New Jersey Devil

Here's one of the rarest critters I've come across, a Jersey Devil. Sorry for the poor quality, but these guys are extremely reclusive, and many NJ naturalists go their lives without getting a good look at them.

Taxonomically, we're unsure where to place Jersey Devils. No known tetrapod evolved with 6 limbs: 2 wings, 2 arms, and 2 legs. This seems to rule out placing them in with mammals (including bats), birds, reptiles, or amphibians. Even a huge insect seems unlikely since when they have wings they have 6 legs. Until more research is done, the classification is unclear.

Little is known about their diet. Though there have been claims of them killing livestock, no such attacks have been verified, and the claims are generally deemed apocryphal. 

Normally one needs to go to the Pine Barrens to have a (still slim) chance of finding these critters, though I spotted this one at Washington Valley Park here in Bridgewater. And yes, I was fortunate to hear their signature "blood-curdling scream". It being spring, I assume this is used either to establish a breeding territory or to attract a mate.

By This file was derived from:  Jersey Devil Philadelphia Post 1909.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1747843

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