Tradition: American Mythology
Alternative Names: Wapaloosies
Category: Marten

The Myth

Wapaloosies are unusual mammals that inhabit the forests of the Pacific Coast. About the size of a dachshund, they have velvety fur, woodpecker-like feet, and a tail tipped with a sharp spike. Their bodies and movements resemble those of inchworms, allowing them to climb effortlessly up the tallest trees. They seek out bracket fungi growing on tree trunks and branches, using their specialized feet and spike-tipped tails to aid their ascent.

The wapaloosie’s climbing ability supposedly persists even after death. One lumberjack in Washington shot a wapaloosie and turned its fur into a pair of mittens. However, whenever he tried to grasp an axe or another object, the mittens began shimmying up whatever he held, climbing toward the top of its handle. Unable to use them without the strange behavior recurring, the lumberjack eventually discarded the mittens. They were last seen scrambling over piles of lumber slash, continuing their peculiar climbing long after the animal itself had died.

Sources

“Wapaloosie.” A Book of Creatures, May 27, 2019. https://abookofcreatures.com/2019/05/27/wapaloosie/

The Myth

Treesqueaks are small, weasel-like creatures that inhabit the northern woods. Their bodies are flexible and prehensile, allowing them to move around trees with ease. They can also change color to match the bark and appearance of the trees they climb, making them difficult to spot among the branches.

These creatures are known for producing an extraordinary variety of strange sounds. Their calls can resemble wind blowing through the trees, the whining of a cougar, the squealing of a piglet, or even firecrackers exploding at a wedding. Despite their small size, treesqueaks are as unfriendly and troublesome as their weasel-like appearance suggests.

According to the saying associated with them, any unexplained noise in the woods can be blamed on a treesqueak. Whenever something rustles, squeals, whistles, or cracks without an obvious cause, one of these elusive creatures is presumed to be responsible.