Duck-footed Dum-dum - [Fearsome Critter]

The Duck-footed Dum-dum - [Fearsome Critter] -

• About this Critter: Not many fish around lately??? – That's because the "Duckfooted‑dum‑dum" has been scared away thanks to noisy game hunters. ‑ Fish decide its spawning season only when this creature plays its back like a drum. – it is worth note: despite the name, its not an insult "Dum dum" more likely refers to the drumming sound its tails makes as it beats its back like a timpany - it is very timid, usually avoiding humans. ‑ it appears to be semi amphibious having scales, but oddly, it has no mouth, so if the drumming is meant to attract fish, there's no explanation for what benefit to the creature! ...Though, some records say it was for defence...

• History: The dum-dum appeared in [1922] "YARNS OF THE BIG WOODS" illustrated by Art S Childs: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/65229388/1922-08-03-yarns-of-the-big-woods-the/ 

in the same year it was further elaborated on by readers-submitted columns in "Tenderfoot tales" which ran in the Idaho statesmen 1922. - According to them: according to Darwin's third volume, it evolved from a skunk-like creature called the "duck foot" from east Africa, where it evolved its drum to scare off natives, it was also an invasive species in the states so thats why game hunters where after it, apparently the creatures where totally deaf!

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95896381/1922-11-26-tenderfoot-talesthe/

Sticker Art by @Samkalensky (yo thats me!) - Part of my Fearsome Critters/Cryptids sticker collection, weather resistant 4" Glossy sticker. Check my shop & follow @samkalensky for many more!