Questing Beast
This hybrid creature with a body composed of parts of several animals is featured in the Arthurian legends cycle. The strange creature has the head and neck of a snake, the body of a leopard and the haunches of a lion. The beast whose belly makes a sound like questing hounds is hunted down and slayed by the Saracen knight Palamedes.
This hybrid creature with a body composed of parts of several animals is featured in the Arthurian legends cycle. The strange creature has the head and neck of a snake, the body of a leopard and the haunches of a lion. The beast whose belly makes a sound like questing hounds is hunted down and slayed by the Saracen knight Palamedes.
Grootslang
The elephant-snake creature presumably dwelling in a cave that connects to the sea in South Africa is a great lover of precious stones, and it can be appeased by an offering of diamonds or other gems, to avoid being killed by it.
The elephant-snake creature presumably dwelling in a cave that connects to the sea in South Africa is a great lover of precious stones, and it can be appeased by an offering of diamonds or other gems, to avoid being killed by it.
Basilisk
This legendary creature featured in European bestiaries is an extremely venomous snake, able to kill with its gaze, and it has a crown-like crest on its head. It allegedly hatches from an egg laid by a serpent or toad and incubated by a cockerel (the reverse of the legendary cockatrice). Its most feared enemy is the weasel.
This legendary creature featured in European bestiaries is an extremely venomous snake, able to kill with its gaze, and it has a crown-like crest on its head. It allegedly hatches from an egg laid by a serpent or toad and incubated by a cockerel (the reverse of the legendary cockatrice). Its most feared enemy is the weasel.
Amphisbaena
In Greek mythology, the amphisbaena is an ant-eating snake-like creature with a head on each end. In later Medieval sources, it is described as having a chicken body in the middle, with two legs. Ancient medicine works suggest it possesses many beneficial properties in treating illnesses of various kinds.
In Greek mythology, the amphisbaena is an ant-eating snake-like creature with a head on each end. In later Medieval sources, it is described as having a chicken body in the middle, with two legs. Ancient medicine works suggest it possesses many beneficial properties in treating illnesses of various kinds.
Ammut
The “devourer of the dead” was an Egyptian goddess with a body composed of lion, hippopotamus and crocodile parts. She inhabited the underworld, where she devoured the hearts of those who, upon death and judgement by Anubis, were deemed unworthy of everlasting life.
The “devourer of the dead” was an Egyptian goddess with a body composed of lion, hippopotamus and crocodile parts. She inhabited the underworld, where she devoured the hearts of those who, upon death and judgement by Anubis, were deemed unworthy of everlasting life.
Rougarou
This Louisiana version of the werewolf is a fierce beast with the body of a man and the head of a wolf. According to local legend and Cajun folklore, a person can turn into a Rougarou when bitten by one. Alternatively, a Catholic who does not observe the Lent may also turn into a Rougarou.
This Louisiana version of the werewolf is a fierce beast with the body of a man and the head of a wolf. According to local legend and Cajun folklore, a person can turn into a Rougarou when bitten by one. Alternatively, a Catholic who does not observe the Lent may also turn into a Rougarou.
Ophitaurus
According to Ovid, this serpent–bull hybrid from Greek mythology would grant the power to defeat the gods to whoever burned its entrails. When the
Ophitaurus was slain during the War of the Titans, Zeus sent an eagle to retrieve its entrails before anyone could burn them
According to Ovid, this serpent–bull hybrid from Greek mythology would grant the power to defeat the gods to whoever burned its entrails. When the
Ophitaurus was slain during the War of the Titans, Zeus sent an eagle to retrieve its entrails before anyone could burn them
Hydra
In Greek and Roman mythology, the Hydra was a lake monster with several snake-heads that would regenerate when cut: in place of one severed head, the Hydra would grow another two. Its breath and blood were extremely poisonous. It was defeated by Heracles during his second labor.
In Greek and Roman mythology, the Hydra was a lake monster with several snake-heads that would regenerate when cut: in place of one severed head, the Hydra would grow another two. Its breath and blood were extremely poisonous. It was defeated by Heracles during his second labor.