Fur bearing trout - [Fearsome Critter]

Fur-Bearing Trout - [Fearsome Critter] 

• About this Critter: A ‘Very Rare’ Species of Furry freshwater trout; thought to have grown a thick coat of (usually) white fur to maintain their body heat in the icy depths of Lake Superior (Ottowa) where they spawn.

• History: This is probably the most ‘famous’ fearsome critter (next to the jackalope.) because it was quite obviously a taxidermied hoax, still, every so often, someone catches a "furry trout" (I suppose its tradition.)

Although this particular taxidermied fish [famously hosted at @NtlMuseumsScot] dates back to 1959 even fooled the donor, ’Furried Fish' have been talked about since at least the 1800's! ("Could such things exist in the new world?") - The cotton mould known as “saprolegnia” can infect trout, which similar to the jackalope, might explain early American sightings. -

[last pic famously hosted at @NtlMuseumsScot]

American Variants such as the "Red Furred herring" of the friendly buckhorn have also popped up since the 1950's.

There is also a similar “Shaggy Trout” from Icelandic Mythology (known as "The Loðsilungur") said to be a bad omen to those that catch it

• see also: Rogue taxidermy, Jackalope.

Sticker Art by @Samkalensky (yo thats me!) - Part Fearsome critters/Cryptids Collection, weather resistant 4" sticker or mounted 8.5x11 print. Check my shop & follow @samkalensky for many more!

Note: This sticker is available in both  “mounted and unmounted” versions or as a large size print.