wampus cat

One of the most widely known origin stories from the Cherokee tells of a woman who was transformed into the creature. A woman, either out of curiosity or to get revenge, disguised herself in the pelt of a mountain lion to secretly spy on a sacred ritual being performed by the men of her tribe. When she was discovered, a shaman cursed her, permanently fusing the mountain lion skin to her body. In this new half-human, half-cat form, she was doomed to forever roam the woods alone, filled with anger and sorrow.

Descriptions of the wampus cat differ but commonly include: A large, muscular, feline body, often resembling a mountain lion or bobcat. Distinctive, glowing yellow or red eyes. In some tales, it is said to have six legs, with four for running and two for fighting. A spine-chilling, wailing scream said to sound like a woman. Supernatural abilities, such as hypnosis, shape-shifting, or invisibility.