Naturalis Historia: Volume III

Mythical Beasts: Monsters or Real Animals?

Throughout time, animals have made a presence in various legends as strange, mythical beasts that often were dangerous to humans. Some were man-eaters, with parts of several animals, and some were gigantic with special powers to make them menacing and hideous. Every culture had their own “monster”, the creature that lurked in the forest, lake, or cave after dark and hunted humans. But these creatures were just myths. Or were they? Maybe there was some connection between these mythical monsters and real animals.

Giant Turkey

A Giant Turkey! Yes, a new dinosaur species (Hagryphus giganteus) was discovered in Utah. It was two-legged and bird-like and about 7 feet tall. It was part of a group of dinosaurs known as oviraptors, dinosaurs that had feathers, winglike arms, powerful legs, long claws, and toothless beaks for shearing through food.