Wendigo - The Winter Predator

Many creatures instill dread in the hearts of people across the world. Most of these creatures are man-eaters. Lions, anacondas, and sharks are just a handful of representations of these animals. Yet, there’s one creature that, if known to the public, would elicit fear in the hearts of all people, no matter how brave or stoic.

The Wendigo comes from Algonquian folklore and is a cannibalistic humanoid that feeds on human flesh. The Algonquians live in the cold climate of eastern Canada. Their belief in and stories of the wendigo go back for generations.

The Wendigo is a spirit that is described in many forms, but always in the form of a human. In size, it is said to be up to 15 feet tall but never stops growing; the more it feeds on human flesh, the larger it becomes. It has been described as similar in appearance to that of a human corpse. Often it is said to have a lipless mouth with large fangs. It has also been described as having a human body with the head of a deer.

Regardless, in Algonquian folklore, the Wendigo is said to hunt humans during the cold and dark winter months. However, being consumed by this terrifying creature is not the worst fate. The Wendigo can also possess the spirits of susceptible people, those who let their carnal desires go unchecked in life. When a person is possessed by a Wendigo, he or she turns into a cannibal, craving the flesh of other people, even their closest family members. For the pure in heart, the thought of turning into a monster that preys upon their loved ones is horrifying beyond anything else.

So, if you are ever in the woods during wintertime, you should remember the story of the Wendigo. If it happens that you feel a palpable sense of dread come over you, there is a good chance that a Wendigo is nearby and that it intends for you to be its next victim.