Snallygaster
Also known as: Schneller Geist, Snarly Yow
A half-bird, half-reptile terror from Maryland with a taste for livestock and legend.
Early 1700s (German settlers)
Frederick County, Maryland, USA
20-30 ft wingspan (est.)
Aggressive, predatory
Unconfirmed
The Lore
The Snallygaster is a dragon-like beast from central Maryland folklore, first described by German immigrants in the early 1700s. Its name derives from 'Schneller Geist,' meaning 'quick ghost.' In 1909, newspapers ran sensational accounts of a winged creature with a metallic beak, tentacles, and a single eye terrorizing Frederick County. Reports claimed even President Theodore Roosevelt considered canceling a safari to hunt it.
Body Type
Folklore Origin
Media Appearances
- Fantastic Beasts (Wizarding World reference)
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