Our history texts have always included fantastical monsters. Some are even supposed to exist right now, skulking in the shadows and attempting to blend in with humans. Some are thought to be made up, while others may be related to extinct creatures. Whatever our opinions on these creatures, the fact remains that we continue to be as enthralled by them as we ever were.

10. Kraken/Leviathan
Leviathan is a Ridgeling sevenheaded monster known for his amazing size, while Kraken is a massive squidlike octopuslike creature with unrelenting aggressiveness. However, with either of these monsters present, the seas are dangerous. Whether they are real or made up, they are among the most ferocious sea monsters.

9. Composite Species
There are innumerable composite species from various cultures all over the world, such as a human body on horse legs, a bull's head on a human body, and a lion's body with a human face. Even the hybrid chimera known as a lion, dragon, and goat can be categorized under this heading.

8. Phoenix
This vibrant bird, which has Greek mythological roots, became the emblem of early Christianity. A phoenix has an extended life and passes away in a spectacle of flame and combustion before emerging from the remains of its deceased predecessor to begin a new, eternal life.

7. Unicorn
This fabled animal, which resembles a horse but with a horn protruding from its forehead, is one of the most wellknown mythical beasts. Only a virgin may catch them, and they stand for innocence and grace.

6. Mermaids/Sirens and Fairies
These animals all share the trait of being the legend's seducers. They are aquatic creatures with an upper body resembling a female human and a lower body resembling a fish. In Greek mythology, sirens are the stuff of sailors' nightmares. They use their beauty and their wonderful singing to enchant any sailor.

5. Werewolf
They are the mythical creatures capable of changing into wolves or creatures that resemble wolves. You will suffer a terrible transformation into one of these shapeshifting wolfmen if you are bitten or even scratched by them.

4. Bigfoot/Yeti
Bigfoots are essentially enormous humans with hair on them. They are reportedly inhibited primarily in forests in the Pacific Northeast. Despite having visual proof, scientists do not believe that these monsters exist.

3. Vampires
Although they go by different names, vampires are among the uncommon creatures that can be found across many cultures. They are the popular mythical monsters that are undead and prowl the countryside in search of a victim to bite and drain their body of all the blood. They can change their shape and are skilled seducers.

2. Dragons
Numerous cultures around the world have their own versions of these fabled creatures with reptile characteristics, but Asian and European versions are the most common.

1. Loch Ness Monster
Since the sixth century, there have been several accounts of Nessie sightings, notably the one in the 1930s that started the obsession among explorers. But scientists continue to deny the existence of these creatures, labeling them as modern myths, and they explain sightings as misidentifications and hoaxes.