Fur bearing trout – [Fearsome Critter]

Fur-Bearing Trout – [Fearsome Critter] 

• About this Critter: A ‘Very Rare’ Species of Furry freshwater fish, 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: Probably the most ‘famous’ fearsome critter (next to the jackalope.) because it was quite obviously a taxidermy 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 and even fooled the donor. of course ’Furried Fish’ have been talked about since at least the 1800’s! (“Could such things exist in the new world?”) – The cotton mold known as “saprolegnia” can infect trout, which similar to the jackalope, might explain the inspiration as well as 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.

Of course Leopard spotted variants exist too, apparently some places claim that the trouts fur made for excellent mittens. – 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, Cougarfish, Giddyfish

Sticker Art by @Samkalensky (yo thats me!) – Part Fearsome critters/Cryptids Collection, weather resistant 4″ sticker or mounted 8.5×11 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.