5 Cryptids that are Actually Real

Cryptids are animals based on myths and legends, but some of them have actually been proven real. Through the past century, different explorations and discoveries have taken these animals out of fairytale books and into real life. Here are 5 cryptids that were proven and listed as real animal species.

Devil Bird

Also called as the Ulama, this frightening creature is found in Sri Lankan folklore. They’re identified as large, horned birds that have blood-curdling screams which locals perceive as a warning that death is coming. In 2001, a new owl species was identified as Devil Bird, which is a spot-bellied eagle owl. These large owls fit the tufted “horns” and high pitch screeches.

Ziphius

According to Medieval folklore, these animals had a fish body and an owl’s head, characterized by large eyes. It attacked ships with its wedge-shaped beak and sword-like fin. The Cuvier’s Beaked Whale fits the description of the Ziphius perfectly, from the large eyes to the wedge-shaped beak. These whales are in the genus Ziphius, named after the mythical creature.

Kangaroo

Kangaroos were once considered cryptids since early explorers who went to Australia had difficulties classifying them. They wrote about a creature that had a head like a deer, stood upright, and hopped around like a frog. They even described some of the creatures as having two heads, one on its shoulder and another one on its stomach. Finally, kangaroo specimens were taken to England in 1770 for examinations and exhibits. They later classified it as a marsupial.

Platypus

Another native in Australia, this strange creature left a lot of zoologist baffled when it was first presented to them. Accounts described the Platypus as a mixture of a beaver and a duck which laid eggs and was venomous. Scholars assumed that the preserved specimen of the creature was a mere elaborately sown-together joke, but it was finally recognized as a unique animal. These semi-aquatic mammals are the only mammals that lay eggs and are seen in eastern

Sea Serpent

A very common mythological creature found across different cultures, this animal is said to be a massive, snake-like creature that lives in the sea. Able to take down boats, sea serpents were the stuff of sailor’s nightmares.  Today, the Oarfish is classified as sea serpent. This extremely rare creature grows to about 17 meters (56 ft) and spends most of its time in deep water. They do wash up on shore every now and then due to storms.