Wild Facts

Photo from Wikimedia

Welcome to the last day of Mythical Wild Facts.  We are going to end it with another popular mythical creature.  Disney has made the Mermaid popular with The Little Mermaid but where does the myth come from?  Stick around and we will find out everything you ever wanted to know about the Mermaid.  You will see the Mermaid doesn’t just exist in Disney cartoons.  They are actually quite famous in folklore, literature and of course popular culture.

I can’t remember if the Little Mermaid sang (but I am sure she did) but Mermaids are often known for singing to people and God’s alike which would distract them from their work, which would cause them to accidentally walk off the ship or drive the large boat into the ground.  No doubt about it, if I was sitting at my computer working and a Mermaid started singing…. I would be distracted.  Other legends have the Mermaid squeezing the life out of drowning men as they tried to save them.  You wouldn’t want to put that on your resume if you are applying for a lifeguard position.

So where did the Mermaid come from?  Well, the first known stories were started in Assyria (this area is now known as Iraq) in 1000 BC.   The Mermaid was created when the goddess, Atargatis, loved a human shepherd.  The goddess accidentally killed her mortal lover.  She was so ashamed that she jumped into the lake to take the form of a fish, however, the waters were unable to hide her divine beauty.  From that point on she took the form of a Mermaid – human above the waist and a fish below.  The earliest depictions of Atargatis has her as a fish with a human head and legs.  I think Ariel, The Little Mermaid, would looked funny as a fish with a human head and legs.

Mermaid Fast Fact – It is believed that creatures such as the Mermaid represented our understanding that humans were one with animals but also different from them.  I think somewhere along the lines we have forgot that humans are one with the animals.

Well that does it for a very unique week of Mythical Wild Facts.  I hope you enjoyed the break from our standard animals.  We will be back next week with known, living animals.  Have a great weekend everyone!

Bigfoot? Photo by Patterson-Gimlin film (Wikimedia)

There is no way a Mythical Wild Facts week would be complete without talking about the Sasquatch.  Of course this animal is better known as Bigfoot.  I put this hairy, human-like creature into the same category as Nessie the Loch Ness Monster.  Both of these creatures seem to have blurry photographs and countless sightings.  So, does Bigfoot exist?  Let’s learn a little more and you can come up with your own answer at the end of the Wild Fact.

The Sasquatch is an ape-like creature that supposedly inhabits the forests of North America, particularly the Pacific Northwest.  Hey, wait a minute!  I live in the Northwestern portion of North America.  Perhaps i should start an expedition when I get back from holidays.  You are more than welcome to join me on my search for Bigfoot.   Of course scientists have discredited Bigfoot and believe that it is just a mix of folklore, mis-identification and hoaxes.   Although, some researchers such as the famous Jane Goodall (known for her work with monkey’s) has expressed interest and the possible belief that Bigfoot exists.  Knowing that Jane Goodall has entertained their possible existence goes a long way with me.  Maybe the Sasquatch really does exist.

The legend of Bigfoot extends back into the folklore of the indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest.  The stories of the “Wildmen” differed regionally and between families in the same community but nonetheless the stories existed way back then.  In 1951, the first footprint of Bigfoot was recorded, which garnered considerable attention and started the stories of the Sasquatch that we know and love today.

In 1958, Bigfoot was in the media again when Wilbur L. Wallace and his crew brought forward a cast of some very large footprints they discovered while working in an area near Bluff Creek, California.  This appeared to be decent evidence but after Wallace’s death, his children came forth with a set of 16″ wooden footprints which apparently were used to make those tracks.  Now if those footprints would have been discovered between 1996 and 2004, I would have just said they belonged to Shaquille O’Neal who was playing for Los Angeles at the time.

Photo from Wikimedia

Over the years there have been many more sightings which provide some anecdotal evidence towards the existence of the Sasquatch.  Of course, it is possible that these people have simply mis-identified the creature.  For example, a bear standing on its hind legs would resemble Bigfoot from a distance. So, what do you think?  Some prominent researchers believe in the possibility of Bigfoot existing, do you?

Only one more Mythical Wild Fact left.  Be sure you stop by tomorrow since it could very well be the last mythical animal ever found on Wild Facts.  Have a great day everyone.

European Dragon - Photo by Dani_7C3 (Wikimedia)

We are into the middle of our Mythical Wild Facts and after looking at Unicorns and the Loch Ness Monster it only makes sense that we learn a little more about a nice fire-breathing Dragon.  Today we enter the fairy tales to find the truth behind Dragons.  Believe it or not there are two different lineages for dragons which arose separately from one another.  The first is the European Dragon which was derived from Greek and Middle Eastern cultures.  On the other hand is the Chinese Dragon which obviously comes from the Asian and Korean cultures.  So let’s learn a little more about this interesting creature, shall we?

As I am sure you know the Dragon is usually a reptilian type of animal with a lizard or snake like body and two lizard-like legs. It is the European Dragon that has the bat like wings growing from its back. You know the kind that you might find a donkey married to in Shrek.  The Chinese Dragon on the other hand usually has a snake like body without the wings.  Usually Dragons will be hatched from an egg and may breathe fire or even be poisonous.  I personally had no idea that a Dragon was poisonous.  Did you know that?

Chinese Dragon - Photo from Wikicommons

In many Asian cultures the Chinese Dragon is often thought to be representatives of nature, religion and the Universe.  They are usually associated with wisdom as they are thought to be wiser than humans.  These particular dragons may also contain magical powers.  Hmmm… I guess this makes sense considering “Puff the Magic Dragon” was magical, right?  Finally, some cultures believe that the Dragon can speak the language of humans and actually taught us how to speak.  Well that was awfully nice of them to take time out of their busy schedule to teach us how to talk.

Dragon Fast Fact – Dinosaurs and other large fossils have been mistaken for the bones of dragons.  For example, in 300 BC large bones were classed as belonging to a Dragon.  It is thought that the myths of dragons and other mythological creatures were created to explain fossils of animals that had never been seen by humans before.  That would be kind of fun, right?  Find some bones and use your imagination to make up an animal that they could belong to.  That is how archaeology and anthropology should work!

We are now past the half-way mark with our Mythical Wild Facts.  Make sure you tune in tomorrow for another interesting fact.

Nessie Replica - Photo by StaraBlazkova (Wikimedia)

There was no way I was going to have a Wild Fact week dedicated to Mythical Creatures and not talk about one of my favourites.  Today’s animal is another that can be placed into the category of “Did it exist?” Of course I am talking about the one and only Loch Ness Monster, Nessie. That’s right mythical animal fans, we are heading to the Scottish Highlands to search for the elusive Loch Ness Monster.  Perhaps we can pick up some haggis on the way and  play 18 holes at St. Andrews.  Are there anymore Scottish stereotypes I can write about?

So what is the deal with Nessie?  Well, people believe that the particular monster found in Loch Ness is actually a long surviving plesiosaur. Remember we talked about those carnivorous, aquatic reptiles during the Wild Facts – Extinction series.  If Nessie really does exist than I will have to remove the Plesiosaur from that Extinction series.  The story of the Loch Ness started in 1933, so not that long ago when compared to the Unicorn.  At best the evidence of its existence is anecdotal with blurry photographs and sonar printouts.  Those pesky, skeptical scientists believe it is just a modern day myth but what do you think?

Although the legend of Nessie could be tied to a story of a similar monster killing a man during the 6th Century along the River Ness (not the Loch itself) it wasn’t until 1933 that brought this creature to Hollywood status.  On July 22, 1933, George Spicer and his wife reported seeing a large creature with a 10-12′ long, narrow neck cross the road in front of their car.  In August of that same year, Arthur Grant almost ran his motorcycle into the large sea monster as it was again crossing the road.  Throughout the years the legend has obviously grown but 1933 was Nessie’s first step towards fame.

Loch Ness Monster - The "Surgeons Photograph"

A year later, Nessie became even more famous when Kenneth Wilson photographed the head and neck of a large creature sticking out of the water.  This photograph commonly referred to as the “Surgeons Photograph” could be compelling evidence.  Science, however, had noticed a white spot on the negatives which they believe was the source of the ripples in the water.  This would mean that the creature was actually being towed by a boat. After this evidence was released an even bigger question remains.  Does Nessie like to water ski?!?

There you have it.  Another animal that may or may not exist.  It is 2010 and the search for the Loch Ness Monster continues.  Maybe you will be the one to discover the large Plesiosaur living in Loch Ness and put these rumours to rest.

I will see all of you back here tomorrow for another Mythical Wild Fact.  Have a great day!

Unicorn Statue - Photo by Kglavin (Wikimedia)

I am sure all of you are stuffed with candy canes, chocolate and other Christmas snacks.  I hope all of you enjoyed your holiday and I wanted to thank you for taking a second away from the eggnog to check out Wild Facts today.  This isn’t a live post since I am actually enjoying some family time myself.  Since I will be gone for the week, it means we get the latest Wild Fact Theme Week.  This week will be different but I think it will be a lot of fun.  This week’s theme is Mythical Wild Facts.  Now I know I have said in the past that I would never write about animals that didn’t exist but things change.  You see, I received an e-mail from one of my young readers inquiring about the Unicorn.  This got me thinking that I should do a whole week dedicated to some of our mythical friends.  Who knows, maybe they did exist at one time!

Anyway, let’s start the week off with the most famous mythical creature, the Unicorn.   Now most of us picture the Unicorn as a horse with the obvious horn in the middle of its head.  In reality though the original Unicorn has a goat beard, a lions tail and cloven hooves.  I don’t know any horses that have a lions tail.  No matter what your image of the Unicorn is in your mind, you have to love what they represent.  The Unicorn is a noble and magnificent creature that just oozes purity and everything that is good in the world.

Some of the creatures you will read about this week come from Greek Mythology.  Surprisingly the Unicorn is not one of these creatures.  In fact, they stem from the natural history books of early Greek writers.  Yes, that is natural history as in they actually exist!  The earliest description of the Unicorn dates all the way back to the 5th Century, BC.  The Greeks believed that the Unicorn existed in a far away place known as India (not that far anymore due to airplanes and ships ).  Incidentally, the people of India also described their accounts of a one-horned horse.  One of the names they used to describe this creature was “Rhinoceros”.   The accounts of Unicorns continue throughout history.  They are even mentioned throughout the Bible.  So do you think they actually existed?

Unicorn Fast Fact – The famous 13th Century traveler, Marco Polo, describe what he thought was a Unicorn during a trip through Java.  Unfortunately, his description turned out to be that of a Javan Rhinoceros.  Is it possible that the Unicorn really was more of a rhinoceros type animal that became exaggerated and misinterpreted over the years?  I will let you be the judge.

That does it for the first Mythical Wild Fact.  Make sure you tune in tomorrow as I am sure this week will be full of light-hearted fun.