Squonk: Cryptid Crybaby With a Damp Disappearing Act

Despite its niche roots, the squonk has made notable appearances in pop culture. Genesis wrote a song titled “Squonk,” turning its melancholic story into art. It’s also popped up in podcasts, books and videos exploring lesser-known American legends. One online series even called it a “major dude” of cryptid culture.

The squonk’s story was first documented in early lumberjack folklore collections (e.g., Cox 1910), and even a Paul Bunyan book in 1937 included the squonk alongside Babe the Blue Ox. Modern folklorists like Hal Johnson have since reprinted these tales, keeping the squonk alive in legend.​

The squonk’s legacy continues to inspire everything from art prints to plush toys — odd, perhaps, for a creature that spends most of its time weeping.

And let’s not forget: In a world of flashy monsters and dramatic chases, the squonk is a gentle reminder that not all cryptids want to fight. Some just want to cry in peace.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.