According to "Yamato Honzo," ''Shii'' is said to have lived in Suo Province (present-day Yamaguchi Prefecture) and Tsukushi Province (present-day Fukuoka Prefecture), and to have harmed cattle and horses and it was not easy to catch as it was very smart and could move very fast.
『大和本草』では黒眚は周防国（現・山口県）や筑紫国（現・福岡県）におり、やはり牛馬に害をなすもので、賢い上に素早いのでなかなか捕えることはできないとある。