20 Mythical Creatures That Actually Existed in Real Life

Mythical creatures have been a part of human folklore for centuries, but did you know that some of these legendary beasts actually existed in real life? From fearsome beasts to mystical creatures, here are 20 mythical creatures that once roamed the earth.

1. Dragons - While they didn't breathe fire or hoard treasure, there were several species of dinosaurs that could be described as "dragon-like". The largest of these was the Quetzalcoatlus, a flying reptile with a wingspan of up to 40 feet.

2. Griffins - The bearded vulture, also known as the lammergeier, has been known to carry off bones and other large objects, leading some to believe it was the inspiration for the mythical griffin.

3. Cyclops - The ancient elephant Palaeoloxodon namadicus was known for its unusually large, single central tooth, which may have inspired the myth of the one-eyed giant.

4. Mermaids - The manatee, also known as a sea cow, was often mistaken for mermaids by sailors due to their unique appearance and slow-moving, graceful swimming style.

5. Satyrs - The Babirusa, a type of wild pig, has long, curly tusks that resemble the horns of the mythical satyr.

6. Unicorns - The Elasmotherium sibiricum, also known as the "Siberian unicorn", was a large, rhinoceros-like animal with a single horn on its forehead.

7. Yeti - The Gigantopithecus was a large ape that lived in Asia during the Pleistocene epoch and is thought to have inspired the myth of the yeti.

8. Pegasus - The Pterosaur, a winged reptile that lived during the age of the dinosaurs, could be seen as a real-life version of the mythical winged horse.

9. Minotaur - The aurochs, an extinct species of wild cattle, may have been the inspiration for the half-man, half-bull creature of Greek mythology.

10. Kraken - The giant squid, which can grow up to 43 feet in length, has been rumored to attack ships and drag them to the depths of the ocean, leading some to believe it was the inspiration for the kraken.

11. Chimaera - The Platypus, with its unique combination of features from several different animals, could be seen as a real-life version of the mythical Chimaera.

12. Sirens - The Amazon river dolphin, also known as the pink river dolphin, is known for its enchanting song-like calls that may have inspired the myth of the siren.

13. Basilisk - The Komodo dragon, with its deadly venom and reputation as a fierce predator, may have been the inspiration for the mythical basilisk.

14. Harpy - The Harpy eagle, with its large, powerful talons and fierce hunting skills, may have inspired the myth of the harpy.

15. Phoenix - The Hoatzin, a bird found in the Amazon rainforest, has a unique ability to survive in the harsh environment by producing its own flame-like substance to deter predators, leading some to compare it to the mythical phoenix.

16. Gorgon - The Gorgonopsid, an extinct species of carnivorous reptile, had large, fearsome teeth and may have been the inspiration for the myth of the gorgon.

17. Roc - The Elephant bird, an extinct species of flightless bird that lived on the island of Madagascar, was massive, with some specimens reaching up to 10 feet tall and weighing over 1,000 pounds, leading some to believe it was the inspiration for the myth of the roc.

18. Manticore - The cave bear, an extinct species of bear, had powerful jaws and large, sharp teeth, which may have inspired the mythical manticore.

19. Centaur - The prehistoric rhinoceros Elasmotherium, with its massive size and stocky build, may have been the inspiration for the half-man, half-horse creature of Greek mythology.

20. Thunderbird - The Teratornis, an extinct species of large bird that lived in North America, had a wingspan of up to 20 feet, leading some to believe it was the inspiration for the mythical thunderbird.

While many of these creatures may not have been exactly as described in folklore, they do provide a glimpse into the way ancient humans saw the natural world around them. By imagining creatures that were part-animal and part-human, they may have been attempting to explain the mysteries of the world and the unknown forces that governed it. While many of these creatures are now extinct, they continue to capture the imagination of people around the world and inspire stories and legends that will be passed down for generations to come.