Mythical animals have fascinated cultures around the world for centuries. Surprisingly, some of these fantastical beasts were rooted in real creatures.
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Here Are 5 Mythical Animals That Actually Existed:
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Mermaid
Mermaid legends likely stem from sightings of manatees and dugongs, large sea mammals with human-like traits such as finger-like flippers and upright posture.
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Kraken
The legendary kraken is based on the real giant squid, a massive deep-sea creature known for its elusive nature and enormous size.
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Dragons
The myth of dragons likely originated from ancient discoveries of dinosaur fossils, which varied in size and shape, inspiring tales of winged, clawed, reptilian beasts.
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Pouakai
Maori legends of the man-eating bird pouakai were based on the real Haast's eagle, the largest eagle ever known, with a wingspan of 3 meters.
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Roc
The legendary roc, said to lift elephants, was likely inspired by the real but flightless elephant bird (Aepyornis) of Madagascar, the largest bird ever to exist.