by Cole Herrold
Reptilian cryptids are a surprisingly
common phenomena. They have been reported in almost every state from New Jersey
to California, and most of their appearances are very uniform, implying they
are one in the same species. However, as with all lifeforms, there are examples
of diversity that seem to go far and beyond what the novice would consider to
be relatability. Near the city of Medford, one of the most unique variations of
this kind of cryptid was reported; the creature looked very much like the typical
reptoid with one major difference it had on its back, a pair of large leathery
wings.
It was in July of 1996 when one of the
most bizarre reptilian reports would occur with one of the most reputable
witnesses to come forward with their account. While the official name of the
witnesses is not revealed, what is revealed is that the first sighting of what
has become known as the Medford Lizard Man or the Highway 13 Reptile Man was
seen by a warden for Wisconsin's Department for Natural Resources (DNS). His account
adds a patina of extra intrigue due to his occupation. The warden was
travelling south down Highway 13 late one night when his attention was drawn to
a strange figure that appeared to be standing in the middle of the road. The
warden stared at the dark form attempting to make out who and what the
individual was doing. The warden came closer and closer to the figure, getting
so close that he almost hit the bizarre form. In the glowing headlights, the
warden realized to his horror that the figure was not a human as he had
previously thought but instead a repulsive reptilian that loomed large over his
car. The creature had shiny green scaly skin and was 6 to 7ft tall. The size
itself would have been alarming enough, but unlike other bizarre creature accounts,
the creature was not facing towards the woods but instead was staring right at
the driver. This supernatural stare down gave the warden more details to the
creature's form as the creature's humanoid form, while covered in scales, had
human-like arms and legs with long claws on the hands and feet. The warden,
still slowing down as he continued to make eye contact with the bizarre beast's
would come to be even more surprised as the reptilian unfurled a large 10-12ft
pair of wings and flew straight up over the warden's car. The warden reeling
from his sighting had thought that this was the last he would have seen the
creature, but as he looked in his rearview mirror, he saw the winged weirdo
descend in an unnatural way and land behind the car, still staring at the
warden as he sped off into the night.
