The Devil's Footprints

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The Devil's Footprints was the name given to a peculiar phenomenon that occurred in Devon, England on 8 February, 1855. After a light snowfall, during the night, a series of hoof-like marks appeared in the snow. These "footprints" continued throughout the countryside for a total of over 100 miles, and, although veering at various points, for the greater part of their course followed straight lines. Houses, rivers, haystacks and other obstacles were travelled straight over, and footprints appeared on the tops of snow-covered roofs and high walls which lay in the footprints' path, as well as leading up to and exiting various drain pipes of as small as a four inch diameter.

This "phenomenon" is still present around the world today. In Australia however incidents may now be attributed to Hopping mice. The print left behind after a mouse leaps resembles that of a cloven animal, due to the motions of its limbs when it jumps.

Some contend it remains a mystery to this day, although it has been suggested that some bizarre meteorological phenomenon was at work. Reports of similar anomalous, obstacle-unheeded footprints exist from other parts of the world, although none is of such a scale as that of the case of the Devil's Footprints. Others have connected the footprints with the contemporaneous sightings of Spring Heeled Jack, a mysterious figure known for his extraordinary jumps.

[edit] Theories

Kangaroos are one of the prime suspects of this incident. Indeed, a kangaroo was owned by a person living nearby. However it is claimed that the kangaroo was in it's cage that night.