A number of mythological creatures actually do exist, at least having a match with what scientists have discovered. Kraken is definitely included in it. Mythological creatures are figures who are believed in stories from generation to generation so that they become a kind of legend. A simple example is Dragon.
Let's dissect one by one the mythological creatures that are believed to be true. Launching List Verse, Tuesday (21/9/2021), here are some of them. Let's check if anything surprised you or not.
1. Kraken
The Kraken comes from Norwegian folklore which describes it as a giant squid that is strong enough to drag ships to the depths by wrapping its giant tentacles around the ship. Some say the Kraken does this by swimming in circles around the ship to create a vortex that will drag the ship down.
The story of the Kraken dates back to 1180, and there are many records of a giant tentacle sea monster dragging ships to ruins. The Kraken is said to be able to wipe out the entire crew in one go.
According to scientists, the Kraken myth probably emerged after the sighting of a species of giant squid (Architeuthis dux), which can grow to a length of about 18 meters or possibly a colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni), which is significantly larger than the giant squid and can grow to an unknown length. For the record, only a few colossal squid have ever been found because they live in the deep waters of Antarctica.
2. Platypus
Did you know, the duck-billed Platypus was originally known in the 18th century as a mythical creature. He is an animal that is often considered a mere hoax in his time, because of his strange appearance and coincidentally found in an era where imaginary creatures were being created. So, it is not surprising that some consider him a mythological creature.
Platypuses look the same unlike real animals. In 1799, the English zoologist George Shaw described this animal as 'a duck's beak stuck in the head of a four-legged animal'.
The platypus is indeed a unique animal in the native world from Australia. In fact, it took scientists 100 years to figure out whether the platypus lay eggs or was a mammal. The answer is that the platypus is one of the few mammal species that lays eggs. In modern times, people already know that the Platypus is a real animal and not a fairy tale.
3. Mermaids
Mermaid or mermaid is the most recognizable legend in which a beautiful woman has long hair and a tail to swim in the water. He is even called the half-brother of Alexander the Great.
One possible explanation, from scientists, for the sightings of mermaids is that sailors mistook mermaids for manatees (aka sea cows).
Yes, although in terms of appearance, the manatee is not like a human, there are things that can make it possible for a figure who is predicted to be a mermaid.
Manatees can lift their heads out of the water and flip them from side to side in the same way humans do. Seen from behind, his rough skin might look like long hair. It is also possible that sailors who have been at sea for a long time experience hallucinations while sailing.
4. Basilisk
According to Greek myth and Harry Potter, the basilisk (aka the cockatrice) is a snake with a deadly gaze and terrible breath. In Greek myth, the basilisk is normal size -- different from the Harry Potter version.
In the myth this is a mixed animal of a chicken and a snake. However, its existence may actually be another misinterpretation. According to scientists, it is possible that the mythological basilisk is actually the Egyptian cobra, a very dangerous snake that continuously hisses and spits venom up to a distance of 2.4 meters while aiming for the eye of its enemy. This may explain the myth that basilisks kill those who look them in the eye.
5. Cyclops
In Greek mythology, Cyclopes (plural of Cyclops) were giant creatures with one eye in the center of each of their heads. They are known primarily for their savagery, fearing neither humans nor gods.
The most famous Cyclops was Polyphemus, who attacked Odysseus in a cave and ate half of his men. Odysseus blinded the Cyclops by driving a wooden peg through his single eye.
Cyclops is believed to exist from strong enough evidence of its existence. Many skulls were found with a single eye socket in the center of the head. But again this was denied by scientists that it turned out that the 'cyclops' skull belonged to a pygmy elephant.
The 'eye sockets' found were the middle nasal cavity and the hole for the elephant's trunk. Many pygmy elephant skulls have been found in Cyprus, especially in the caves where Cyclopes usually lived. Therefore, it might be reasonable for elephant skulls to be considered evidence of a race of giants, man-eating creatures, which only had one eye.
Later, Cyclops creatures are now considered by scientists to exist in animals. However, it is seen by scientists as a genetic disorder cyclopia, which is a physical defect condition in which the animal is born with one eye and in the middle of the face.
