There are many iconic things to Maine, their wondrous coastline, rugged wilderness and delicious seafood. While most memories from those who visit are mostly sights and tastes, the locals would say that there is also a sound that can only be found in Maine. When you are hiking through one of their many parks, or fishing upon their incredible lakes, there is a chance you shall hear it. That distinctive slapping sound, like a canoe paddle striking the water. While outsiders may chalk it up to rowdy paddlers, the natives know better. That there is the sound of the iconic "Billdad," Maine's very own.
The billdad is not nearly as strange as some of the other creatures on this continent, but folks still find a charm to them. A beaked face, elongated hind legs and beaver-like tail make it a species of mixed parts. It is no wonder many have tried to tie its relations to the platypus, another seemingly chimeric species. While this creature is far from that region of the world, it does share its tiny range, as the billdad can only be found in Maine. It is the burning question of why this species has not been able to spread farther than that, as they do not seem that niche in their adaptation that they cannot thrive anywhere else. The current theory is that there is simply no room for them elsewhere, that the lakes in other states are too full of competitors and predators. Thus, they remain as one of the unique mascots of the Pine Tree State.
The billdad is relatively simple, until one bears witness to its hunting methods. They are piscivores, feeding upon fish that are preyed upon in the shallows. Billdads sit upon the shore, and wait for prey to come close to the surface. When opportunity presents itself, they shall leap over the surfacing fish and use their flattened tail to strike the water and fish. They essentially slap their food senseless, stunning fish long enough for them to grab them and tear them up with their hooked beak. The presence of a billdad is obvious from this sound, as they not only strike the water for hunting, but also to communicate with their kind. Predators on land and in water may face its hefty tail, but only when cornered, as the billdad prefers to flee. Their powerful legs allow them to jump incredible distances, launching themselves away from danger. But if you trap one, be prepared for a tail to the face, as they hop over foes and deliver and stunning slap.
The history of the billdad goes back to the natives of this region, who were impressed by the animal's agility and clever hunting method. The billdad was seen as a trickster, waiting for the unsuspecting before delivering a blow and bounding away into the reeds. Though they bore a fine pelt, the natives rarely hunted the billdad as they are a beast that cannot be eaten. Billdad flesh is poisonous, containing hallucinogenic properties that make the eater rather loopy and wild. Stories from then til now talk about this who partook in this forbidden meat and wound up jumping about like madmen or throwing themselves in the nearest lake. Since the billdads could not be eaten, hunting them was seen as wasteful, and typically frowned upon. However, when the Europeans came over with their lucrative fur trade, things were quick to change.
Fur hunters cared not if the billdad could be eaten, what they prized was their pelt. Thus, the species faced heavy hunting in these early days. Trapping was a common fate, though tales speak of how settlers enjoyed the game of shooting leaping billdad, finding amusing sport from it. Dogs would be sent into the reeds, which would flush out the billdad and force it to take a mighty leap. The challenge was to hit the beast in mid air, the precursor to skeet shooting it would seem. This rampant harvesting nearly spelt the end for the species, with some wondering if this action is why the billdad is only found in Maine. Perhaps they were more prevalent back then, but these actions decimated them and forced their kind to this single sanctuary. Thankfully, the species would not go extinct, able to hang on despite it all. In remote areas and forgotten lakes, the few billdads would continue until the time of conservation arose. The species was labeled as endangered and gained protection, finally giving them relief and safety.
However, this has not stopped the occasional poaching, which arose with the myth that billdad meat could be used to make a pleasing hallucinogen. Folks like to claim that this drug comes from an "old native recipe," from when the people of this land used it to awaken the senses and get closer to nature. One doesn't have to go far into this "tale" to find the racist parts, and it didn't take long to figure out its falseness. It is believed whoever recently originated this drek did so with the hopes of adding legitimacy to this drug, and the sense that it was some ancient creation. Obviously, poaching of the billdad is illegal, and so is possession of the shoddy drug that is derived from their bodies.
Outside of this pressure, the billdad does enjoy being an iconic species for the state of Maine, who value it as a mascot and a draw for tourists. Billdad plushies are a favorite, especially during the annual festival thrown in this critter's honor. It is complete with games and competitions like the Billdad Jump, Slaptail Ball and Splat-a-Smelt.
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And why not a Fearsome Critter too?!
