Splintercat

The splintercat (Felynx arbordiffisus) is a legend and fictional animal in the United States.

The splintercat is a nocturnal feline animal of great ferocity. It flies through the air with terrific speed and when it hits a large tree, it knocks the branches off, withers the trunk and leaves it standing like a silvery ghost. These dead snags can be seen in many parts of the Pacific Northwest. The splinter cat performs this feat that it is named after to expose bees and honey to eat. However, the act of breaking open trees with its head leaves it with a constant headache, which causes it always to be in a foul mood. Accordingly, one is advised to never approach a splintercat.

"Splintercat Creek", found in the northern Cascade Range of Oregon is named after this legendary animal.

The Splintercat appears in the book "The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles" by Julie Andrews Edwards. This particular Splintercat answers to the Prime Minister of Whangdoodland and also enjoys playing Cat's Cradle.

Sources

• Blegen, Theodore C. (1963). Minnesota, a history of the state. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. LC 63013124. 
• Botkin, Benjamin Albert (1998). The American people : stories, legends, tales, traditions, and songs. New Brunswick, N.J.: Transaction Publishers. ISBN 1-56000-984-5. 
• Cox, William Thomas (1984). Fearsome creatures of the lumberwoods : with a few desert and mountain beasts. Sacramento: Bishop Publishing. LC 85111981. http://www.fearsomecreaturesofthelumberwoods.com/pg37.htm.  (This link is for original 1910 edition.)
• Edwards, Julie Andrews (1974). The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles. New York: Harper and Row. ISBN 0-06-021805-3. 
• Rose, Carol (2000). Giants, monsters, and dragons : an encyclopedia of folklore, legend, and myth. Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO. ISBN 0-87436-988-6. 
• "National Wildlife and Conservation Digest: Covering the North American Continent"