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Mythical Creatures by Country 2024

When people think about mythical creatures, they usually envision witches, wizards, unicorns, and other fantasy ideas. Even though these are certainly examples of mythical creatures, not all of them are so pleasant. For example, there are plenty of mythical creatures across the world that are incredibly creepy. One of the creepiest mythical creatures in the world is Godzilla. This is a legend that originates in Japan, and it has been turned into a wide variety of movies over the years. Godzilla is a giant lizard and dinosaur combination that is known for destroying entire towns. It has haunted Japan for a long time, and it has become a common point of folklore across the world.

What Is the Creepiest Mythical Creature From China?

There are plenty of creepy mythical creatures that come from China as well. One example is Bai Ze, which means white marsh. This is a supernatural beast that has six horns, nine eyes, and a wide variety of other appendages that can give children nightmares. Even though a single picture of this Beast is enough to haunt your dreams for a long time, it is actually a symbol of good luck. It only appears in situations where there is something wise and virtuous happening. According to legend, this mythical creature can also speak numerous languages, giving it the ability to communicate with people of all backgrounds.

What Is the Creepiest Mythical Creature From Russia?

In Russia, the creepiest mythical creature is called Baba Yaga. This is a creature that comes from Slavic folklore, and it has been a focus of stories from this area for a long time. In a lot of stories, Baba Yaga takes the form of a witch that is old and skinny. This is a witch that typically has the ability to fly on a broom, and it can use magic. Even though it is tied to the forest, a lot of people still find it creepy because of the way this creature looks. There are some stories where Baba Yaga is actually the good guy, and there are other stories where Baba Yaga is definitely the bad guy. Sometimes, parents in this part of the world use Baba Yaga to frighten children into behaving.

What Is the Creepiest Mythical Creature From North America?

One of the creepiest mythical creatures from North America is called the chupacabra. Even though a lot of people have been exposed to chupacabra in movies and TV shows, it remains one of the creepiest creatures on the planet. When a lot of animals turn up dead due to diseases or wolves, a lot of people blame the situation on the chupacabra. The animal looks like a coyote that has contracted some sort of horrible disease. It has very large eyes, sharp fangs, and extremely muscular hind legs. It resembles a lizard, and it is the focus of a lot of scary stories from North America, South America, and the Caribbean.

  • Data is a survey of the most well-known mythical creatures rather than a comprehensive list, as the true number of mythical creatures in the world likely swells into the thousands.
  • Certain creatures may be listed for multiple countries.

194 countries

Country
Mythical Creature Name
Brief Description
Detailed Description
AfghanistanAlDemonThey have clay noses and fiery eyes, and "appear with sharp fangs, disheveled hair, copper claws, iron teeth, the tusks of a wild boar and sagging breasts, resembling a crone."
AlbaniaDevMonstrous ogre-like creaturesGiants with two horns.
AlgeriaAl-RhubanHalf-human, half-jinnA human by appearance, but with pale skin, long fingers, blue eyes and yellow eyelashes. Always keeps hands in its pockets.
AndorraVibriaWicked dragonA female dragon depicted as "having exposed female breasts, a long and fiery tongue protruding from an eagle-beak, scale covered body, a serpentine tail and wings.'
AngolaKongamatoLarge pterosaur-like creatureIt is described as a reddish lizard with membranous wings and teeth in its beak. Its wingspan ranges from 4 to 100 feet across.
Antigua and BarbudaJumbeeA dark, shadowy malevolent entityA whispy, fog-like shadowy creature
ArgentinaNahuelitoLake MonsterA sea serpent described similarly to a plesiosaur.
ArmeniaDevMonstrous ogre-like creaturesGiants with two horns.
AustraliaBunyipMysterious monsterBunyips live in Australian billabongs and swamps, and stories of their appearance are highly varied. The most commonly described features include a dog-like face and clawed flippers. The bunyip is occasionally compared to a manatee or hippopotamus. In some of the older legends, they are described as attacking and devouring humans.Carl Lumholtz, a Norwegian explorer who travelled extensively in Australia, described the bunyip as “a mammal of considerable size…a monster with countless eyes and ears…He has sharp claws, and can run so fast that it is difficult to escape him."
AustriaKrampusDemon who punishes misbehaving childrenHorned half-goat half-demon.
AzerbaijanJinnSupernatural spirits and demons, sometimes Anglicized as genieJinn are beings of flame or air who are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects—stones, trees, ruins—underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire.
BahamasRolling CalfA monstrous bull wrapped in chainsA huge ghost in the shape of a cow, fiery eyes and wrapped in a chain.
BahrainBū DaryāGiant merfolk creatureBū Daryā was seen as a terrifying and colossal half-human half-amphibian who preyed on those out at sea.
BangladeshJinnSupernatural spirits and demons, sometimes Anglicized as genieJinn are beings of flame or air who are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects—stones, trees, ruins—underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire.
BarbadosDuppyAn undead spiritGhostly spirits, somewhat similar to their former earthly forms.
BelarusBaba YagaWitchA wrinkled, white-haired old hag, who lives in a hut that stands on chicken legs
BelgiumGnomeDwarfish, subterranean goblin or earth spirit who guards mines of precious treasures hidden in the earth.A small, physically deformed (usually hunchbacked) creature resembling a dry, gnarled old man.
BelizeTata DuendeGrandfather Demon,' a mischief makerAn old mischievious character who is very short, has backward feet, wears a tall pointy hat, and has both thumbs missing.
BeninAnansiShapeshifting trickster, frequently a spiderAlong with his wife, Aso, Ananse can change form and may be depicted as a human, although his normal form is a spider.
BhutanYetiBigfoot-like creatureBigfoot-like tall humanoid, covered in pale fur or hair.
BoliviaAcalicaWeather-controlling fairiessaid to control the weather, live in caves, and are very rarely seen. When they do appear they are said to take the form of small, wizened men.
Bosnia and HerzegovinaTurGiant bullA giant bull that lives underground, causing earthquakes.........
BotswanaTokilosheDwarf-like water spriteSmall water sprites, withered and gray, with gouged-out eyesand a hole in its skull.
BrazilCurupiraA dwarf covered in bright orange haira creature with bright red/orange hair that resembles a man or a dwarf. Curupira has a very unique trait: his feet are turned backwards.
BruneiGenaliGiant serpentThe creature that finally emerged from the river was huge, limbless and covered in scales. It was a snake, but one so overgrown they called it a dragon.
BulgariaBaba YagaWitchA wrinkled, white-haired old hag, who lives in a hut that stands on chicken legs.
Burkina FasoJinnSupernatural spirits and demons, sometimes Anglicized as genieJinn are beings of flame or air who are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects—stones, trees, ruins—underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire.
BurundiGustaveLegendary crocodileMassive Nile crocodile that was long considered a myth; estimated to be over 18 feet long and more than 2000 pounds.
CambodiaChintheLion-like creatureA highly stylized leogryph (lion-like creature) commonly depicted in Burmese iconography and Myanmar architecture, especially as a pair of guardians flanking the entrances of Buddhist pagodas and kyaung (or Buddhist monasteries).
CameroonAnansiShapeshifting trickster, frequently a spiderAlong with his wife, Aso, Ananse can change form and may be depicted as a human, although his normal form is a spider.
CanadaWindigoPowerful monsters with a desire to kil and eat peopleVaries, but one version of the windigo has pointed or animal-like ears with antlers or horns sprouting on its head.
Cape VerdeAnansiShapeshifting trickster, frequently a spiderAlong with his wife, Aso, Ananse can change form and may be depicted as a human, although his normal form is a spider.
Central African RepublicMokele-mbembeDinosaur-like creatureDescribed as some kind of dinosaur, seemingly akin to the brontosaurus.
ChadAuliWater creatureAn animal the size of a sheep that lives in Lake Chad, resembling a manatee.
ChileBasilisco ChiloteSerpentine monsterSerpentine monster with crest of a rooster.
ChinaDragonSupernatural serpentIn stories, a Chinese (Asian) dragon can be composed of many different animal parts, but it’s more commonly depicted as having: the tail of a fish, the scales of a carp, the neck of a snake, the belly of a clam, the head of a camel, the claws of an eagle, the paws of a tiger, the ears of a cow, the eyes of a demon, the beard of a goat and the horns of a stag.
ColombiaTundaShapeshifterA shapeshifter with a visible flaw - it has a wooden leg that it cannot shapeshift.
ComorosJinnSupernatural spirits and demons, sometimes Anglicized as genieJinn are beings of flame or air who are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects—stones, trees, ruins—underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire.
Costa RicaCadejoCanine spirits that appear to travelers at nightLarge, shaggy dogs with burning eyes and goats hooves a white one (helpful) and a black one (dangerous).
CroatiaKrampusDemon who punishes misbehaving childrenHorned half-goat half-demon.
CubaMadre de AguasA giant boa snakeA giant boa snake wide as a palm tree, with two horns on its head, that inhabits rivers and lakes.
CyprusCentaurGreek mythological creature with upper body of a human and lower body of a horseThe upper body of a human and the lower body and legs of a horse.
Czech RepublicGolemA clay automaton brought to life by magicA hulking humanoid statue made from clay and animated by magic.
DenmarkNeckWater spiritAlways male in Belgium, the neck has a human head, chest, and arms, but a horse-like body undr the water.
DjiboutiShaitanDemonsdepicted as ugly and grotesque creatures of hell-fire.
DominicaEl bacáEvil creature that people conjure to get wealth and propertyAmong other forms, it can take the form of a large black dog, cat or bull.
Dominican RepublicCiguapaHag-like creatures that inhabit the high mountains of the Domincan RepublicTheyi appear as human females, sometimes with blue skin, with long manes of glossy hair that cover their bodies, and backward-facing feet.
DR CongoElokoMalicious dwarf raceAn Eloko has grass for a beard, clothes made of leaves, and usually carries a bell, which is used to attract and bewitch unsuspecting humans.
EcuadorWater TigerFour-legged, fanged water monster cryptid river or lake monsters reported from parts of South America, principally the Guianas, almost always described as aquatic tusked animals. Cryptozoologists speculate they may be living sabre-toothed cats, forming a parallel with the African water lions,[3][4] or some form of giant otter.
EgyptGriffinA beast with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lionA beast with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion.
El SalvadorCuyancúaA half-pig, half-snakeA creature with the upper body of a pig and the hindquarters of a snake.
Equatorial GuineaAnansiShapeshifting trickster, frequently a spiderAlong with his wife, Aso, Ananse can change form and may be depicted as a human, although his normal form is a spider.
EritreaZarHuman-possessing spiritInvisible spirits that possess the living.
EstoniaGiantBeings of human appearance, prodigious in sizeGiants vary in size, but are always humanoids who are vastly taller and larger then humans.
EswatiniNyanyabulembuThe Moss-Green Princessa hideous beast with a moss green hide.
EthiopiaHolawakaLegendary birdA colorful, mythical bird.
FijiDakuwaqaShark god, protector of the oceanHe was a shape-shifter and had the ability to morph into anything, even human beings. He was most ferocious in his natural state, a sleek yet powerful shark.
FinlandHaltijaElf-like creatures that provide the inspiration for Santa's elvesSmall and human-like, they are the origin of the Santa elf myth and image.
FranceGargoyleWinged stone creatures that scare away evilWinged, stone-skinned monstrosities that perch in high places.
GabonAnansiShapeshifting trickster, frequently a spiderAlong with his wife, Aso, Ananse can change form and may be depicted as a human, although his normal form is a spider.
GambiaKikiyaonOwl-headed flying monsterIt is described as resembling a large owl, especially its head. It has a huge beak and raking talons on its arms and feet. In many respects it is a mixture of bird and human. The Bambara people say it has a huge pair of feathered wings which grow from its back; the shoulder joint of which is tipped with a sharp spur, a deadly weapon if its talons fail. The most terrifying feature is the presence of razor sharp talons, much like those of a large owl, at the end of well-muscled legs.
GeorgiaDeviThree-headed giantsThese ogre-like creatures are covered in hair and have horns and several heads (from three up to a hundred).
GermanyDwarvesEntity that dwells in mountains and in the earth and is variously associated with wisdom, smithing, mining, and craftingDwarfs in folklore are usually described as old men with long beards.
GhanaAdzeVampiric fireflyIn the wild, the adze takes the form of a firefly.
GreeceGriffinA beast with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lionA beast with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion.
GrenadaLa DiablesseShape-shifting hag spiritA hideously-faced hag, who hides her face with alarge brimmed hat and long dress.
GuatemalaCamazotzA gigantic monster batGiant bats with long, protruding fangs, that stand upright like a person, their wings decorated with ornaments like human bones.
GuineajinnSupernatural spirits and demons, sometimes Anglicized as genieJinn are beings of flame or air who are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects—stones, trees, ruins—underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire.
GuyanaJumbeeA dark, shadowy malevolent entityA whispy, fog-like shadowy creature.
HaitiLoup GarouSorcerers with the power to transform into wolvesSimilar to the classic werewolf legend, although they can transform intoi other kinds of animals as well.
HondurasEl PicudoA beast-like creature that drinks the blood of animalsCreature with a dog's body and a pig's face.
Hong KongDragonSupernatural serpentIn stories, a Chinese (Asian) dragon can be composed of many different animal parts, but it’s more commonly depicted as having: the tail of a fish, the scales of a carp, the neck of a snake, the belly of a clam, the head of a camel, the claws of an eagle, the paws of a tiger, the ears of a cow, the eyes of a demon, the beard of a goat and the horns of a stag.
HungaryÖrdögShapeshifting demonic creatureÖrdög is often thought to look somewhat like a satyr or faun, a humanoid with the upper torso of a human male and lower portions of a goat; usually pitch-black, with cloven hooves, ram-like horns, a long tail ending in a blade; and he carries a pitchfork.
IcelandHuldufólk (elves)Elf-like creaturesLarge in build, their clothes are all grey, and their hair black. Their dwellings are in mounds, and they are also called elves.
IndiaSheshaGreat snake that supports the worldA great snake that holds all the planets of the universe on its folds.
IndonesiaOrang PendekApe-like bipedA ground-dwelling, bipedal primate that is covered in short fur and stands between 80 and 150 cm (30 and 60 in) tall.
IranJinnSupernatural spirits and demons, sometimes Anglicized as genieJinn are beings of flame or air who are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects—stones, trees, ruins—underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire.
IraqJinnSupernatural spirits and demons, sometimes Anglicized as genieJinn are beings of flame or air who are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects—stones, trees, ruins—underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire.
IrelandLeprechaunFairy-like creaturesA leprechaun usually taking the form of an old man with red or white beard, clad in a red or green coat. Popular depiction shows the leprechaun as being no taller than a small child, with a beard and hat, sitting on a toadstool.
IsraelLeviathanSea monsterIn the Old Testament, Leviathan appears in Psalms 74:14 as a multiheaded sea serpent that is killed by God and given as food to the Hebrews in the wilderness.
ItalyDragonMonstrous winged serpents that breathe fireEuropean dragons are depicted in various colors, but typically have wings and breathe fire.
Ivory CoastAnansiShapeshifting trickster, frequently a spiderAlong with his wife, Aso, Ananse can change form and may be depicted as a human, although his normal form is a spider.
JamaicaRolling CalfA monstrous bull wrapped in chainsA huge ghost in the shape of a cow, fiery eyes and wrapped in a chain.
JapanWaniA sea dragonWani are sea monsters that live in deep bodies of water. They have long, serpentine bodies, fins, and can breathe both air and water. Wani are able to shapeshift into humans, and there are even tales of wani and humans falling in love.
JordanJinnSupernatural spirits and demons, sometimes Anglicized as genieJinn are beings of flame or air who are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects—stones, trees, ruins—underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire.
KazakhstanTulparPegasusA winged horse similar to the pegasus.
KenyaNandi bearA ferocious bear-like beastDescriptions of the Nandi bear are of a ferocious, powerfully built carnivore with high front shoulders (over four feet tall) and a sloping back. Stories of the Nandi bear state that it is fierce, nocturnal, stands on its hind legs and can kill animals.
KiribatiTe Toa mai MatangA giantA giant who was very strong, and had a spear.
KuwaitTantalGhost that kidnaps children at nightA tall black man, of three meters in height, with disheveled hair whose feetseps were audibly heavy. He would roam around in the dead of night, holding a large staff or cane which he would use to strike his victims.
KyrgyzstanTulparPegasusA winged horse similar to the pegasus.
LaosPhaya NagaDragon-like river serpentSerpent-like creatures, believed by locals to live in the Mekong river or estuaries. Common explanations of their sightings have been attributed to oarfish, elongated fish with red crests; however, these are exclusively marine and usually live at great depths.
LatviaWerewolfA person who transforms into a wolfWhen werewolves were in their animal form, it is said that there are surprisingly few differences between the creature and an actual wolf. One of the biggest indicators of a werewolf would be the absence of a tail – though Swedish folklore suggests that some werewolves ran on three legs and held their fourth leg out behind them to appear like a normal wolf from a distance. It was also thought that werewolves had human eyes and voices.
LebanonJinnSupernatural spirits and demons, sometimes Anglicized as genieJinn are beings of flame or air who are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects—stones, trees, ruins—underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire.
LesothoDragonGiant serpent-like creatures inhabiting the local mountainsGiant serpent-like creatures inhabiting the local mountains.
LiberiaAnansiShapeshifting trickster, frequently a spiderAlong with his wife, Aso, Ananse can change form and may be depicted as a human, although his normal form is a spider.
LibyaJinnSupernatural spirits and demons, sometimes Anglicized as genieJinn are beings of flame or air who are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects—stones, trees, ruins—underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire.
LiechtensteinDragonMonstrous winged serpents that breathe fireEuropean dragons are depicted in various colors, but typically have wings and breathe fire.
LithuaniaVampireBlood-drinkers who prey on humansVampires are typically said to be of pale skin and range in appearance from grotesque to preternaturally beautiful, with fangs, depending on the tale. Another frequently cited physical characteristic is the inability to cast a reflection or shadow
LuxembourgGnomeDwarfish, subterranean goblin or earth spirit who guards mines of precious treasures hidden in the earth.A small, physically deformed (usually hunchbacked) creature resembling a dry, gnarled old man.
MacauDragonSupernatural serpentIn stories, a Chinese (Asian) dragon can be composed of many different animal parts, but it’s more commonly depicted as having: the tail of a fish, the scales of a carp, the neck of a snake, the belly of a clam, the head of a camel, the claws of an eagle, the paws of a tiger, the ears of a cow, the eyes of a demon, the beard of a goat and the horns of a stag.
MadagascarAntambaDog-like creatureA dog-sized animal with a round head, resembling a leopard, and is said to kill both cattle and people.
MalawiNyuvwiraMulti-headed snakeA nyuvwira has eight heads and is the largest snake in the world. It generates electricity and lights at night. It lives underground, which is fortunate as it is extremely toxic.
MalaysiaAbathUnicorn-like creatureDescribed as female, with a single horn growing from its forehead, it is speculated that these were probably the result of a half-glimpsed Javan or Sumatran rhinoceros.
MaliJinnSupernatural spirits and demons, sometimes Anglicized as genieJinn are beings of flame or air who are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects—stones, trees, ruins—underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire.
MaltaGiantBeings of human appearance, prodigious in sizeGiants vary in size, but are always humanoids who are vastly taller and larger then humans.
Marshall IslandsmermaidPart human, part fish sea creaturesAn aquatic creature with the head and upper body of a female human and the tail of a fish.
MauritaniaJinnSupernatural spirits and demons, sometimes Anglicized as genieJinn are beings of flame or air who are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects—stones, trees, ruins—underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire.
MauritiusSoucouyantWitchAn old woman shapeshifter, who trips off her wrinkled skin and flies around in her true form, a fireball.
MexicoQuetzalcoatlFeathered SerpentA giant magical serpent covered in green feathers. Many depictions incorrectly attribute wings to it.
MicronesiaNei TituaabineTree goddessIs a red-haired maiden in Micronesian mythology, specifically in Kiribati. She fell in love with the giant haired-skinned chief, Auriaria, but they had no children. After her death, three trees grew from her grave: a coconut from her head, a pandanus from her heels and an almond from her navel.
MoldovaBalaurType of dragonA balaur is a creature in Moldavian andRomanian folklore, similar to a European dragon. This creature is quite large, has fins, feet, and it usually has three, sometimes seven, or even twelve serpent heads.
MonacoDames blanchesFemale spiritsHey hold the appearance of beautiful ladies with long hair and, as their name indicated, they wear white gowns. In certain stories, they seem to hold certain resemblances to the Irish Banshees.
MongoliaAlmaHumanoid creatureAlmases are typically described as human-like bipedal animals, between five and six and a half feet tall, their bodies covered with reddish-brown hair, with anthropomorphic facial features including a pronounced browridge, flat nose, and a weak chin.
MontenegroBaba YagaWitchA wrinkled, white-haired old hag, who lives in a hut that stands on chicken legs.
MoroccoJinnSupernatural spirits and demons, sometimes Anglicized as genieJinn are beings of flame or air who are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects—stones, trees, ruins—underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire.
MozambiqueShetaniDevil-like creaturesPhysically, shetani of various types appear as distorted human and animal figures.
MyanmarChintheLIon-like creatureA highly stylized leogryph (lion-like creature) commonly depicted in Burmese iconography and Myanmar architecture, especially as a pair of guardians flanking the entrances of Buddhist pagodas and kyaung (or Buddhist monasteries).
NamibiaNamibian Flying SnakeGargantuan flying serpentDescribed as a gargantuan serpent, yellow, brown with light spots, black, a bioluminescent crest, horns, a neck that can inflate and deflate, and leathery bat-like wings.
NauruAreop-EnapSpider-god of creationAn old spider.
NepalYetiHumanoid creatureBigfoot-like tall humanoid, covered in pale fur or hair.
NetherlandsGnomeDwarfish, subterranean goblin or earth spirit who guards mines of precious treasures hidden in the earth.A small, physically deformed (usually hunchbacked) creature resembling a dry, gnarled old man.
New ZealandTaniwhaPower water beingsAt sea, a taniwha often appears as a whale or as quite a large shark;[4] compare the Māori name for the Great white shark: mangō-taniwha. In inland waters, they may still be of whale-like dimensions, but look more like a gecko or a tuatara, having a row of spines along the back.
NicaraguaLa CarretanaguaA ghostly caravan of ox cartsThose have ‘seen’ this mysterious entourage of oxen and lost souls say that it moves quickly and is unable to turn corners due to is cross shape, simply disappearing as it reaches the end of a road.
NigerAnansiShapeshifting trickster, frequently a spiderAlong with his wife, Aso, Ananse can change form and may be depicted as a human, although his normal form is a spider.
NigeriaAnansiShapeshifting trickster, frequently a spiderAlong with his wife, Aso, Ananse can change form and may be depicted as a human, although his normal form is a spider.
North KoreaDragonSupernatural serpentIn stories, a Chinese (Asian) dragon can be composed of many different animal parts, but it’s more commonly depicted as having: the tail of a fish, the scales of a carp, the neck of a snake, the belly of a clam, the head of a camel, the claws of an eagle, the paws of a tiger, the ears of a cow, the eyes of a demon, the beard of a goat and the horns of a stag.
North MacedoniaVampireBlood-drinkers who prey on humansVampires are typically said to be of pale skin and range in appearance from grotesque to preternaturally beautiful, with fangs, depending on the tale. Another frequently cited physical characteristic is the inability to cast a reflection or shadow
NorwayTrollLarge, rock-like giantsUnlike their forest-dwelling cousins, cave trolls live completely underground and are generally depicted as smaller than humans with a large round abdomen and short stubby arms and legs. These are more akin to the trolls that help Queen Elsa in Frozen.
OmanJinnSupernatural spirits and demons, sometimes Anglicized as genieJinn are beings of flame or air who are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects—stones, trees, ruins—underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire.
PakistanBarmanouYeti-like creatureThe Barmanou allegedly possesses both human and apelike characteristics and has a reputation for abducting women and attempting to mate with them. It is also reported to wear animal skins upon its back and head. The Barmanou appears in the folklore of the Northern Regions of Pakistan and depending on where the stories come from it tends to be either described as an ape or a wild man.
PalauAreop-EnapSpider-god of creationAn old spider.
PalestineJinnSupernatural spirits and demons, sometimes Anglicized as genieJinn are beings of flame or air who are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects—stones, trees, ruins—underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire.
PanamaCadejoCanine spirits that appear to travelers at nightLarge, shaggy dogs with burning eyes and goats hooves a white one (helpful) and a black one (dangerous).
Papua New GuineaNew Guinea TigerMysterious catA lion-sized cat.
ParaguayTeju JaguaMulti-headed dog-lizardA huge lizard with seven dog heads and eyes that shoot fire.
PeruMukiGoblin-like monster that inhabits minesSmall, brawny creature with pointy ears, long white beards, carries mining lantern.
PhilippinesAswangShapeshiftersAswang is an umbrella term for various shape-shifting evil spirits in Filipino folklore, such as vampires, ghouls, witches, viscera suckers, and werebeasts (usually dogs, cats, pigs).
PolandBaba YagaWitchA wrinkled, white-haired old hag, who lives in a hut that stands on chicken legs.
PortugalCocoSpirit that abducts childrenIt is not the way the Coco looks but what it does that scares most. It is a child eater and a kidnapper; it may immediately devour the child, leaving no trace, or it may spirit the child away to a place of no return, but it only does this to disobedient children. It is on the lookout for children's misbehavior from the rooftops; it takes the shape of any dark shadow and stays watching. It represents the opposite of the guardian angel and is frequently compared to the devil. Others see the Coco as a representation of the deceased of the local community.
QatarJinnSupernatural spirits and demons, sometimes Anglicized as genieJinn are beings of flame or air who are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects—stones, trees, ruins—underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire.
Republic of the CongoEmela-ntoukaMonstrous beast, killer of elephantsdescribed as a hairless elephant-sized animal with a crocodile-like tail and a large horn on its nose.
RomaniaBalaurType of dragonA balaur is a creature in Moldavian and Romanian folklore, similar to a European dragon. This creature is quite large, has fins, feet, and it usually has three, sometimes seven, or even twelve serpent heads.
RussiaBaba YagaWitchA wrinkled, white-haired old hag, who lives in a hut that stands on chicken legs.
RwandaNandi bearA ferocious bear-like beastDescriptions of the Nandi bear are of a ferocious, powerfully built carnivore with high front shoulders (over four feet tall) and a sloping back. Stories of the Nandi bear state that it is fierce, nocturnal, stands on its hind legs and can kill animals.
Saint Kitts and NevisJumbeeA dark, shadowy malevolent entityA whispy, fog-like shadowy creature.
Saint LuciaSoucouyantWitchAn old woman shapeshifter, who trips off her wrinkled skin and flies around in her true form, a fireball.
Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesJumbeeA dark, shadowy malevolent entityA whispy, fog-like shadowy creature.
SamoaAituGhosts
San MarinoDragonMonstrous winged serpents that breathe fireEuropean dragons are depicted in various colors, but typically have wings and breathe fire.
Sao Tome and PrincipeAnansiShapeshifting trickster, frequently a spiderAlong with his wife, Aso, Ananse can change form and may be depicted as a human, although his normal form is a spider.
Saudi ArabiaJinnSupernatural spirits and demons, sometimes Anglicized as genieJinn are beings of flame or air who are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects—stones, trees, ruins—underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire.
SenegalKikiyaonOwl-headed flying monsterIt is described as resembling a large owl, especially its head. It has a huge beak and raking talons on its arms and feet. In many respects it is a mixture of bird and human. The Bambara people say it has a huge pair of feathered wings which grow from its back; the shoulder joint of which is tipped with a sharp spur, a deadly weapon if its talons fail. The most terrifying feature is the presence of razor sharp talons, much like those of a large owl, at the end of well-muscled legs.
SerbiaVampireBlood-drinkers who prey on humansVampires are typically said to be of pale skin and range in appearance from grotesque to preternaturally beautiful, with fangs, depending on the tale. Another frequently cited physical characteristic is the inability to cast a reflection or shadow.
SeychellesSongoulaApe-like creatureA monkey or ape like figure, possibly a small man in Seychellois folklore.
Sierra LeoneAnansiShapeshifting trickster, frequently a spiderAlong with his wife, Aso, Ananse can change form and may be depicted as a human, although his normal form is a spider.
SingaporeMerlionAquatic creatureMythical creature with a lion's head and the body of a fish.
SlovakiaBaba YagaWitchA wrinkled, white-haired old hag, who lives in a hut that stands on chicken legs.
SloveniaDragonMonstrous winged serpents that breathe fireEuropean dragons are depicted in various colors, but typically have wings and breathe fire.
Solomon IslandsAdaroMerfolkAn adaro is described as a man with gills behind his ears, tail fins for feet, a horn like a shark's dorsal fin, and a swordfish or sawfish-like spear growing out of his head.
SomaliaAyaanleBenevolent spiritsGood spirits and acted as mediators between God and humans.
South AfricaTokilosheDwarf-like water spriteSmall water sprites, withered and gray, with gouged-out eyesand a hole in its skull.
South KoreaDragonSupernatural serpentIn stories, a Chinese (Asian) dragon can be composed of many different animal parts, but it’s more commonly depicted as having: the tail of a fish, the scales of a carp, the neck of a snake, the belly of a clam, the head of a camel, the claws of an eagle, the paws of a tiger, the ears of a cow, the eyes of a demon, the beard of a goat and the horns of a stag.
South SudanLauRiver monsterLarge, carnivorous, tentacled dinosaur-like creature.
SpainCocoSpirit that abducts childrenIt is not the way the Coco looks but what it does that scares most. It is a child eater and a kidnapper; it may immediately devour the child, leaving no trace, or it may spirit the child away to a place of no return, but it only does this to disobedient children. It is on the lookout for children's misbehavior from the rooftops; it takes the shape of any dark shadow and stays watching. It represents the opposite of the guardian angel and is frequently compared to the devil. Others see the Coco as a representation of the deceased of the local community.
Sri LankaChintheLion-like creatureA highly stylized leogryph (lion-like creature) commonly depicted in Burmese iconography and Myanmar architecture, especially as a pair of guardians flanking the entrances of Buddhist pagodas and kyaung (or Buddhist monasteries).
SudanBoudaWere-hyena In Ethiopia, it is traditionally believed that every blacksmith, whose trade is hereditary, is really a wizard or witch with the power to change into a hyena. These blacksmith werehyenas are believed to rob graves at midnight and are referred to as bouda.
SurinameAsemaA vampire-like witchAppears at night as a ball of blue light.
SwedenElfBeautiful, magical creatures that inhabit forestsAn elf has a beautiful and seductive appearance, while being able to do magic and illusions. There are different types of elf that have been described;half transparent spirit, adult women sizes and small fairy sizes. There is a common saying in Sweden, which is ‘the elves are dancing in the mist’, as elves are associated with the mist.
SwitzerlandDragonMonstrous winged serpents that breathe fireEuropean dragons are depicted in various colors, but typically have wings and breathe fire........
SyriaRocGigantic birdLegendary birds big enough to carry off an elephant.
Taiwanmô-sîn-áSmall fairies or devilsTaiwan’s mô-sîn-á are usually believed to be small in stature. They are thought to be hobbit-like creatures—nimble and often appear like small children.
TajikistanAlDemonThey have clay noses and fiery eyes, and "appear with sharp fangs, disheveled hair, copper claws, iron teeth, the tusks of a wild boar and sagging breasts, resembling a crone.
TanzaniaPopobawaGigantic bat with one eyePopobawa is a shapeshifter and described as taking different forms, not just that of a bat as its name implies. It can take either human or animal form, and metamorphose from one into the other. It frequently is depicted with only one eye.
ThailandPhaya NagaDragon-like river serpentSerpent-like creatures, believed by locals to live in the Mekong river or estuaries. Common explanations of their sightings have been attributed to oarfish, elongated fish with red crests; however, these are exclusively marine and usually live at great depths.
Timor LesteBrother CrocodileRevered crocodiles who created the islandAn immense crocodile.
TogoAdzeVampiric fireflyIn the wild, the adze takes the form of a firefly,
TongaTakuakaShark godHe was a shape-shifter and had the ability to morph into anything, even human beings. He was most ferocious in his natural state, a sleek yet powerful shark.
Trinidad and TobagoSoucouyantWitchAn old woman shapeshifter, who trips off her wrinkled skin and flies around in her true form, a fireball.
TunisiaJinnSupernatural spirits and demons, sometimes Anglicized as genieJinn are beings of flame or air who are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects—stones, trees, ruins—underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire.
TurkeyDragonImmense mythical serpentsAlso expressed as a snake or lizard, is the symbol of might and power.
TurkmenistanJinnSupernatural spirits and demons, sometimes Anglicized as genieJinn are beings of flame or air who are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects—stones, trees, ruins—underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire.
Tuvalute Pusi mo te AliThe Eel and the FlounderAn eel and a flounder fish are said to be the creators of their islands.
UgandaLukwataLake monsterIt has been described as 20–30 feet long, with dark smooth skin and a rounded head, and known to attack fishermen and boats.
UkraineBaba YagaWitchA wrinkled, white-haired old hag, who lives in a hut that stands on chicken legs.
United Arab EmiratesJinnSupernatural spirits and demons, sometimes Anglicized as genieJinn are beings of flame or air who are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects—stones, trees, ruins—underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire.
United StatesSasquatchBipedal, hairy humanoid that is said to live in deep forestsHairy humanoid, extremely tall with large feet.
UruguayLuisonWerewolfThe name of Luison is a variation of Lobizón, a name used in Argentina and Uruguay to describe the werewolf or a similar creature, which is itself a variation of the Brazilian name for the werewolf, Lobisomem, more literally wolf-man.
UzbekistanSimurghPhoenix-like birdThe simurgh is depicted in Iranian art as a winged creature in the shape of a bird, gigantic enough to carry off an elephant or a whale. It appears as a peacock with the head of a dog and the claws of a lion – sometimes, however, also with a human face.
VanuatuAbaiaMagical eelA huge, magical eel.
VenezuelaWakoCave-digging, fanged monstersThe Wako are tsawekuri, animal spirits in the folklore of the Cuiva of Colombia and Venezuela. They look like pacas, with spots and long vicious fangs. Wako dig caves with many small exits and hiding-places, and live there in large numbers.
VietnamDragonSupernatural serpentIn stories, a Chinese (Asian) dragon can be composed of many different animal parts, but it’s more commonly depicted as having: the tail of a fish, the scales of a carp, the neck of a snake, the belly of a clam, the head of a camel, the claws of an eagle, the paws of a tiger, the ears of a cow, the eyes of a demon, the beard of a goat and the horns of a stag.
YemenJinnSupernatural spirits and demons, sometimes Anglicized as genieJinn are beings of flame or air who are capable of assuming human or animal form and are said to dwell in all conceivable inanimate objects—stones, trees, ruins—underneath the earth, in the air, and in fire.
ZambiaKongamatoLarge lizard with leathery bat wingsIt is described as a reddish lizard with membranous wings and teeth in its beak. Its wingspan ranges from 4 to 100 feet across. When shown a picture of a pterosaur, natives said that it was a picture of a kongamato.
ZimbabweNyaminyamiSnakelike river spiritVariously described as having the body of a snake and the head of a fish, a whirlpool or a river dragon, the Nyami Nyami is seen as the god of Zambezi Valley and the river before the creation of the Kariba Dam. The Nyami Nyami is regularly depicted as a snake-like being or dragon-like creature with a snake's torso and the head of a fish.

Which country has a mythical national animal?

Several countries have mythical national animals, including Lebanon (Phoenix), Wales (Red Dragon), Scotland (Unicorn), and Serbia (White Eagle).

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources