Since the dawn of time, people have been telling stories. One of the most popular stories that gets passed down from generation to generation is the legend of the Rougarou, Cajun Country’s answer to Bigfoot. Over the years there have been many different stories about this mythical creature in Louisiana, a common occurrence with oral traditions like this one.

Under daylight, the swamps and bayous of Louisiana are some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the entire country...
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...but under the cloak of darkness, many believe that a creature lurks in the shadows.
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And no, we're not talking about gators.
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But you should 100% be on the lookout for alligators if you find yourself in the swamps at night.

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That creature is the Rougarou, a terrifying creature described as a werewolf-looking beast that roams the swamps around Acadiana and the Greater New Orleans area.
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That gator is looking pretty good right now, huh?
The Cajun legend has been around for hundreds of years, with roots that go back to French settlers.
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The French actually have a similar story of the Loup-garou.
Described as having the head of a wolf and a human body, there are several versions of the Rougarou.
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In one version, the beast hunts down and kills anyone who doesn’t follow the rules of Lent.
In another version, the Rougarou is under a spell for 101 days and during that time, he turns unknowing victims into a Rougarou by drawing blood.
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In this version, the Rougarou is in human form during the day, only transforming at night, meaning he could blend in with society and no one would ever know!

While most likely these stories are cautionary tales meant to keep kids from wandering into dangerous situations, it does make you think! Have you been told a different story about the Rougarou? Tell your version of this mythical creature in Louisiana in the comments below!

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