Tradition / Region: American Mythology
Alternative names: Dingmaul, Sliver Cat
Category: Cat
The Myth
The Ball-Tailed Cat is a fearsome beast said to resemble a mountain lion, distinguished by an extraordinarily long tail ending in a heavy, solid ball.
The creature hunts by swinging its powerful tail with tremendous force, striking prey unconscious before moving in to kill it. Travelers who wandered too close were said to be knocked senseless by a single blow from the tail.
Some stories describe a more dangerous variety known as the Sliver Cat. Instead of a smooth club, one side of its tail ends in sharp spikes. After stunning its victim with the smooth side, it turns the tail and drives the spiked side into its prey, holding it fast before delivering the final attack.
Another variant, the Dingmaul, is similarly known for using its massive tail as its primary weapon, making the Ball-Tailed Cat one of the most feared creatures said to roam the forests of North America.
Sources
“Ball-tailed Cat.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed July 28, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball-tailed_cat