11 mythical creatures that have real prototypes (12 photos)

Mythical characters of different nationalities of the world, whose prototypes are not at all associated with mysticism or anything supernatural.





Creepy Leviathan, mysterious killer Chupacabra, cold-blooded mermaids are creatures in whose existence people believed for some time a couple of decades ago (and they actually believed). These mythical the characters terrified children and adults; they became a part of folklore most countries of the world. However, over time it became clear that the atrocities these creatures are easily explained. It’s not for nothing that they say that fear has eyes great. To confirm this catchphrase, we have collected mythical characters whose prototypes have nothing to do with mysticism and supernatural.

Mermaid



Mermaids are women of heavenly beauty with fish tails. They have amazing, captivating voices and do their best, to lure passing sailors into their magical bonds.

There is every reason to believe that these creatures appeared in mass consciousness of people because of the stories of the already mentioned sailors, who, having spent a long time away from land, were mistaken for women various animals. Most often these were seals and manatees. By the way, about The researcher explains this phenomenon in detail in his scientific work. Allan John.

Kraken



The Kraken is a mythological monster that represents a huge mollusk capable of sinking boats and entire ships. More often found in the stories of fishermen in Norway and Greenland. First detailed a description of this monster was created by Eric Pontoppidan, a bishop, historian and part-time writer. Later, other pen masters picked up this idea and began to use the image of the Kraken in their stories (of course, adding new characteristics and features to it).

At the end of the 18th century, the image of the Kraken became extremely popular in scientific circles. Already in 1857, scientists were able to find out that the monster probably a giant squid (its length reaches about 9-10 meters, and weight 300-500 kilograms). Over time, this theory will only strengthened.

Chupacabra



Chupacabra is an elusive mythical creature that trades in killing livestock and sucking their blood. Several years ago people began a real hunt for this creature, however the event did not bring the expected success. Over time, eyewitnesses managed understand that sick and mutated people are most often mistaken for chupacabra animals - coyotes, foxes and wolves.

Leviathan



Leviathan is a sea monster described in the Old Testament. Researchers believe that the creepy monster may well be a giant sperm whale, the dimensions of which were “slightly” embellished.

Werewolf



Who doesn't know werewolves? Researchers are confident that the first legends about lycanthropy appeared thanks to people suffering hypertrichosis - abnormal hair growth throughout the body, including on face.

Big Foot



Bigfoot or Bigfoot - a shaggy humanoid a creature living in mountains or forests. Over the years people tried to find out who this mysterious stranger is. The most a plausible version tells about Gigantopithecus - a humanoid a monkey that was up to 4 meters tall and weighed up to 500 kilograms. This one lived handsome in the territories of modern India, China, Thailand and Vietnam more than 12 thousand years ago.

Basilisk



The prototype of the sinister basilisk serpent, from whose gaze all living things turn to stone, scientists call the helmet-bearing basilisk (less commonly there are variants with the Egyptian cobra and horned viper). Human imagination has turned a small reptile into a terrible monster, resembling a rooster with tiger claws and dragon wings.

Olgoy-khorkhoi



A huge worm that lives in the deserts of Mongolia. According to legends it kills cattle and people using poison or electricity. In 1983, the famous zoologist Yuri Gorelov was able to seeit's strange creation live - he was shown it by the grandchildren of the shepherd, to whom the researcher came to visit. It turned out to be a snake called the oriental boa constrictor

Cyclops



New Horizons Picture/ xNik

Cyclops are creepy, one-eyed giants who don't mind enjoy people. For many centuries people have suffered in guesses about their existence, because there is a huge story about them number of legends and myths. In 1914, paleontologist Otenio Abel suggested that the roots of speculation about the Cyclopes originate from dwarf elephants that existed in prehistoric times. Studies have shown that the nasal cavities of these animals are extremely big. It is possible that the people who discovered the remains of elephants could mistake them for scary one-eyed monsters.

Griffin



The griffin is a winged creature with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion, which is found in various myths and fairy tales. Folklorists have already have repeatedly voiced the theory of the appearance of this monster in people's minds. It probably arose after they began to regularly detect fossilized skeletons of Protoceratops. These are quite large dinosaurs with sharp beaks and horny collars.

Unicorn



They are claiming to be the prototype of a fairytale horse with one horn. Elasmotherium or rhinoceroses of the Eurasian steppes, which lived back in the days Ice Age. The similarities between these creatures are difficult to discern. However, today this is one of the most plausible theories.