The Grinning Beast: Crocotta

So picture this. You're alone, wandering through a forest in India or Africa. It's probably night time, everything scary happens at night. You hear a sound, it's like a scream mixed with a laugh, but it has words attached. 'Come closer, hello, come closer,' Yeah, if you hear that. Run. Fuck the voice. Run.

That my friends is a Crocotta or Leucrota, a mouth full of teeth that will talk your way to death. A Crocotta is dog like creature from Ethiopia or India born from breeding a lion and hyena, that is not to be messed with.

The creature is described to have the build of a hyena and a lion, as big as a donkey, cloven hooves and a lions tail. It is also said to have multi-coloured eyes that are made from striped gems that give them oracular powers. However, the feature that best identifies a Crocotta is its grin. This beast stole the Joker's look and has a grin that stretches across itS face, but instead of teeth it has solid bone that look like daggers.

If the look of this creature frightens you, then its abilities will make you shit your pants. It is said to be swift, one of the swiftest animals in the land. It can not be killed by any weapon made from steel. However, these aren't its best assets. The Crocotta has the ability to mimic the human voice. It lures people out of their homes by calling out to them, sometimes pretending to be loved ones, before killing the person. So next time your mom calls you downstairs, make sure its her.

And we're not the only ones in danger. Man's best friend is an enemy of the Crocotta. If its shadow falls upon upon a pooch, then the animal will be rendered useless. Also, if any animal, especially dogs, spots a Crocotta three times, it will freeze so the beast can eat it. So keep your pets away from these beasts.

In modern day, the beast is is closely linked to the hyena. The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) bares resemblance in both name and looks. The spotted hyena has large jaws that can bite through bone, powerfully strong and can make humanized sounds like laughter. Local folktale often depicts hyenas has being bisexual and able to change their gender, shape-shift and process the human voice. The stripped hyena is also a favourite for being the modern Crocotta with it's stripped coat and human like scream.

So next time you hear someone shout your name, watch out, there may be a Crocotta about.

External links

http://bestiary.ca/beasts/beast160.htm

http://victorguerr.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/leucrota.html