Top 5 Mythical Monsters You Don’t Want to Meet

Himalayan mountains

What is it though? Often described as a giant, shy, apelike creature, the yeti apparently walks on two legs. Films tend to depict yetis with white fur, but eyewitnesses usually describe them as reddish-brown. (Doesn’t sound that scary though, ed). You’re right. Yetis – even if they do exist – probably have more to fear from humans than the other way around.

Who knew? The name ‘abominable snowman’ is actually a mistranslation of the term metoh-kangmi, which means ‘man-bear snow-man’, or ‘wild man of the snows’ in the local tongue. In Tibetan lore there are three different kinds of yeti – the Nyalmo, the Chuti and the Rang Shin Bombo.

South and Central America

What is it though? This little guy is seriously draining, especially if you happen to be a goat. Yup – he’s after blood. All of it. All the time. It’s a blummin’ nightmare. If you see a hairless dog with glowing red eyes, spines along its back and fangs bared, lock up your pets.

Who knew? In 1995, an eyewitness described the chupacabra as a kangaroo crossed with a reptile. (Leaping lizards! Ed). I mean, is it possible that this person had seen the film Species, which featured similar looking aliens and came out in the same year? Sure it is. Why do you ask?

Philippines

What is it though? By day? Absolutely no bother at all. Just an ordinary human being. By night? Flesh-eating, shapeshifting, part-vampire/part-werewolf all-round horror show. Oh and its favourite prey is children. It’s fine though, because they have a ‘tell’. Basically, if you see yourself reflected upside-down in your geography teacher’s eyes: RUN!

Who knew? When the aswang is ready to eat, its tongue starts to drip and it emits a ‘tick tick’ noise. To confuse its victim, it gets quieter the closer it gets. (Sneaky! Ed)

India, Pakistan and Bangladesh

What is it though? Oh nothing to worry about, only a blood-sucking spirit hell-bent on avenging her own death. The churail has wild hair, claws, tusks and a black tongue but she can disguise herself. Watch out for feet that point backwards – they’re the only feature a churail can’t hide.

Who knew? Old stories tell of wary travellers who stumble across a churail’s footprints and run in the opposite direction – straight into the creature’s clutches! (Because of the whole backwards feet thing? Ed) Of course because of that. Were you not paying attention?

Australia

What is it though? This creature’s indigenous Australian name means something like ‘evil spirit’. It hangs out at swamps, creeks and watering holes waiting for unsuspecting prey. Accounts vary as to the Bunyip’s appearance. Sometimes it’s described as a hippo-like creature, sometimes a cross between a crocodile and an emu, or even an oversized starfish. Just, whatever you do, avoid the water OK? The truth is out there, but you don’t want to come face to face with it on your afternoon hike.

Who knew? Some people believe that the bunyip could be a surviving Diprotodon (that’s a giant wombat to you and me). Does that mean it does cubed poos? Your guess is as good as ours.