The Slide-Rock Bolter (Macrostoma saxiperrumptus) is a legendary beast that was first reported by lumberjacks in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is described as a huge whale-like animal with a massive head, small eyes, and a mouth full of sharp teeth. Its tail has hooks that allow it to cling to the top of steep mountains, where it waits for unsuspecting prey.
How does it hunt?
The Slide-Rock Bolter is not a fast or agile creature, but it has a clever way of catching its food. It waits until it sees a potential victim below, such as a tourist, a hiker, or a lumberjack. Then, it releases its tail hooks and slides down the slope at high speed, lubricated by grease that drips from its mouth. As it slides, it scoops up everything in its path with its gaping mouth, leaving behind a trail of devastation. It then uses its momentum to climb up another mountain, where it repeats the process.
Is it real?
The Slide-Rock Bolter is considered to be a fearsome critter, a type of folkloric animal that was invented by lumberjacks to amuse themselves and scare newcomers. There is no scientific evidence for its existence, and most people regard it as a tall tale. However, some cryptozoologists have speculated that it could be based on a real animal, such as a prehistoric whale or an unknown species of land-dwelling fish.
Where can I learn more?
If you are curious about the Slide-Rock Bolter and other fearsome critters of the American wilderness, you can check out these sources:
- The Fearsome Creatures of the Lumberwoods (1910) by William T. Cox
- Cryptid Wiki: Slide-Rock Bolter
- A Book of Creatures: Slide-rock Bolter
- Cryptids Across the Atlas: Slide-Rock Bolter: The TRUE Story Behind This Colorado Cryptid
But be warned: you might never look at the mountains the same way again!