While not all cryptids may turn out to be real, the stories of these seven species show that sometimes, myths have roots in reality and some might be real.
7 Species That Used To Be Cryptids
Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster come to mind when the term “cryptid” is used, yet there have been cases where these enigmatic creatures have evolved into real, scientifically verified animals. Let’s examine seven of these hitherto cryptid species that the scientific community now recognizes.
Related: Which Cryptid Are You?
1. The Coelacanth
For millions of years, it was thought that coelacanths were extinct. Only fossilized remains of this extinct fish with distinctive lobed fins have been found. Living examples, however, have been discovered off the coast of South Africa, demonstrating that not all cryptids are untrue legends.
2. The Giant Squid
Maritime folklore has long been dominated by stories of sea monsters. It was originally thought that a giant squid with tentacles up to 40 feet long existed. However, it is now acknowledged to be a rare and secretive species that lives in the deep oceans.
3. The Okapi
The okapi sounds like a creature out of a fantasy book, with the look of a horse, zebra, and giraffe all in one. It is a native of the rainforests of the Congo, but it wasn’t discovered by scientists until the 20th century.
4. The Mountain Gorilla
Folklore was frequently disregarded when reports of enormous, human-like animals hiding in the dark African jungles. However, the mountain gorilla, one of our closest cousins, was formally recognized in the early 1900s, giving local legends more validity.
5. The Komodo Dragon
There were “land crocodiles” in Indonesia, according to locals, but the largest lizard in the world, the Komodo dragon, wasn’t scientifically proven until the 20th century. It is simple to understand how it got to be the stuff of legends given its deadly bite and intimidating presence.
6. The Platypus
With its duck bill, beaver tail, and otter feet, the platypus appeared too odd to be true when it was originally described to Western biologists. It was thought that the specimens sent to England were fakes. Today, however, this Australia-native egg-laying mammal is a recognized species.
7. The Giant Panda
The gigantic panda’s existence was originally thought to be a Chinese legend. It took decades for Western researchers to come across this elusive bear, which solidified its transformation from a cryptid to a real, now critically endangered species.
Conclusion: The Reality of Cryptids
Although not all cryptids may turn out to be real, the tales of these seven species demonstrate that legends might occasionally have historical precedent. The finding of these once elusive species increased our knowledge of biodiversity and confirmed the notion that the natural world still conceals a great deal of information. The line separating myth from reality is blurrier than we might imagine, serving as a constant reminder to keep an open mind while facing the unexpected.
