Devil Monkeys

In the hills and hollows of Appalachia, something that shouldn’t exist has been terrifying residents for over sixty years. The Devil Monkey - a large, aggressive, baboon-like creature with powerful legs and a vicious temperament - has been reported across Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and neighboring states. No known North American primate matches its description.

The First Reported Attack

The modern history of Devil Monkey sightings begins in 1959 in Saltville, Virginia. A couple driving through the rural area reported that their car was attacked by a creature that left scratch marks on the vehicle and terrified them with its aggressive behavior.

They described the animal as:

• Approximately 3-4 feet tall
• Covered in dark, coarse fur
• Having a dog-like or baboon-like snout
• Moving on powerful hind legs capable of leaping
• Extremely aggressive, attacking their vehicle without provocation

Similar sightings would continue for decades across the region.

Physical Description

Witnesses consistently describe Devil Monkeys as:

Body: Large and muscular, weighing an estimated 50-100 pounds or more

Face: Dog-like or baboon-like snout with prominent teeth; not flat-faced like great apes

Fur: Usually dark - black, brown, or gray; thick and coarse

Limbs: Powerful hind legs built for jumping; some reports describe kangaroo-like locomotion

Behavior: Highly aggressive, known to attack vehicles, livestock, and even humans without apparent provocation

Sounds: Described as making screaming, shrieking, or howling noises unlike any known animal

Notable Incidents

1959, Saltville, Virginia: The first documented attack on a vehicle.

1969, Rural Virginia: A woman reported a creature attacking her car, leaving deep scratches and dents in the metal.

1973, Albany, Kentucky: Multiple witnesses reported seeing a large, monkey-like creature crossing roads at night.

1990s, Various Locations: A wave of sightings across Appalachia, including reports of livestock (chickens, dogs, goats) being killed by an unknown predator.

2001, Danville, New Hampshire: A creature matching the Devil Monkey description was reported outside the Appalachian region, suggesting a wider range.

2009, Lewis County, Kentucky: Multiple witnesses reported seeing a black, baboon-like creature near rural roads.

What Could They Be?

Cryptozoologists have proposed several theories:

Escaped Primates: Baboons, macaques, or other Old World monkeys may have escaped from zoos, private collections, or circuses and established breeding populations.

Unknown Species: North America may harbor an undiscovered primate species, perhaps related to prehistoric primates that survived in isolated regions.

Misidentified Animals: Bears, large dogs, or other known animals might be misidentified under poor lighting conditions.

Mass Hysteria: Once reports begin, people may interpret ambiguous sightings as Devil Monkeys due to expectation.

The Problem

No physical evidence of Devil Monkeys has been obtained:

• No bodies have been recovered
• No clear photographs exist
• No skeletal remains have been found
• No scientific study has documented the creatures

This lack of evidence makes the phenomenon difficult to evaluate scientifically.

Cultural Context

Devil Monkey reports cluster in Appalachia, a region with strong folklore traditions and many cryptid legends. The creatures may represent:

• A genuine unknown species
• A cultural phenomenon passed through communities
• Misinterpretation of known animals in a region where large predators are uncommon
• A combination of these factors

Continuing Sightings

Reports of Devil Monkeys continue into the present day. Online forums and paranormal databases contain accounts from recent years, suggesting the phenomenon - whatever its cause - has not gone away.

Whether escaped exotic animals, unknown primates, or collective misidentification, something in the Appalachian hills continues to be seen, reported, and feared.

Sources

• Cryptozoological literature and witness databases