Smeet Frog - [Fearsome Critter]

Smeet Frog - [Fearsome Critter] - aka: "Ypsilanti SmeetFrog." "Arctic Smeet" "noodle frog"

• About this Critter: Named & identified by for their unique “feeble twittering croak” this flying furry frog is capable of gliding long distances by the thin webbed-membrane between their fore and hind legs. The Smeet frog is the only amphibian which is capable of growing a fuzzy coat which over time, accumulates moss giving it a natural camouflage as well as allowing it to survive in subzero temperatures: Each fall, mid-October, these frogs migrate from somewhere on the northern coast of Labrador, Canada, down the Huron River to “Frog Island Park" in Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA where they populate the river banks numbering in the hundreds of thousands; although, they are a rare sight as they are nocturnal and only come out at night. - They are simultaneously known, feared and adored by locals as capturing or hunting them is unlawful. - Rumour has it that Smeets may also be dangerous to human touch as they are venomous, may carry leprosy, or will lay their eggs under the skin. [Doesn’t stop some folks from going "noodling" for smeets at ungodly hours] I've also heard they can also be attracted by the sweet sound of jazz. 

• History: The 'Smeet Frog' is local Ypsilanti cryptid, not too dissimilar to the "snipe" the story of it dates back to at least 1996 where it seems to have originated as a both a “Blair witch project" parody & likely began as an April fools day prank. - As the now defunct “official website” once stated: 

“On April 1st, 1996, three student filmmakers came to Ypsilanti to make a documentary about the legendary Ypsilanti Smeet Frog.

Three years later, a beer cooler was found floating in the Huron River containing video footage from their project.”

[The smeet frog featured on both the website and sign]

Weather or not this was an actual film. Seems to be lost media today, as sadly several of the websites other images, as well as the .wav file concerning its call "Smeet-Smeet!!” have become broken, as such, further information about whoever made the website originally is difficult to find. Apparently at one point there was even an official smeet cafe! - The website goes on to give a supposed “Myth & local History“ behind the critter which goes as such:

"The Smeet Frog is a species completely unique to the Huron River. Discovered in 1845 by Eastern Michigan University naturalist Peter Boggs, the small furry amphibian lives in the darkest eddies of the murky Huron. Once hunted by Native Americans for its food value and ceremonial significance, the Smeet Frog is one of the more mysterious inhabitants of Michigan. Appearing only at night, the Smeet Frog's unique but feeble, twittering croak can be heard on Winter evenings, during its brief mating season. Camouflaged by its furry coloration, this remarkable creature spends most of its time in hibernation beneath mossy stones. Under normal circumstances, the Smeet's fur accumulates a layer of moss, making it invisible to all but the most attuned nature-lover. Although its population numbers in the tens of thousands, this all-but neglected species has not yet been put on the endangered species list. The area of land known as Frog Island is thought to have been named by former Ypsilanti mayor, Smedly J. Snodgrass, after hearing the Smeet Frog's enchanting call, one unseasonably warm February evening. 

Perhaps more notable than the website is the Landmark/"Info marker" Sometime around 1996-1999: An information marker accredited to the “Ypsilanti hysterical society” appeared near the tridge (triple bridge) because of this, the smeet became a well loved in-joke/infamous land mark in the community. - it was removed a number of times by the city. - in 1998, a concerned teacher also wrote in to the Ypsilanti courier, complaining about the plaques inaccuracy, the "Smeet Frog Preservation Society” also wrote back in response to address her concerns.

The markers most recent information goes as follows: 

“The Smeet frog is not only capable of flight by way of webbing connected to each leg, but it is also the only known amphibian with a furry coat. Each fall, starting in mid October, the Smeet makes a tortuous journey south, from the coast of Labrador to its winter nesting grounds in the Huron River. Ypsilanti's stretch of the Huron River has a particularly high concentration of Smeet frogs. Because they remain nestled in the mossy bottom of the river, it is uncommon to see a Smeet, however, you might identify one by its feeble twittering croak, Smeet frogs are an endangered species. Capturing or hunting them is unlawful
If you find a Smeet carcass, notify the Michigan DNR immediately for identification and appropriate removal. Do not attempt to move it as Smeets are known to carry a rare, contagious Leprosy-like disease that is often fatal, especially among children and the elderly.”

[close-up, source]

In 2006, the parks entry sign was briefly changed to "SMEETFROG PARK" before the city once again decided to tear it down, one local blogger laments the city not embracing the smeet as a mascot. (Indeed, a shame.)

in 2014, an article titled “legend of the smeet frog” by “James Mann” about the markers various appearances & disappearances between 1999-2013, by this point the marker detailing the smeet had been removed by the city twice, stolen and apparently 'taken to up river to Labrador once.' - The 2013 edition of the plaque was updated with a little more info and made "in memory of “Tom dodd” (1935-2013) Tom was a local face in the community worked for the paper, and notably helped to organize the jazz concerts that frog island was locally famous for. It seems unclear if he had any role in the creation of the smeet’s lore or not, but both he and the smeet where certainly loved by the community, I’ve seen one post also refer to him as “The mysterious Mr Dodd.”  - perhaps one of his students knew he liked the joke and dedicated the most recent iteration to him. - Sadly, the most recent photos of the marker I can find show that the print on the marker has again become somewhat faded...

Since then, the location has also a poke stop/gym for sometime

in and around 2004, the smeet frog had two shows at the local Dreamland theatre. Both a puppet show titled "THE SMEET FROG CONSPIRACY" & a sequel play titled "MYSTERY AT THE WATER TOWER" (which featured extraterrestrial smeet frogs.) - both the creators Kirk Kitchen and Nina Venturi are featured in articles in the “Ann Arbor Observer” in following years, sadly i have yet to stumble upon any videos of the performances. (If anyone finds something let me know and I’ll add a link here!)

The smeet frog was also featured in a catchy song about the creature by Monkey power trio.

Like all good critters, the Smeet even has both a local beer and a homebrewed ale named after them!!

In November of 2022, a smeet frog-man ran for mayor @smeetfrog4ypsi.

Most recently; in late 2023, An NTG Original Short student Film "Annie Ypsi and the Case of the Missing Smeet" was shared to YouTube, the plot centres around the beloved landmark plack going missing yet again.

The smeet feels like something that could be real, Both hairy frogs and flying frogs do indeed both exist, (just not both at once, or in Labrador. which, despite popular belief, does indeed have frogs!) Ultimately its another fur bearing critter with parallel nods to the fur bearing trout and a few others. 🐸 because of the rumours that they're dangerous they’ve also been compared to as a relative to the "drop bear." 

Art sticker by Sam Kalensky (yo, that’s me!) part of my Fearsome critters & Cryptids collection of stickers! Check my shop and consider support my work for more!!