Case file · Fairy lore
Kalanoro
Small, hairy forest people of Malagasy folklore with long nails and backward feet, said to steal food or children and grant gifts to those they favour.
1900 CE · -18.90, 47.50 · status: legend
The account
Kalanoro are described across Madagascar as spirits who once lived among people and withdrew to caves and forests. Some writers have speculated they reflect memories of extinct giant lemurs.
The sceptical view
Folklore; no physical evidence.