Buzz
Within just a few days, reports have surfaced suggesting that both Bigfoot and el Chupacabra might have finally been found. If this trend continues, we might see Nessie emerge next week, and the Mothman could show up at a West Virginian doorstep asking for a favor.
Initially, I planned to compile a list of creatures once deemed mythical but later proven real. However, such examples were scarce. Instead, this list combines those rare finds with species once believed extinct but later rediscovered. These remarkable creatures are known as Lazarus species—a name that couldn’t be more appropriate.
1. The Okapi
The Okapi serves as the symbol for the International Society of Cryptozoology, as it was once considered a mythical creature until its discovery in 1902. Often referred to as the African unicorn, this animal was so unbelievable that it became legendary. While okapis are now common in zoos, their wild population remains scarce. It wasn’t until 2008 that a motion-activated camera in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s jungles captured the first-ever wild photo of an okapi.
2. The Devil Bird
Until 2001, the Devil Bird was nothing more than a chilling legend. Originating in Sri Lanka, the bird’s eerie, human-like scream, known as the "Ulama," was believed to foretell the death of a family member. When the Spot-bellied Eagle-owl was identified 13 years ago, experts noted its striking resemblance to the mythical Devil Bird.
3. The Kraken
Many speculate that the kraken, feared by sailors for centuries, was actually a giant squid. Descriptions of the kraken likened it to the size of a floating island. Female giant squids can reach lengths of up to 43 feet, making such comparisons plausible. For years, the only proof of their existence came from carcasses found on beaches. In 2004, scientists finally photographed a live, fully-grown giant squid, and just two years later, they managed to film one in motion.
4. The Coelacanth
Believed to have been extinct for roughly 65 million years, this ancient fish was rediscovered off the eastern coast of South Africa in 1938. Averaging 176 pounds and reaching lengths of up to 6.5 feet (with one reported sighting of a 15-foot specimen), the coelacanth has since been found in waters near Tanzania, Indonesia, and other locations, proving that some species can survive even after being presumed lost for millions of years.
5. The Platypus
For years, the platypus was dismissed as a ridiculous concept. And it’s easy to see why—a venomous, egg-laying, semi-aquatic mammal with a duck-like bill and a beaver-like tail does sound implausible. When the first specimen was presented as evidence, many in the scientific community believed it to be a hoax, suspecting a mischievous taxidermist had stitched together parts of different animals as a joke.
6. Giant Earthworms
Honestly, this creature might as well have stayed extinct—the Giant Palouse Earthworm is rumored to reach lengths of up to three feet. First discovered in 1897, it was presumed extinct by the 1980s. However, there have been a few sightings since then, with the most recent one in 2010. Unfortunately for fans of Tremors, it measured only a foot long. If you’re keen on hunting for this giant worm, head to eastern Washington or Idaho. Don’t forget a shovel—it can dig as deep as 15 feet underground.
7. The Takahe
The takahe, a flightless bird native to New Zealand, was believed to have vanished in 1898. However, a 1948 expedition uncovered a surviving colony on South Island. Today, only 224 takahe are known to exist—down from 225 after a Department of Conservation worker accidentally mistook one for a Pukeko and shot it. (An honest mistake, we’ve all been there.)
8. Bermuda Petrel
Similar to the Devil Bird, the Bermuda Petrel, or cahow, emits an eerie call that once terrified early Spanish settlers. They avoided the Bermudan islands, believing the sounds were made by demons wandering between the islands. Declared extinct for 330 years, this national bird of Bermuda was rediscovered in 1951 when an ornithologist found 18 nesting pairs in Castle Harbour. By 2005, the global population had grown to around 250.
9. Komodo Dragons
While Komodo dragons are now common attractions in zoos, they were once considered mythical creatures for centuries. This wasn’t just due to their "dragon" label but also because they were described as "land crocodiles." Their existence was confirmed in 1912 when a photograph and preserved skin provided evidence. In 1926, zoologists embarked on an expedition, returning with 12 carcasses and 2 live specimens. Three of these can still be seen at the American Museum of Natural History.
10. The Thylacine
Wikimedia Commons
Our final entry doesn’t quite qualify as a Lazarus species, as it hasn’t been officially rediscovered. The Thylacine, also known as the Tasmanian Wolf, Tasmanian Tiger, or Tassie Tiger, resembles a mix between a wolf and a tiger. However, it was actually a marsupial with a pouch and could open its jaws up to 120 degrees. Thylacines thrived in Tasmania until the 1930s, when they were nearly wiped out due to hunting after being blamed for livestock deaths. The last recorded Thylacine, named "Benjamin," lived at the Hobart Zoo from 1933 until his death three years later. Sightings of the Thylacine are reported regularly in Tasmania, Australia, and Indonesia, and Ted Turner once offered $100,000 for proof of its existence. However, no confirmed sightings or photographs have emerged, leaving it officially extinct.
All images are provided by iStock unless noted otherwise.
