudobeaks in the infected. Can't forget those spooky giant owl witches of North America that could be cousins of Le Lechuza, the Tah-tah-kle'-ah

[@TooSkramz]

Mothman is easily one of my favorite cryptids/monsters, and this is one of the few videos that has given me pause as far as the owl-based Mothman. Generally I've never liked the idea much, I always felt it kind of spoils the mysticism of the Mothman, which indeed is my favorite part. This presentation goes beyond that however, creating an equally compelling and almost existentially terrifying rendition that I might even consider a distinct entity from the more traditional depictions, I like the idea that there might just be multiple Mothmen of multiple species being confused in the wilderness by the untrained eye.

[@wrexvincent]

This species is also related to the one in the UK as well, which is known as 'Owlman'. There is notable similarity in the habitat area both in American Appalachia and the area. If you wish to investigate other specimens there? - - - - - Great video as always. Love the sciebtific takes on all these monsters

[@brettpalmer1770]

North America is considered, biogeographicaly, off land of the main land Euro Asia. In other words moth man is likely something of a descendent of Owl Man. Likely fallowed some sort of prey item over here.

[@brettpalmer1770]

I am beginning to like this cryptid more and more. The fact that it does have relatives in other parts of the world is exactly what you would expect to see.

[@williammcnear3462]

I believe that the Owl Man is very much like a British equivalent of the Moth Man.

[@purplejack2020]

Ideas for future cryptids. Sea Serpents (includes Jormungandr, Nessie and Tiamat), Gargoyles, Sasquatch/Yeti/Woodwose, Ghouls, Sphinx, Fairies/ Fey, Giants (though they might just be misidentified sasquatch), Mongolian Death Worm, Banshee, Jorogumo

[@K44ru72]

Jorogumo could be a big crab with an advanced crest, with an orifice as a mouth that blows out air to speak. the body and arms would be a complex, fused eyestalk

[@filb1324]

They did a video about giants ! ^^

[@SaphoSheep]

Perhaps you should hunt for a Thunderbird in the Southwest next. You might just find out what was hypothetically hunting "the mothman".

[@frougee]

My personal theory is that the thunderbird is just a third species of condor.

[@piglin469]

​@@frougee so a argentavis on steroids

[@TheSaneHatter]

You've accomplished something very unique with this video: for the first time, your description of this likely endangered, but still formidable species makes em think, "I want to SEE this thing!" I'd give my arm to be the person who discovered this thing, presented my findings to science & government, and then got the creature and its habitat protected . . . so that we don't lose any more German Shepherds. 😢 I'm also increasingly curious about the "mid-20th-century" time frame of these fantasy recordings, since it mentions satellite pictures and the year 1967 as having gone by. At best, it's starting to sound like the 70s.....

[@joanngriesheimer142]

I was 16 in 1966, when this occurred and I remember it very well! I also was living in West Virginia!!

[@TheSaneHatter]

@@joanngriesheimer142 What an interesting experience to live through! I wouldn't be born myself, alas, until 1975. And while I would live in northern Virginia for a while (rather than WEST Virginia), it wouldn't be until the 80s.

[@tinaherr3856]

The introduction did say "Mid to *late* 20th century". So it is still accurate

[@justaalien7086]

The way you were able to connect the coincidence of mothman sightings around the time of disasters, to low frequency sounds attracting the owl is genius

[@calebchristensen900]

The thought of seeing this thing slink through the old growth and not flying, but jumping from limb to limb is honestly terrifying. I’d imagine more then a few hounds would be lost hunting at night. An amazing video as always!!! I’m curious to see what your plans are for the series continuation.

[@XiiiTitan]

I really enjoyed this video. I hope you tackle the Flatwoods Monster at some point. It was active around the same time and was practically right next door to Point Pleasant.

[@jameswilliams2075]

It being a large terrestrial salamander that blends in with tree bark could work

[@SleepDeprived002]

Crazy to think I was born on the anniversary of Mothman’s first sighting.

[@ThoughtPotato]

An omen?!

[@the_cult_of_bo]

​@@ThoughtPotato love your videos

[@A_Good_Person1984]

@@ThoughtPotato every blood moon, he turns into what point pleasant *really* sees.

[@babytoything5828]

Me too bro

[@PhoenixMoth]

Attached to The Mothman Prophecy.

[@brycefilms101]

Once again this is a great video but couldn't help but wonder about the Mothman’s origins in this. It’s stated that Mothman’s size should have made it been detected, the detail about the cages in an old bunker, and even the satellite showing geography that differed from the maps. I wonder if the Mothman’s species was deliberately created via years of controlled breeding and genetic modification by the government. I think the reason Mothman wasn’t detected until now was because the population was kept in secret areas but eventually broke out or were driven out by their need for food. This also ties into why the maps didn’t match the actual geography of the area, the site was a top secret base. It’s stated that it’s a WW2 base so my theory is these creatures were bred to attack or at least disrupt enemy forces. It would explain the oddly convenient characteristics of Mothman such as the low-frequency vibrations that cause anxiety and disrupt technology, the way these things can make little to no audible noise when flying and attacking, and how they blend perfectly into the night sky. I’d even argue that the reason Mothman is attracted to the low-frequency vibrations that occur when disasters occur is so they can be lured into war-torn areas where destruction occurs and thus sabotage enemy forces. There is a decent chance that I’m VERY wrong but that’s what I theorized could be happening in this video.

[@terriw5493]

That is actually what I was thinking as well because it mentioned cages on that site where the government had a military base type so I was thinking the same thing though I didn't have all the information as soon as they mentioned cages I was like up yep I know where this is going

[@Woahitsaturtlegynecologist]

I was thinking something similar, except that maybe the species already existed and the government discovered their characteristics and captured some to use for war. They didn’t publicly document the species, as they wanted it to remain secret to enemy forces.

[@TheCyberKid707]

As a passionate cryptozoologist, I honestly love these types of videos, and I actually have a suggestion on one that may be interesting: Rake Biology.

[@jennyfeare1702]

What another delightful episode, and an exciting surprise, i like many others assumed you'd go straight to explaining the Merfolk! On a side note my dear professor, as you're aware there appears to be a related species from Cornish folklore, possibly even of the same genus, the Owlman of Mawnan, but there're reports of another likely related member of giant clawed-winged owls endemic to Africa, tho based on its possession of quills, may be as more distantly related to Mothman and Owlman as chimps and bonobos are to us Humans, called... the Kikiyaon, or "soul cannibal" by the locals.

[@OvercutHood]

Im sorry, soul cannibal is a horrifying name. I will not be sleeping

[@calebchristensen900]

Rewatching the seminar, The thought occurs to me that there could be an entire family with multiple species across the globe. Mothman in northern Appalachia, the so called La Lechuza of the American Southwest and northern Mexico, the Owl man of the British isles and the most recent sightings in Italy, and the sightings of “black headless birds with bright red eyes.” In Western Russia. And potentially more

[@ajclements4627]

These “Biology Explained” videos are really good, I hope they continue!

[@blueturret5596]

17:57 And with that, my eagerness to view your interpretation of Ghosts has been reignited. Great video as always!

[@Raygathex]

I'm hooked on this series! I look forward to your coverage of more cryptids such as sasquatch/yeti, ahool, kraken, and others

[@hunterkage2842]

Isn't a Kraken just a octopus. Like I know there's a difference but that difference is that a Kraken is supernatural while a octopus isn't. This series hasn't gone directly into the supernatural. I guess you could make a Kraken just a big octopus bigger than any real life species but i don't much point in that. Or maybe I'm just not being creative a enough.

[@Raygathex]

@@hunterkage2842 no known cephalopods can sink a whole sailing ship. It'd have to be immense

[@kendallchaos]

@@hunterkage2842there’s actually nothing particularly supernatural about the kraken, it’s really just a giant octopus, but given the content of this very video being a giant owl wouldn’t be out of the question or even uninteresting as to any monstrous characteristics it may have evolved

[@K44ru72]

Ahool could be a big bat with a flattened face thus its apelike face. or a large carnivorous potto that adapted to glide.

[@petervitols8016]

I absolutely love combining science and myth on a deep level. Amazing content man!

[@liamjohnston2000]

I'm loving the little hints you're slowly dropping about future episodes. Can't wait for the next one!!

[@SHDUStudios]

This world building project is possibly my favorite thing on this platform.

[@hapitoons1515]

I never expected a Mothman episode for this series, Mothman is one of my favorite monsters and this also excites me for the future!

[@bloodwyvern7876]

THANK YOU for another episode I was scared you wouldn’t make another one The only complaint I have about this series is that you can’t make them more quickly

[@bloodwyvern7876]

I do understand your just one man so I’m not gonna get mad about it Thank you for making these, they are very intertwining

[@seandunbar7364]

Same, I was getting worried

[@michealroman3623]

Please continue making these videos. I love how you manage to take something mythical and ground it so nicely in the real world.

[@PaleoAnalysis]

Woo New Thought Potato video! Your stuff is so much fun man! I vote you do Chupacabra next! 👀

[@lucifermagne7458]

I second this

[@ThoughtPotato]

Thanks so much, my friend! I'm adding that to the list RIGHT NOW

[@PTtheWildEspeon]

@@ThoughtPotato What about the bunyip?

[@PaleoAnalysis]

@Thought Potato I could only imagine the fun you could have with that one, especially with two different types of creature that people call "Chupacabra"

[@the_cult_of_bo]

I❤ your videos

[@NTNoble]

I love these videos, taking cryptids and monsters and applying real world science to them is easily the best way to make them interesting again. It makes it feel like they are real world creatures just hiding beyond the view of humanity yet can encounter us at anytime. I love it!

[@gavinkailey527]

I love these videos. Monsters from legends, folklore, and cryptozoology are being changed in this amazing world that you're making, bravo sir, bravo. Also, I guess this means that the Owlman of Europe is a distant relative of this beast, right?

[@defectivedimensions4369]

I'd love to see a follow-up video that explores the possible identity of the mystery super predator that the Mothman had to evolve alongside to rival! It's such a tantalizing cliffhanger I want to see explored!

[@tolkiensunknowngrandchild3767]

This idea of the moth man as a massive, semi-quadrupedal owl, reminds me a lot of the calitross, a creature from the speculative evolutionary project know as the Sol'kesh bestiary, although the calitross doesn't possess any developed wings, instead having developed a completetly terrestrial lifestyle similar to a cougar. Amazing video as always.

[@Whispy_Pines0426]

I’d love for you to explain the biology behind the Dogman! I know you did a video on werewolves, but I want to see a video all about the biology and evolution of a bipedal canine. I think that would be epic!

[@tommybohland3051]

Yes!

[@ImmortalLemon]

Dude I just discovered this series. Your creativity is insane! I hope you have fun doing this

[@pinkpuff8562]

Great video, need more content. Literally addicted.

[@gavinleibert220]

That lightning to Mothman Biology was dope do that more

[@jennyfeare1702]

While i do like you getting rid of the second clarification that this is a work of fiction, as the text at the beginning's perfect enough to state that, i do miss your catchphrase "and remember, you matter..." the text form is insufficient, especially given it being obstructed, but otherwise, phenomenal episode as always!! Looking forward to seeing more, Ghosts or even Chupacabras (some sort of marsupial, feral/malformed vampire, alien?) on the list? I've got a feeling Merfolk are gonna be saved for next month cuz of it bein' MerMay yeah?

[@enriqueramirez0615]

The idea for the Mothman as a speculative owl🦉 is unique related to the barred owl or any owls, only 3x bigger.

[@mariobalestrieri7488]

I like the the concept of a owl version of the mothman it could be a species related to the owlman I like the the idea of wings and claws and function .

[@thadeadguyu-kno4208]

I love the World Anvil push! Its a great resource for so many reasons. Great video. I have changed some of my World of Darkness stories, involving "Hunters" with your re-envisions. I cannot wait for another "Biology Explained" stories!!

[@evilpac2327]

I remember seeing a video some time ago about an owl picking a small cat near a forest or some trees and the human owner running after it in the night. It is a short video and never really looked for it again, as I felt it really disturbing. Now I imagine something like that, but us being the prey. Quite terryifing. Just this morning I looked in your channel if a new video had been released ando somehow I missed it. It was really good to receive the notification just a while ago.

[@thomaseasley2938]

Owl mothman is best Mothman Btw, thoughtpotato, have you considered working your magic on the manticore and or Sphinx? It just seems perfect for this series

[@southernfriedwestcoaster]

The visuals and the story telling is perfect.

[@reimardahlstrom4765]

i recommend you do draugr biology. Draugr are nordic undead with multiple supernatural abilities, and it would be interesting to see how you could realistically make those work.

[@ericward8459]

Yes please!!!

[@I-am-moderately-stupid]

YES. NOW

[@AngDevigne]

The infrasound part was super interesting! Another great video.

[@the_arson_bean]

boy howdy would i love an up close and personal look at that mothman biology

[@mikelapine1]

I liked your videos on the siren and the mothman, they made these cryptic cryptids sound like creatures that could actually exist. I would love to see more, please keep up the good work!

[@veryberry_yt]

I love Mothman and while I like how it it’s depicted as a sci fi horror monster with a lot of mystery I do agree with the scientific consensus that it was probably an abnormally large owl. Still though, it’s such an amazing cryptid creation and it’s backstory is equally as interesting and elusive.

[@madamplatypus313]

I really have no idea how “man-sized owl” is more scientifically plausible than “man-sized bug”, or that they will say that but will deny “really big squid” for the same reasons.

[@feluriandelights4156]

really cool that you're covering mothman, I live in WV and there are so many cryptids like the flatwoods monster, the headless man of Fayette county, or lesser known ones like the apple devils. We are also home to the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, which has been prominently in many 'ghost hunting' shows and books. I'll tell you though as someone who has visited that place, certain cells made my skin crawl, I don't believe in ghosts or energy but bad stuff happened there and my dumb human brain thinks it is in danger. I would love to see you do one on the Flatwoods alien, it's really well documented and there have been a couple of theories that the people who saw it just saw an owl. It's so famous Nintendo know about it, referencing it in Major Mask with the aliens attacking the ranch.

[@mckenzieodom712]

I love that you did mothman. I find the stories about it and the town at that time fascinating. I would love to hear your take on the Loch Ness Monster.

[@galaxy31M]

i'd love to see an episode on the Cornish Owlman and how it's related in some way to the Mothman you covered here!

[@weirdredpanda]

Thank you for making the Mothman a giant owl. I had thought that if it was real, a giant owl was the most likely candidate to explain it. The video didn't mention that some reports say it didn't have a head, just two glowing eyes on its chest. In the dark, an owl with its head down would look headless as the head and breast "blended" together. Add its eyes glowing in headlights and now you have what appears to be a headless monster with eyes in its chest.

[@1sobek1]

I would love to see a video discussing the Lizardman of Scape-Ore Swamp. With the way these videos are, i could totally see the explanation being along the lines of a massive southern Varan, or possibly a terrestrial crocodilian. The possibilities are endless and im all for it.

[@mauveferret7076]

Bruh, the amount of research you do, combined with, clearly a friggin ocean of creativity to make these is friggin amazing. I'm curious how experts from sources like Wired Tech Support would respond. You should totally do a collab or something with em!

[@MoffyMoth]

4:23 I love how you included the evidence/references from the mothman episode from expedition X on discovery! I always loved that episode and the somewhat small but damning evidence that the mothman could have been and experiment of some kind. ❤️

[@rebelsnowflake15]

"The Dyatlov Pass incident, nearly 20 years ago-" That caught me off guard, I forgot what year it was. I've got to stop time traveling. Wonderful work as always, though!

[@solstice_soda701]

The thought that groaning I beams and storms producing a sound similar to Mothman calls and that being the reason why they seem to show up before disaster is so fucking cool.

[@venomousfringe]

This was a very good informative episode. I have discussed Mothman on my show several times and I’ve always believed it to be a supernatural force from an undisclosed realm. However, naturally and realistic depiction, your analysis is what I’ve believed as well. When the Scarberry’s (the first eyewitnesses) viewed their vehicle they noticed scratches and claw marks on the top. Various farmers throughout the region were calling police to inform them about their live stock being murdered, the chemical imbalances of the TNT plant where the creatures been spotted, a source of nutrients and resources for an enlarged mutated owl. All these points reason for something natural and fresh. A supernatural force would leave no trace of anything let alone exposure to one’s force could be catastrophic. Take the Wendigo and skinwalker sightings, people have life threatening experiences, same with Bigfoot and Dogman. But these things follow. Of all cryptids, the Mothman is the least intimidating. Unless he’s got an appetite and he’s smacking his lips. Very informative. Great work.

[@KriviSalla-bp5te]

About a year ago, I made a speculative evolution project about the biology of popular cryptids, and coincidentally, I had the exact same idea, that Mothman was not really a moth or a man but instead a giant owl. I was surprised to see that you got the same idea.

[@alestiiidaeno_last3075]

This is one of my favorite series on youtube

[@TheCyberKid707]

I also have another video request. I would love to hear your take on a cryptid that I find particularly fascinating: The sanguivorous (sanguivorous means blood-feeding) species of canines known as chupacabras. As someone who has some firsthand knowledge about these creatures, I will give you some solid facts that I know firsthand about chupacabras. -Contrary to what many people think, chupacabras actually do not seem particularly interested in attacking humans. They tend to more go after farm animals, especially goats. (In fact, it seems that there is a much stronger preference for goats over that of any other farm animal) -Contrary to popular belief, the black things going down the back of a chupacabra are not hairs, but rather spikes. Why they have spikes is something I have yet to answer, though I am very curious as to what purpose these spikes serve. Perhaps a defense mechanism of sorts?

[@TheEmeraldMenOfficial]

I just watched the rest of the series today… what good timing!

[@thespookymage6294]

Please for the love of god, do an artbook or something like that with all these wonderful images and writings. I would buy like five copies, this is so wonderful and the pictures are immaculate!

[@monochrosomnia]

im liking the lore being setup for a story on channel, very cool

[@arsenyjsharov2239]

Greetings! If you wonder about the predators of our Colossal Moth Owl, the appalachian mountains were inhabited by pumas short time ago. While definitely incapable of flying, that big cat is certainly capable of catching an unsuspecting bird.

[@jameswilliams2075]

It could also ne any number of other cryptids found in the Appalachian mountains such as Bigfoot, the wampus Cat, goat man, devil monkey, snallygaster and such Appalacha has around 100 cryptids

[@Roffe911]

This is what I've been looking forward to

[@purplejack2020]

Rewatching this video some details pop out at me that suggest that these "mothmen" might not be entirely natural or it's natural environment and behavior was greatly disturbed in the recent past. 1. The Mothman seems to have appeared rather suddenly across the Point Pleasant area. 2. Our narrator was assigned the task of studying the Mothman out of the blue. 3. The narrator found large empty cages in the TNT area meaning possible military involvement. 4. The satellite images of the TNT area are inaccurate indicating they are being actively interfered with and edited. 5. It's size begs the question of what could cause such a scale to evolve? What if the military wasn't only studying the mothmen, but was also trying to use them as a lure for whatever preys on them? And in interfering with their natural habitat and, even worse, possibly attracting their natural predator to the area were the mothmen driven to uncharacteristic frenzy and stress causing all of the recent and unprecedented sightings of an animal which has until now proven quite capable of remaining undetected?

[@jennyfeare1702]

Great points, i really wonder what may prey upon Mothman and why it's of interest for such people, Thunderbird with its potential bioelectrical abilities and important role as a Horned Serpent specialist, Jersey Devil if it is indeed an extant North American Dragon, or, as the tales go, some sort of terrible posthuman monstrosity, or some other cryptic animal, who knows what else the Appalachian wilds harbor...

[@konnosx1213]

the idea of an animal that uses infrasound to communicate with other individuals of its species being attracted to natural disasters because they produce infrasound is a genius way to explain the "harbinger of doom" idea without magic

[@reverendmorgano9659]

One plausible potential idea for a predator for a creature like moth man as a giant owl would be another cryptid reported in the same area and nearly everywhere else in the world but is arguably more famous for its alleged encounters in Michigan. I am of course referring to the dog man. Descriptions of dog men suggest they are every bit as massive and even more powerful than Bigfoot and undeniably more ferocious. Such a creature would easily make short work of an owl the size of moth man or just about anything else it decided looked or smelled tasty, especially considering they are said to live in packs. Just an idea.

[@jasonfrye4669]

The strangest feature of this owl species to me is the detachment of the feathers from the middle digit and the extreme pronation of the wrists, it seems to me like the specimen was damaged during collection. Though it does seem like freeing the first and third fingers would be a very useful adaptation to help such a large bird climb across branches without having to take off. The first and third fingers might be heavily muscled and fold inwards 180 degrees, if so, it may also allow the bird to launch itself by grabbing onto a sturdy object and pulling its wings back. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mothman owls are very common in places with medium-large prey and large trees or cliffs.

[@gibusgaming5866]

The cry you made for the Mothman in 16:31 terrifying

[@Mr.M3447]

I am predicting the next couple videos to be about Ogres, Yetis, Giants, and Dragons at some point, though I personally think that the Giant and dragon ones should be made sort of into miniseries due to the massive variety of those kinds of creatures like wyverns and basilisks and for giants there are fire, ice, classic mountain ones, heck ogres could even be made as relatives to true giants

[@iraelowolfgang1846]

the fact that this huge bird of prey has a predator that made it evolve to hide so efficiently makes my skin crawl, what could possibly BE its predator for this owl to NEED to hide???

[@Iamthedr]

I always loved these type of videos,the idea of taking myths and legends and taking a scientific look at it is amazing.

[@ryuujitakasu4602]

I spoke to a Pagan and she said that "The Mothman is a confused spirit, stuck half way, in the human realm, and spirit realm. And the fact it just dissappeared is just it trying to go back to the spirit realm"

[@Tyrexthecreaturedesigner]

I love the idea of a big owl. My fantasy world project is a lot like the world you’re building. Some of the animals are my take on mythical animals. An example of this is turning the Jackalope into a tiny species of antelope with rather large ears. If you do a Sasquatch, may I recommend a giant new world monkey?

[@tomcurl8034]

I like the idea of the infra sound from the bridge slowly breaking attracting the creature also an unusual variety of owl makes sense for how stealthy the creature would be

[@rodcab2973]

I love this take on the mothman. Far too often do people go with the idea that it's an extraterrestrial or extradimensional being. This physical entity is much more suitable in my humble opinion.

[@jennyfeare1702]

I was like "what the bloody hell horror would prey upon a Mothman???" then i recall an interesting Dragon said to call NA home, the Snallygaster, which may be extinct by the time the professor heard of it, in all honesty, which can be seen as a relief or tragedy. Curious then on the cycloptic eye reported, likely just a marking honestly, and the "tentacles" could be modified wattles or tongue to snatch up swift prey. Thunderbird and Jersey Devil (another dragon, weird mutagenic human, weird hammerheaded bat?), or even Batsquatch and Lone Pine Mountain Devil may also be some good contenders too.

[@Skyypixelgamer]

Omg yes more plausible Cryptid videos. These videos are inspiring me to try this out my self.

[@dl200010]

These may be works of fiction, but they are so well thought out that they seem real. I love it!

[@TheEverything_Man]

Ok, now you absolutely have to biology of ghosts, and possibly biology of goblins too, these are incredible

[@TheCyberKid707]

The correct depiction of a chupacabra is the canine-like creature. I am specifying this because -There are at least two other cryptids that have been misidentified as “chupacabras” which I have actually given their own names, so that I can talk about them without mixing up which creature I am referring to. One of these mislabeled creatures are what I have come to call Amphicabroos. These are the more frog/alien-hybrid looking things, which actually do not have fangs. This one is often called the “Puerto Rican Chupacabra.” However, contrary to its name, they actually live over here in Texas as well. (That or they migrate between Texas and Puerto Rico depending on the time of year) I came up with this name by combining the words “Amphibian”, “Chupacabra” and “Kangaroo.” (The kangaroo part coming from the way they stand whenever they go full bipedal, though they seem to be able to comfortably transition from a bipedal stance to a quadrupedal stance and move on all fours if they want to.) They seem to go after small rodents, implying that they can survive on very little food for long periods of time. The other creature that has been falsely labeled as a “chupacabra” is what I call a “Bronze Batmonkey.” These cuties look exactly as the name implies: Bronze batmonkeys are small monkey-like creatures, (they’re maybe about two-feet tall) with wings big enough to cover their faces when folded. Surprisingly, these wings can carry them at shockingly lightning-fast speeds, which I have not been able to calculate yet, but let me just tell you that they fly so fast that they pretty much just become a blur of motion when they fly. The fur of bronze batmonkeys, as the name implies, is a beautiful shade of bright golden-bronze, with a subtle orange hue. (Fun fact: these critters actually sleep upside down, using their tails to hang from tree branches while they sleep with their wings folded, much akin to a bat.) I will send a link to the depiction that I am referring to as the bronze batmonkey: www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F488429522066622470%2F&psig=AOvVaw1zMDw1-tk9iy9jlY3lmzXY&ust=1681342302229000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CBAQjRxqFwoTCOiwqqf-ov4CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

[@andyc4295]

I would suspect that most of this population is only pressured by predation when they are young/immature. Once these creatures reach a certain size, predators would not risk attacking one for their own safety.

[@ethanemerson4862]

May I offer the thought of the existence of convergent evolution to the Mothman in the form of an actual giant moth rather than an owl? “But what about its call? Moths can’t vocalize” All but one, the Death’s Head Hawk Moth is (to my knowledge) is the only moth that can vocalize in its adult form. Further more, some moths and butterflies actually DRINK BLOOD. Finally, if both these Mothman exist in the same universe, the Moth-Mothman has defensive mimicry, looking like the Owl-mothman. Some moths do have such mimicry, looking like snakes when their wings are closed. So the existence of a Mothman that is an actual Moth is not that far off.

[@brotherkhrayn3525]

LETS GOOOOO! my dad’s from West Virginia, so Mothman holds a special place in my heart.

[@bugchamp7075]

The red colouration could be caused from bathing in iron rich dirt, like bearded vultures do to clean themselves up & look scary. I don't know how possible that colouration is in the americas but it could explain the unusual colouration Also as a massive bird nerd this is by far my favourite one of these

[@jameswilliams2075]

I live around the Appalachian mountains there is a good bit of red clay in places

[@brettpalmer1770]

It has always been my belief that most weird American cryptids were owls, their eyes shine red and many have unique sounds and defense behaviors.

[@MonitorLizardGaming]

Out of curiosity I played a 17 hz sound through my headphones and I inexplicably felt uneasy afterwards. Also made me dizzy. That makes this video a next level of terrifying and interesting

[@Lily-Laura-Jane]

we gonna get lore about the guy who manages to obtain all these creatures?

[@TheThunder1993]

As someone who has grown up and lived almost their entire life in point pleasant and the region around it I really do like your take on the creature

[@aasminecrafter]

The night sky pattern on the Mothman's wings remind me of Lucent Nargacuga from the Monster Hunter, where it has deep blue scales and pale white fur to refract moonlight to quite literally turn invisible.

[@beelunder8433]

I love this series so much! Would you ever do the biology behind different fictional animals/plants from different series?

[@robbecker2377]

I am intrigued by this concept of mothman being a non supernatural creature, but I think the grinning man(Indrid Cold) plays a big part in the legend. I would like to see a follow up on this topic covering him.

[@lucasryan1223]

By far my favorite series of yours! Cannot wait to see what cryptid/monster you decide to do next!

[@j.corbygaming]

Keep these videos up!! Its my favorite series

[@ianswinford5570]

You amazing madman. You did a Mothman biology video. I am very happy. I’m still waiting on those Lamia and Jorogumo videos, but I’m happy to wait with anticipation.

[@themeanestturtle]

Brings me back to when I saw the Lost Tapes episode on Mothman when I was 9.

[@andreimytavarez3815]

I just recently start watching your videos and find them to be very fascinating and entertaining I was just wondering if you would do biology videos on ghouls, mermaids and lycan to explain how are they different from zombies, sirens and werewolves respectively. Again I really enjoyed your videos and I would like to see your take on those creatures.