AKA: White Devils, Shadow Beasts

Tales of “black and white things” abound in West Virginia; as they share many characteristics with other cryptids, they are often misidentified. Most famously, a white-haired Pokim was seen in the TNT area of Point Pleasant on July, 1973, sparking rumors of Snarly Yow and Sheepsquatch activity. When all physical aspects are looked at as a whole, however, Pokim are easily distinguishable from other four-legged beasts.

Pokim have several distinct attributes, aside from their black or white hides. First, the creatures have been most often described as “bear-apes”, having large, round bodies, furry ears, and hairless faces, hands, and feet; on each foot, four primate-like digits reside. On top of their heads, the animals have two small, slightly curved horns; males also grow long tusks from their maw. Within a long snout and under a crest-like, bulbous nose and pronounced brow, 50 teeth protrude: tiny incisors, tricuspid molars, and large canines. The creatures have a long, hairless tail that constitutes almost half of their total length and assists during climbing, resting, and hunting; they can stand on two legs to survey an area, or reach food and new locations, though they move on all four.

Much lighter than they look, Pokim are marsupials that are 6.5 - 7.5 ft long and weigh between 26 - 30 lbs. Their fur is comprised of long, shaggy, white or black awn hair; white-haired Pokim are more likely to be female and black-haired Pokim more likely to be male. The skin color of these creatures depends on their hair color, mirroring the hue－giving dark Pokim excellent night camouflage and white-furred Pokim an advantage during the winter. The horns and nails of these animals are opposite their fur color, heavily contrasting against their bodies.

Like all marsupials, Pokim have bifurcated reproductive organs. The beasts incessantly secrete a foul liquid from glands near the anus, causing those downwind or near the creature to pick up a scent similar, but worse than sulphur; this horrible smell allows Pokim to find each other. The beasts also add to their scent by rolling on dead animals, dirt, and forest debris－ which tends to make white-furred individuals appear brown/tan in bright light. Additionally, the creatures don’t groom themselves or others, always having dirty, matted hair that grows more unkempt each year.

Daily Life and Development

Pokim begin life the size of a bumblebee, born alongside as many as nineteen siblings; these younglings crawl into their mother’s pouch, several of which never make it to the pocket－ becoming lost, abandoned, or squashed. As the babies develop, they begin going outside of their pouch; there, they hold onto their mother’s back while she hunts, going back to safety when they feel overwhelmed or afraid. If separated from their mother, they emit a shrill sneezing noise, drawing her attention; mothers respond to their offspring’s calls by making a highpitched clicking noise. Usually, only thirteen of these offspring make it to adulthood, as mothers can only nurse that many at once, others more likely to fall victim to illness or predation. Offspring are weaned after 90 days, and removed completely from the pouch; at this time, they are independent and sent off on their own. They double in size within the next year. On average, Pokim live for 4 years.

Pokim are nocturnal scavengers. At night, they can be heard rummaging through trash cans, camps, dumpsters, or dump sites; they also seek out carrion, following the scent of death. If these options bring little reward, hunger forces them to hunt small animals (like squirrels, mice, cats, chickens, etc.) or forage nuts, fruit, and roots. Pokim are not stealthy creatures, relying instead upon surprise and targeting sluggish or injured victims. Though they have little endurance, they can run up to 50 feet/sec.

Unless Pokim are with young, they live and travel alone. The beasts are excellent climbers and can hang from sturdy branches or precipices with their strong tails - which act as a fifth limb; juveniles (maturity reached at 8 months - 1 year) sleep by hanging from their tail. Adults usually cannot find a secure enough perch to do so, using other large creature’s abandoned nests or simply sleeping at the base of trees instead. Pokim climb trees to get a good view of their surroundings before pouncing on prey; in human communities, they clamber up houses or stand tall on two legs to look for meals, using their tails to brace falls and assist in difficult climbs.

During January and February, Pokim seek mates. The two animals call to each other, making clicking, smacking sounds with their tongues and cheeks. Males follow scent trails left by females, their dark hair accentuating their forms. Hidden, females observe from afar, engaging only if their interest is spurred; if the female is interested, the pair will circle each other, as if dancing. Females only take one partner per season, but after mating the two separate, likely never meeting again; if a second male tries to partner with a female, she will become violent. When Pokim become stressed or angered, they hiss, the sound increasing in pitch and frequency with increased emotion. The bite of a Pokim is laden with bacteria; most attacks become infected, usually lethal to wildlife.

Pokim can be lured by rotten fruit, rotten meat, or other garbage placed in an easily accessible trash can. They may react ferociously to humans, but can be scared off by bright light and dog whistles. Pokim are also devious beasts, playing dead when encountering a foe they believe to be able to overpower them; when this occurs, the creature should not be approached or attempted to be placed in containment - as soon as its enemy draws near, with their defenses lowered, it strikes, aiming for the head, neck, or torso. If no one else remains to oppose it and its adversary is weakened, it will continue to attack, feasting on flesh; yet, if the Pokim’s odds aren’t in its favor, it flees.