Humanoid Coyote Sighting in Oklahoma: Mysterious Upright Canine Encounter Near Talihina
In June 2017, an Oklahoma resident shared an unusual experience involving an upright walking coyote near her home in a rural area outside Talihina. The witness, who has spent her entire life in the community, reported several unsettling incidents that began with loud, unfamiliar sounds from the woods and later escalated to a sighting of a tall, dark figure with distinct canine features.
Despite her husband's familiarity with local wildlife and several attempts to identify the source of the disturbances, neither he nor other community members could explain what she described. This encounter has prompted discussion and calls for others who may have experienced something similar to come forward.
Key Takeaways
The article introduces an unusual wildlife encounter in rural Oklahoma.
The witness describes repeated disturbances and a direct sighting of the creature.
Community responses and cultural perspectives on the event remain varied.
Summary of the Eyewitness Account
Details About the Eyewitness
The witness is a 48-year-old woman who has lived in the same rural town in southeastern Oklahoma for her entire life.
She reports no previous encounters with unusual wildlife or unexplained events before this incident.
Her daily routine involves returning home from work in the evening, having dinner, and sitting on her back porch to read the newspaper.
Her husband, experienced in hunting and familiar with local wildlife, was similarly perplexed by the sounds and events she described.
Description of the Site and Scene
Table 1: Relevant Location Information
Feature Description Town Small town in southeastern Oklahoma, near a wooded area and a lake Proximity Porch faces woods, woods start approximately 50 feet from the house Surroundings Large wooded area, lake about 800 feet away, small yard nearby Time of Events Typically around 10:30–10:45 p.m.
The witness's house is situated in a secluded part of town, with her back porch offering a direct view into dense woods.
The events often occurred at night, when the area was dark except for the illumination from the porch light.
Wildlife such as deer are present, but the reported creature stood apart due to its unusual appearance and behavior.
List of Notable Environmental Factors:
Limited visibility at night, with only the porch light partially illuminating the yard.
The woods serve as a natural barrier and are close to the house.
Encounters involved both sound (shrill, loud noises) and visual sightings (bright yellow eyes, large upright figure).
Timeline of Noteworthy Occurrences
Unusual Event Reported on June 1, 2017
A resident of a rural neighborhood near Talihina, Oklahoma, described an extraordinary encounter that took place late in the evening. While sitting on her back porch reading, she heard an intense, unfamiliar noise similar to a pig's squeal, coming from the direction of a nearby lake. This was immediately followed by the sound of heavy, bipedal footsteps in the woods.
Three deer suddenly raced past her home, apparently fleeing from whatever was moving through the trees. Although she initially assumed the deer had caused the disturbance, the sequence of events and the sounds she heard raised doubts about that explanation.
Ongoing Disturbing Noises
After the initial occurrence, further disturbances became a pattern. The same piercing cry was heard on four separate nights over the next weeks. On several occasions, her husband—an experienced hunter—joined her outside and was unable to identify the source of the unsettling noise. His lack of recognition for the sound added to the uncertainty surrounding these events.
The couple kept a routine of spending time on the porch during the evenings, paying heightened attention to sounds from the wooded area bordering their property.
Summary of Unusual Sounds:
Date Number of Occurrences Witnesses Present Description June 1, 2017 1 Resident & husband departure Loud, shrill, unfamiliar Following weeks 4 Resident and/or husband Similar shrill sound
Repeated Visual and Auditory Experiences
On June 13, 2017, while talking with her daughter on the phone outside in the evening, the resident felt a strong sense of unease. She spotted two vivid yellow eyes staring at her from the woods, positioned at least seven feet above the ground, just a short distance into the brush.
Alarmed, she retreated indoors but continued to observe from her kitchen window. A large, dark form with elongated arms and a pronounced snout became visible under the faint porch light. The eyes continued to shine and appeared to track her as the figure eventually turned and ran into the woods.
She recounted the event immediately to her family. That night, her daughter and son-in-law stayed at the house, with the son-in-law armed for protection.
Observed Characteristics:
Height of eyes: Estimated at 7 feet from the ground
Notable features: Long, thick arms with fingers and long nails; pronounced snout and pointed ears
Behavior: Figure watched the house for a short time, then disappeared into the woods
Attempts to find tracks or additional physical evidence the next morning were unsuccessful. The resident’s neighbors, mostly elderly, reported nothing unusual. Local authorities were contacted, but no further information about similar incidents was provided.
Noteworthy Details:
Family believes it could be a trickster spirit, but the witness describes it as a large, upright coyote-like creature.
No physical trace or community reports have been confirmed.
Examination of the Bipedal Coyote Sighting
Notable Traits and Physical Features
The witness described the creature as a large, shadowy figure with a height of approximately seven feet. Its eyes were a striking bright yellow and situated high above the ground, just a few feet inside the wooded brush. The figure displayed long, thick arms with fingers ending in extended nails, which is unusual for typical coyotes.
It had a long snout and prominent pointed ears, reinforcing the similarity to a coyote. Its movement was upright and bipedal, seen walking and eventually running on two legs rather than four. The overall body structure was robust and imposing, much larger than an ordinary coyote.
Parallels With Other Standing Canine Reports
Encounters with walking canines are not unheard of, with past reports featuring upright hyenas, panthers, and even dingoes. Yet, none had previously involved a coyote walking on two legs. Other upright canines may share characteristics like glowing eyes and imposing size, but usually differ in species-specific features.
A quick comparison can be summarized in the table below:
Reported Animal Height Eye Color Ears Limbs Documented Locomotion Upright Coyote ~7 feet Bright Yellow Long, pointed Long, thick Bipedal (walking, running) Upright Hyena Varies Varies Rounded Muscular Bipedal/walking Upright Panther Tall Usually reflective Short, rounded Feline, strong Occasionally bipedal Upright Dingo Slightly taller Varies Pointed Lean Occasional bipedality
Despite minor similarities, the upright coyote stands out due to its specific physical details and the lack of previous sightings. The combination of its size, distinctive arm structure, and bright eyes makes this report distinct from other noted bipedal canine creatures.
Accounts From Bystanders and Local Residents
Reactions From Close Relatives
The primary witness, a lifelong resident of rural Southeastern Oklahoma, immediately reached out to her daughter after the unusual sighting.
Her daughter and son-in-law responded quickly, arriving that night to provide support and bring a sense of security. The son-in-law brought a rifle as a precaution.
The witness shared the experience with her husband the following morning. He, drawing from his Oage heritage, suggested a possible connection to animal spirits, specifically referencing trickster beings, yet expressed uncertainty due to the physical details described.
Extended family stayed at the home overnight after the event, showing concern and a desire to protect their relative.
Communication With Local Officials
The witness’s husband contacted local authorities to ask if similar incidents had been reported. According to the family, officials did not provide any information and were not forthcoming about other reports.
Key Points:
Action Taken Outcome Husband contacted police No details shared by authorities, remained discreet No evidence found No tracks or signs detected by the witness Neighbors’ response No unusual activity noted, likely due to staying inside
Feedback from community members was limited, as most neighbors tend to stay indoors and had not observed any related phenomena.
Cultural Understandings and Explanations
Trickster Figure Interpretation
The witness’s husband, who identifies as part Osage, suggested that the figure sighted could represent a trickster or shape-shifting animal spirit. In some Indigenous cultures, such spirits are believed to take animal forms and appear to humans as warnings or lessons. He recommended that the best response might be to ignore the entity, implying that such spirits may lose interest if not acknowledged.
Key points:
Trickster figures often appear unexpectedly and defy easy explanation.
Cultural teachings may advise non-engagement with such beings.
The witness herself was unsure, stating the creature did not seem spiritual but instead looked physically real and resembled a large bipedal coyote.
Cultural View Description Animal Spirits Entities that may appear in animal form Trickster Figures Known for unexpected appearances and ambiguous motives Traditional Advice Sometimes to ignore the spirit to avoid further contact
Alternative Naturalistic Ideas
Despite the discussion of folkloric beings, both the witness and her husband considered more mundane explanations. No footprints or physical evidence were located at the scene, and none of the neighbors, who tend to stay indoors, reported anything strange. Additionally, although the husband is an experienced hunter, he was unable to attribute the loud, shrill noises or the encounter to any known local wildlife.
Other possible explanations discussed:
Unknown or rare animal behavior
A misidentification of an animal under low visibility conditions
The influence of the rural and wooded setting on perception at night
Observation Checklist:
No tracks or physical traces found
No matching reports from neighbors or authorities
Repeated unusual sounds, but no clear source identified
These points highlight the uncertainty about whether the experience was supernatural, natural, or potentially a unique combination of circumstances.
Final Thoughts and Request for Additional Incidents
Given the unusual nature of the event described, it is important to remain alert for any similar encounters. Reports involving upright walking canines—especially coyotes—are extremely rare and there is limited documentation in Southeastern Oklahoma or elsewhere.
To assist in further investigation, please consider:
Describing any firsthand experiences with bipedal canines, especially if observed in the Talihina region.
Noting the specific characteristics witnessed, such as size, posture, sounds, eye color, and any animal behaviors.
Indicating the time, date, and precise location of the sighting.
Reporting whether any physical evidence, such as prints or tracks, was found.
Requested Information Details to Provide Description of Sighting Creature’s appearance, behavior Time and Place Date, time, and location Physical Evidence Any tracks or unusual marks Witness Background Prior experiences, familiarity with local wildlife
Individuals with direct knowledge or experiences related to upright walking canines in this or nearby areas are encouraged to submit their reports. Continued documentation may clarify whether this incident is an isolated case or part of a broader phenomenon.