Today's Monster of the Day is sure to terrify you with the horse he rode in on. Strangely enough, I first heard of this skinless scare-jocky a few days ago while watching, of all things, Halloween Bake Wars on the Food Network. It gives you some real food for thought. Behold the dreaded Nuckalavee!

The nuckalavee is a horse-like demon from Orcadian folklore that combines equine and human elements. The nuckelavee's breath was thought to wilt crops and sicken livestock, and the creature was held responsible for droughts and epidemics on land despite being predominantly a sea-dweller.

A graphic description of the nuckelavee as it appears on land was given by an islander who claimed to have had a confrontation with it, but accounts describing the details of the creature's appearance are inconsistent. In common with many other sea-monsters, it is unable to tolerate fresh water, therefore, those it is pursuing have only to cross a river or stream to be rid of it. The nuckelavee is kept in confinement during the summer months by the Mither o' the Sea, an ancient Orcadian spirit, and the only one able to control it.

The nuckelavee is a mythical sea-creature that appears as a horse-like demon when it ventures onto land. A unique and solitary creature possessing extensive evil powers, its malevolent behavior can influence events throughout the islands. Islanders were terrified of the monster and would not speak its name without immediately saying a prayer. It was often found in the vicinity of a beach but would never come ashore if it was raining.

