In “The Book of Imaginary Beings,” Jorge Luis Borges put together a compendium of more than a hundred strange creatures imagined throughout history. These are just some of the ones we can be glad (and maybe a little sad) are not actually real.
The Strong Toad
This toad distinguishes itself from other toads in that its back is covered in a turtle shell. This toad gets its name from being so tough that the only thing that can possibly kill it is to reduce it to ashes. Oh and it glows in the dark. Even scarier? It has a stare so powerful it can attract or repel whatever it pleases.
Via: marydauterman.com
The Kilkenny Cat
The legend of Kilkenny Cats dates from the eighteenth century. It is said that these cats got in 'furious fights' and destroyed each other, leaving only their tails in tact.
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The Catoblepas
'Catoblepas', translated from Greek, means 'to look downward.' According to Pliny, this creature can be found within Ethiopia, near the Nile. It is an almost comedically tragic figure; it has the body of a black buffalo with a boar's head so heavy it tilts over. Pliny states, "were it not for this circumstance, it would prove the destruction of the human race; for all who behold its eyes, fall dead upon the spot". His eyelids trap in his only defense, his death gaze, and so he is left acutely aware of his potential but unable to live up to it.
Via: marydauterman.com
The Axehandle Hound
This nocturnal creature has a face of an axe and a normal body of a dog. It eats solely axe handles that are left unattended.
This writer thinks he's not scary, just misunderstood.
Via: marydauterman.com
