By Eshana Saha
Published Jan 07, 2025

Hindustan Times
Lifestyle

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The truth behind animals that inspired mythical creatures

Dragons, unicorns, and griffins—mythical creatures often have roots in real-life animals. Here’s the surprising truth behind these legends.

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Komodo dragon: This massive lizard inspired tales of fire-breathing dragons with its fearsome bite and formidable size.

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Narwhal: Known as the "unicorns of the sea," narwhals’ long tusks likely sparked the myth of magical, horned creatures.

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Griffin: Fossils of Protoceratops, with their birdlike beaks and quadrupedal stance, may have given rise to griffin legends in ancient Greece.

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Giant squid: Sightings of these elusive sea monsters likely fueled sailor stories of krakens pulling ships underwater.

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Cassowary: With their vibrant plumage and helmet-like crests, cassowaries resemble mythical phoenixes rising from the ashes.

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