Mythology is full of weird and wonderful creatures. From dragons causing havoc to mermaids luring mariners, and everything in between, stories of mythical creatures prevail to this day. But where do they come from, really? Were such creatures real, or were they inspired by—or mistaken for—real creatures?
In this gallery, we take you on a journey through some of history's most popular mythological creatures and reveal which real-life animals they're probably based on. Click through to get started.