As long as humans have been around, we’ve tried explaining things we’ve seen through legends and stories. Cultures all around the world have some interesting and terrifying legends about some incredible animals. Here are some of the animals that could have inspired these ancient myths that have ingrained themselves in our minds.
The Kraken
The Kraken is one of the most prominent mythical creatures that many cultures that ventured out to sea allegedly saw. Today, the Kraken that both Norse warriors and whalers saw was most likely a giant squid; although very rare, it’s possible they used to be more prominent near the surface of the ocean, even if these days they stick to the deepest parts of the water.
Mermaids
Sailors often saw humanoid figures in the water and that’s how the legend of the mermaid was spread. The figures that were seen as mermaids were probably manatees, as they have a humanoid appearance when swimming in the water. The mermaid has been popular in media for sometimes now and doesn’t seem like it will slow down anytime soon.
Pouakai
The Pouakai is an enormous bird from Maori culture that is said to be able to pick up a full-grown human and fly off with them. It is often seen as a symbol of power. The real-life animal behind the legend is likely Haast’s eagle, the largest bird of prey to ever exist, weighing around 40 pounds.
Unicorn
The unicorn needs no introduction. The mythical horse with a single horn could have been propagated by sightings of the Indian rhinoceros, which had a single horn instead of the modern rhinoceros. The unicorn is rooted deep in many myths, now symbolizing purity and magic.
Fenrir
Fenrir is an enormous wolf that originates in Norse mythology. The legend of Fenrir enforces fear but also a profound respect for nature. The real life animals behind Fenrir could have been particularly large wolves that were around at the same time as many Norse cultures.
El Chupacabra
The Chupacabra is a mythic animal similar to a canine that inhabits parts of both American continents. It is said in the legend to feed on the blood of livestock. Real-world inspirations for the Chupacabra could have been dogs with mange or rabies.
Nemean Lion
Greek mythology speaks of a terrifying lion that terrorized the city of Nemea in Ancient Greece. In the legend, Hercules was the one that was tasked with bringing down the animal. The story could be directly linked to real lions that lived in the Southern part of Ancient Greece that went extinct around 3000 years ago.
Werewolves
Werewolves have been an integral part of the mythos of many different cultures. In particular, ragged wolves could have been linked to humans with hypertrichosis, a condition that causes excessive hair growth. Similarly, people suffering from other diseases could have been thought to be the wolves people saw around the outskirts of villages at night.
Jackalope
The jackalope is a mythical rabbit like animal with the antlers of an antelope. Seen in the American west, an explaination for this legend could be people coming across rabbits with the rare Shope papilloma virus, which causes horn like growths to appear on their body.
Chinese Dragon
The Chinese dragon may be equally as recognizable as its European cousins. They are important in Chinese culture and could have been inspired by the Chinese alligator. The link to the Chinese dragon being a guardian of rain could strengthen this theory.
Legends Of Gorillas
Over 200 years ago, explorers finding gorillas for the first time propagated myths around them, with the explorer Hanno calling them “hairy women.” Gorillas were rediscovered in West Africa in the 19th century when they were recognized as real animals.
Behemoth
The behemoth is a creature of large stature that is described in many different cultures, including biblical scriptures. The animal that was seen and described in these legends could have been the hippopotamus, whose size and hostility, when threatened, could have reinforced the legend.
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