Hopefully you have that one friend in your social circle who can be found regularly rapping off their latest findings from the world of cryptid legends. A cryptid is defined as a creature that people claim exists, but it hasn’t been proven to actually exist. They’ll most often come up in haunting tales of folklore. Some of the most common examples of cryptids include Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster. We’re taking a look at some of the most notoriously surreal cryptid legends that were actually based on real creatures. If you saw one of these real creatures out in the wild you’d probably feel like you were in another dimension.
1. Giant Squid
You wouldn’t want to catch yourself swimming anywhere near one of these giant squids. Even though the giant squid has gone from being called a cryptid to an actual sea creature, it still certainly fits the bill. They’re most often found in the deep ocean. Back in 2006, scientists from Japan’s National Science Museum actually managed to catch a live 24-foot female giant squid. Just imagine that. Nightmare fuel, for sure.
2. Okapi
The Okapi, also known as the forest giraffe, is a mix up of a zebra, donkey, deer, and antelope. The strangest part though is that its closest actual genetic link is giraffes. Europeans back in the 18th and 19th century would refer to this animal as the African Unicorn. Just because they were so rarely seen they quickly climbed the ranks as being a cryptid, even though they’re actually real.
3. Giant Pangolin
The Giant Pangolin garnered its reputation as being a formidable cryptid because certain ancient folklore texts would suggest that the pangolins were out there traveling around the world by way of a network of lengthy subterranean tunnels that they created. Definitely a cool though, and one that’s surely been imagined in films.
4. Megamouth Shark
Ah, so that’s where the whole Jaws inspiration came from. Seriously though, the megamouth shark is thankfully a very rare shark. It can reach up to 2,700 pounds, and has its name from its ridiculous oversized, circular mouth.
5. Devil Bird
The Devil Bird is one of those eerie creatures that is able to somehow make humanlike shrieks throughout the jungle at night. Yeah, so not something that you’d want to catch yourself hearing, while wading through testy patches of nighttime jungle.
6. Mountain Gorilla
For centuries on end there would be tales told of giant men throughout East Africa that would kidnap and eat humans, overpowering them with both their superhuman volatility and strength. Yeah, what was really going on was that there were some mountain gorillas that were understandably, extremely upset about their land being messed with. You don’t want to end up on a mountain gorillas bad side.
7. Bornean Bay Cat
Look at that beast. There’s a striking, almost terrifying gracefulness about the Bornean Bay Cat. The word is that they’re very elusive, and this is what inspired them being looked upon as nothing more than another unsettling cryptid. Well, turns out they’re actually real.
8. Giant Armadillo or Glyptodon
Of all the cryptids that have been compiled in the proverbial book of cryptids, a giant armadillo doesn’t seem like the scariest of the bunch. Although, you’d be in for quite the scare at nighttime if you crossed paths with a giant armadillo that didn’t want to be bothered.
9. Tasmanian Tiger
Aw, look at that adorable dude. Well, don’t fall for the Tasmanian Tiger’s seemingly approachable face. These creatures could rip around with voracious appetites at blistering speeds, and were long thought of as cryptids due to their ability to drop off the grid at a moment’s notice.
10. Bondegezou
The Bondegezou was thought of as a legendary, ancestral spirit of the Moni people out in Western Papua New Guinea. It was referenced as a tree-dwelling creature that had a superhuman ability to ascend trees in rapid fashion. These days, the Bondegezou is listed as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List.
11. Sea Serpent
Sea Serpents are one of those cryptids that seem like they’ve been around since the dawn of time itself. They’re described as being serpentine in their shape, and you won’t have a hard time finding a fiery sailor or sea captain who will tell you a hefty tale about their time at sea with one. While they’re actually a real creature, the movies/TV shows no doubt blow them out of proportion.
12. The Ultimate Legend of Cryptid Legends: The Unicorn
Maybe one day we’ll get there, and a unicorn will grace us with its presence. For now though the real creature comparison for the unicorn is the Siberian Unicorn, which has unfortunately been long since gone from this world. The Siberian Unicorn was a one-horned rhinoceros that lived during Siberia during the Ice Age. Man, what a sight that must’ve been to see on a cold winters day.
