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Presents....
Trippy Tales from The Backyard
The Squonk
Welcome back, Young and Young-at-Heart explorers! Welcome back to Trippy Tales from the Backyard! The show where we explore some of the strangest, scariest, and most curious urban legends from around the world, especially the good old U.S.A.! Be they unknown cryptids, horrific hauntings, or random unexplained phenomena, the stories we tell on this show explore the mostly untapped supernatural side of the 50 states and beyond!
With Christmas on the horizon, we will be sharing our egg nog and s'mores with a creature who, while not necessarily Christmasy, has become connected, in recent years, to a place that I often visit during this time of year; the state of Pennsylvania. Yes, often when our schedules permit during the holiday season, members of my family will often visit a few extended relatives (on my mother's side) who we don't normally see during different times of the year. And they are based in the Keystone state.
And with its close proximity to my old stomping grounds of New Jersey, it would only make sense that Pennsylvania have some of its own strange legendary cryptids and creepers, with our own Jersey Devil even having a couple of sightings in the area. However, Pennsylvania-like all 50 states-also holds some of its own unique creatures, with one having had an interesting resurgence online in recent years.
Yes, that's him/her/it right above, as usual. Say hello to the Squonk, Pennsylvania's answer to the Jersey Devil; although he is a far less ferocious being than the 13th Child of Mother Leeds. In fact, the Squonk has often been depicted as not only being a rather docile creature (at least to our knowledge!), but its actually quote doleful and depressed, constantly sobbing for undisclosed reasons. A lot of people say it's merely due to his ugly, loose-skinned appearance, though it's also possible that it may be something much more depressing-or politically-driven.
However, despite its hideous visage and Eeyore-esque attitude, the Squonk, like all of America's cryptids, has acquired a niche, but dedicated following amongst the morbidly curious of this world. And in another parallel to its New Jersey-based cousin with wings, in recent years, the Squonk has become an unofficial mascot to its homeland, with it's sobbing, piglike face adorning several festivals and tourist traps across the Keystone State in recent years!
So, make sure you kept the tissues in handy-for our guest, not for you-as we explore the tale of the fascinatingly-mopey Squonk.
A Tearful Introduction
As you can see in the images above, the Squonk's physical appearance is one that precedes its melancholic attitude. Sightings have been scarce over the years, but the few who have had the privilege of laying eyes upon the Squonk describe it as a small, wrinkly pig-like or dog-like creature covered in craggily skin lesions, with webbed feet similar to that of a penguin or frog on only one side of its body. It's often heard sobbing to itself uncontrollably, allegedly due to being unhappy with its rather ghastly appearance
The Squonk is said to take refuge in the hemlock forests of Pennsylvania, and matching its apparent nihilistic sentience, prefers to stay in the shadows, often traveling during transitional periods between night and day. It particularly tries to keep hidden during moonlit nights, dreading outsiders who may catch a glimpse of its twisted form and worsening its apparent self-esteem.
Befitting these facts, Squonk sightings have been infrequent amongst the cryptid community, but the first ones reported date back to around the time of the Industrial Revolution, sometime between the late 19th and 20th centuries. At that point, lumber workers were a sought-after profession during a period where land was being used to craft new forms of labor and transportation. They would often tell many tall tales to each other, mostly as a way to deal with the tedium of their laborious day-to-day lives.
Much of the facts that we know about the Squonk today were first pinpointed in the year of 1910. That year, a forester named William Thomas Cox published a book entitled Fearsome Creatures of The Lumberwoods, in which he retold several of the legends and cryptids he had heard about during breaks between his usual duties. And the Squonk was among them.
"Every lumber legion has its lore." Cox describes in his book. "Thrilling tales of adventure are told in camp wherever the logger has entered the wilderness. The lumberjack is an imaginative being, and a story loses none of its interest as it is carried and repeated from one camp to another."
When describing the Squonk, Cox called it a being with a "very retiring disposition", and that "it is said, by people who are best able to judge, to be the most morbid of beasts.", on account of its insecurities over its ugliness.
A few stories at the time even connected the Squonk to other notable folk legends of the United States. One tale notably showed it crossing paths with folk legend Paul Bunyan.
Cry me a River
However, befitting its nihilistic reclusiveness, compared to a lot of the legends we have encountered so far, The Squonk has rarely been seen by even the most dedicated of sightseers. Cox had even acknowledged this in his book, noting that "The range of The Squonk is very limited. Few people outside of Pennsylvania have ever heard of the quaint beast." And even people in Pennsylvania have seldomly reported encounters with the creature.
Then again, just because it's rarely happened, doesn't mean it's never happened. Perhaps the most notable sighting came from a man named J.P. Whentling. Whentling went out into the hemlock forests near the town of Mont Alto one night, hoping to capture the creature.
Whentling claimed that he managed to hunt the creature by following its trail of tears, luring it in by imitating its trademark cries. He managed to capture the creature in a burlap sack and rushed home to show his new trophy off. However, as he continued his journey, he found that the sack started to strangely get lighter and lighter. When he eventually made it home, he opened his sack once again, only to find that the Squonk had somehow vanished! All that was left was a large pool of tears.
The few who have hunted the Squonk have recalled similar incidents, stating that the beast will often suddenly dissolve into a puddle of tears if one were to attempt to give chase. Thery have also advised hunting the creature during colder nights (just like at the time of me writing this particular sentence in the article, though I'm posting it in the afternoon!), as that particular weather will cause the Squonk's tear puddles to become much more prevalent.
Another notable hunt for the creature occurred recently in 2023. Then, Sean Collier from Pittsburgh Magazine visited the Heart's Content Recreational Area in Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest, believing that they may have been found in a section of the park dubbed Tom's Trail Run. Collier claims he never spotted the creature, but has gone on record saying that he doesn't regret his expedition.
"The fun of the Squonk is its mysteriousness-how impossible it is to find." Collier describes in an article he wrote about his experience. "To actually find one would ruin it."
Why the Long Face?
Now, what exactly makes the Squonk such a crybaby? Well, as I noted above, many people believe that the Squonk has developed such a so-called "very retiring disposition" on account of its disturbing appearance.
As explained above, the Squonk has been described as having a face only a mother could love, being covered in folds, wrinkles, and every skin lesion you can think of! As a result, the Squonk emits its trademark cries as a result of low self-esteem, which has actually caused him to become rather relatable amongst the most self-conscious of folks (more on that later).
However, like other urban legends, it may be possible that the Squonk may just be an elaborate hoax, made up as a mischievous prank by a creative mind. However, in this case, there may be an ulterior motive behind its supposed creation.
I did just note that the Squonk's legends came about amongst those who worked in the lumber industry. Well, with that in mind, I personally believe that there may be a very real possibility that the Squonk may merely be a metaphor for the unintended environmental consequences of logging.
Indeed, while nothing can be confirmed for sure, it would seem that there is a possibility that the Squonk may just be an object of environmentalist propaganda. Lumberjacks and logging are businesses that obviously involves clearing out a lot of natural land in order to build, and that includes all the critters who may be present in the trees. As a result, a lot of environmentalists have pointed their fingers towards the lumber industry, noting consequences such as the destruction of natural habitats, as well as disrupting the natural water system thanks to a lack of trees to absorb and reroute said water to the soil.
Granted, in recent years, many individuals within the lumber industry have since vowed to enact more sustainable practices, including the possibility of re-planting trees. However, with all this in mind, it's possible that the Squonk's uncontrolled weeping may be a representation of the horrific damages to the environment that have been blamed on logging, effectively personifying the many living things that are damaged by the lumberjacks.
Of course, it may be possible that the Squonk may just be the usual misidentified animal, or even a misidentified forest hermit, giving the fact that it's apparently sentient enough to cry and express sorrow. Anything is possible!
Unwanted Attention
But whatever the case may be with the Squonk, it's definitely gone on to establish a massive cult following amongst the truth seekers of the world, whether it likes it or not. Several cryptozoologists have even given the Squonk an actual scientific name not too dissimilar to those of all of Earth's species that have been identified. Within these circles, the Squonk takes the name of Lacrimacorpus Dissolvens, which literally translates to "tear body dissolving" in Latin, referencing its aforementioned preferred disappearing act.
And of course, much like a lot of cryptids, the Squonk has made it onto the guest lists of several pop culture IPs, even if it's probably not proud of it! Characters inspired by the Squonk have appeared in works such as the cartoon series Winx Club and the popular MMO Final Fantasy XIV. A creature that bears a slight resemblance to the Squonk also appeared in one of our past topics on Stranger Sinema, Evolution, as depicted above (though the resemblance might be coincidental!).
Furthermore, the Squonk seems to have (reluctantly) jumped onto the geek bandwagon in recent years, having made its presence known on the comic book page. A superhero named after the creature recently appeared in DC's Doom Patrol, and the creature itself is set to make an upcoming appearance in Grimm Tales of Terror, published by Zenoscope Entertainment, a company based in the legend's native Pennsylvania! Members of the tabletop gaming space have even managed to incorporate the Squonk into their campaigns for titles such as the ever-popular Dungeons and Dragons!
However, every cryptid seems to have their favorite form of popular culture to appear in, as we've seen on this show before. The Jersey Devil has television. The Beast of Bray Road has low-budget movies. The Kinderhook Blob has pop art. And in the case of our melancholic little buddy, it would see that music is its personal favorite place to book guest spots. The legendary British rock band Genesis wrote a song entitled "Squonk" in 1976 that was inspired by J.P. Whentling's aforementioned encounter with the creature, and Steely Dan directly name-dropped the Squonk in their 1974 track "Any Major Dude Will Tell You"; "Have you see a Squonk's tears/Well, looks at mine."
One online artist I watch, Cackling Pumpkins-who grew up in Pennsylvania-, has also made his own version of the Squonk for a series of small comic dubs. Entitled Whiny the Squonk, a still from the series is depicted above. They are currently available to watch on Cackling Pumpkins' YouTube and NewGrounds pages.
And lastly, much like how The Jersey Devil has become an unofficial mascot for my own home state, the Squonk seems to have become one for the State of Pennsylvania in recent years. In addition to the aforementioned Zenoscope Entertainment and Cackling Pumpkins, several Pennsylvania-based small businesses have adopted the Squonk's visage in order to stand out from the crowd. Examples include the Mountain Town Coffee Roasting Company, who sell different instant coffee roasts themed after multiple cryptids across America. This includes the Squonk, which they describe as a roast made from Rwandan beans with hints of honey and multiple fruity flavors!
However, perhaps the Squonk's greatest honor can be found in the Pennsylvanian town of Johnstown...
Squonkapalooza
Say hello to Squonkapalooza, an annual festival that celebrates all things related to our doleful little buddy! Located in Johnstown, the Squonkapalooza first began in 2023 as what was supposed to be a one-time event. However, the large outpouring of support that came forth during its maiden voyage has caused the event to evolve into a yearly tradition held in the month of August where cryptid enthusiasts can gather from all over and enjoy all things Squonk!
Events held at the festival include lectures about the legend (of course!), musical performances, games, a Squonk compliment contest, a Squonk hunt, and a marketplace of over 60 different cryptid-themed vendors. The event also includes performances by a troupe that has dubbed themselves "Squonk Opera", who have notably made appearances on America's Got Talent and Broadway, as well touring internationally!
"The Squonk seems like an unlikely creature to throw a festival for", admits even co-founder Lisa Russell, "but the Squonk might also be the most relatable creature. Everyone feels a little "squonky" sometimes, so we wanted to turn the Squonk's frown upside-down and celebrate the sorrow. We support the underdog."
And it would seem that Russell and company have even chosen the perfect place to hold a festival for our little crybaby! The town of Johnstown has had a history of bad luck surrounding it, having been the sight of multiple floods. One major flood occurred within the area in 1889, which leveled four square miles of the town, killing over 2,200 citizens and damaging as much as 1,600 homes. Although the town was able to recover, eventually becoming a major player in Pennsylvania's steel industry, nature continued to test its resilience. Another major flood occurred on St. Patrick's Day in 1936, followed by another in 1977. Eventually, Johnstown's population began to collapse, causing the once-bustling city to experience an economic downturn. A 2003 census even declared it the U.S. City that was the least likely to attract new visitors.
"I knew there was a large cryptid community in the area, so I thought it was a perfect located." Russell describes. "Everyone welcomed the Squonk with open arms." And Ms. Russell was right; even after only a few years, it would seem that Squonkapalooza has become a rather hot topic event amongst the cryptid community, continuing to attract many YouTubers and podcasters to its tear-laden grounds every August. With this in mind, the Squonk could perhaps change Johnstown's luck for the better thanks to its little festival, ironically becoming a harbinger for potential future joy for the burgeoning little community!
Don't Cry because it's over. Smile because it Happened!
So, in the end, much like all cryptids, we may never be able to prove the Squonk's existence for sure. And it may be very possible that the creature may ultimately just be a glorified work of environmentalist propaganda. However, that doesn't mean that the Squonk hasn't left a legacy. Far from it, in fact.
Indeed, while it's legend may only date back over a single century, the Squonk has still been welcomed with open arms by folklorists and cryptid hunters from all over in recent years, even if it the doleful little beast may have ironically preferred that not be the case. It's been embraced as another strange oddity to add to America's pantheon of legendary creatures, and much like its peers, has particularly been embraced by its home state and become an unofficial mascot of sorts to it.
As melancholic as it may be, the Squonk is a being that has captured the imaginations of many truth seekers over the years, and while it may prefer to be left alone, much like a lot of America's legendary beasts, it's only started to be recognized by the most curious of people in the world, especially as the world's legends and cultures have reached one another than ever before with the advent of the Internet. And there may be many more mysteries to be discovered and solved yet with our sobby little friend.
So, this Holiday Season, while it would be wise to just give the Squonk a little space, just remember to not turn into a Squonk yourself. Make sure you spend lots of time with friends and family and be sure to reflect on the past year as we prepare for a new year of opportunities to come our way. And be grateful for all the things you have while you still do, because nothing in life lasts forever.
And with that, This Trippy Tale from the Backyard, has been finished, and this meeting, adjourned!
Sources:
Bennett, O. (2024). Discover the SQUONK cryptid: Pennsylvania’s Saddest Legend. Hangar 1 Publishing. https://hangar1publishing.com/blogs/cryptids/squonk-cryptid?srsltid=AfmBOop86SDsQi5OGLM9hdmLEp4oZYeYvsmI-sa9KAP3B5oTBmdZQMur
Collier, S. (2023, October 24). Collier’s weekly: Let’s go on a squonk hunt. Pittsburgh Magazine. https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/colliers-weekly-lets-go-on-a-squonk-hunt/
Dylan, C. (2023, June 9). The squonk: From folklore to flavorful beans. Mountain Town Coffee Roasting. https://gamountaincoffee.com/2023/06/09/squonk/
GBC, U. (2024, May 30). Environmental impacts of timber logging for construction. UKGBC. https://ukgbc.org/our-work/topics/embodied-ecological-impacts/timber/
Kolek, D. (2025, December 2). The SQUONK, Pennsylvania’s crybaby cryptid, set to star in upcoming comic. ABC 27. https://www.abc27.com/news/the-squonk-pennsylvanias-crybaby-cryptid-set-to-star-in-upcoming-comic/
Londos, T. (2024, January 5). Discover the squonk of pennsylvania: Myth or real-life creature? - A-Z animals. A-Z Animals. https://a-z-animals.com/blog/squonk/
McIllvain , J. G. (2025, August 13). The Lumber Industry & its Environmental impact. Ipe Outlet. https://www.ipeoutlet.com/lumber-industry-can-positively-impact-environment/
Simms, J. (2024, October 22). A new festival celebrates a sad and ugly cryptid called the squonk - atlas obscura. Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/squonk-festival-pennsylvania
Smith, E. (2023, September 8). Squonk creature history: What is a squonk, anyway?. Tedium. https://tedium.co/2023/09/08/squonk-cryptid-origin-story/
Zurn, A. (2024, June 24). Cryptid: The tale of the sorrowful squonk. Uncharted Lancaster. https://unchartedlancaster.com/2024/06/24/cryptid-the-tale-of-the-sad-sack-squonk/
Squonk | Winx Club Wiki | Fandom
Squonk - Gamer Escape's Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV, FF14) wiki
From Cryptid to D&D Monster: The Squonk
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