A kushtaka is a fairy creature of the Tlingits tribe (Alaska).
They have the appearance of a land otter, but are usually around the size of a man.
Kushtakas are usually known to be malevolent, always at war with a village's shaman, but there are a few tales where they were actually beneficial to the Tlingits.
They are known for kidnapping human babies. Once they have a human baby for a long time, the baby will become a kushtaka, too.