Encounter Atlas
The Tailypo is the star of a classic Appalachian and Southern 'jump tale', told to make listeners leap at the last line. In the usual version a hungry old hunter living alone in the woods with his hounds chops the tail off a strange animal and eats it. That night the creature comes back again and again, asking for its 'tailypo', and each time one of his dogs chases it off and never returns.
With the dogs gone, the creature reaches the man in his bed. Gentler versions end with only the cabin's chimney left standing. The animal is usually described as dog-sized and dark, with glowing eyes and bobcat-like ears.
It is a folktale rather than a sighting report, and it is well known from storytelling festivals and Joanna Galdone's 1977 picture book.
What witnesses report
- A dark, dog-sized animal with glowing eyes
- Scratching at a cabin at night
- A voice asking for its tail
Famous cases
Seen the Tailypo?
Tell us what happened. Every report is read by a person before it goes on the map, and you can stay anonymous.
