This text discusses creatures often shrouded in myth, separating fact from fiction, and exploring the origins of various legends. It begins by correcting the popular misconception about the intelligence of the dodo bird, which was actually quite clever.
Then, it delves into the realm of strange and often misunderstood extinct animals, showcasing creatures like the platybelodon and dinotherium. It also explores the origins of mythological creatures such as the nagumo mo nene, a giant lizard that lived in central Africa, and the thylacoleo, a carnivorous marsupial with a powerful bite.
The text also touches on the subject of hypnosis in relation to the Australian myth of the bunyip, which is believed to be based on the extinct thylacoleo. Additionally, it mentions the giant devil frog, the largest frog to have ever existed, and its incredibly powerful jaws.
Furthermore, the text explores the world of extinct arthropods, including the haberotoothis, a squid that lived during the Cretaceous period, and the pulmonoscorpius, a giant scorpion that was the largest known arthropod to have ever existed.
Finally, it discusses the possibility that the gigantopithecus, a genus of great ape, might not be entirely extinct, with some legends suggesting that its descendants, such as Bigfoot and the Yeti, may still be living in remote, inaccessible areas.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The dodo bird was a popular choice among subscribers to be resurrected.
2. The dodo bird was also known as the "duodo" by Dutch sailors, which translates to "idiot".
3. The dodo bird became a symbol of stupidity due to its inability to fly and clumsy running.
4. New research has disproved the notion that dodos were simple-minded.
5. Scientists have compared the body size to the brains of dodos and concluded that they were clever birds.
6. If scientists collect enough DNA, they may be able to clone a dodo and implant it in the eggs of a closely related pigeon.
7. The platybelladon was a genus of extinct proboscideans that lived 15 million years ago.
8. The platybelladon had four tusks and a shovel-like lower jaw.
9. The dinotherium was a creature that survived until the early Pleistocene era.
10. The dinotherium had tusks that pointed backwards.
11. The nagumo mo nene is a giant lizard that lived in central Africa.
12. The nagumo mo nene had a forked tongue, short legs, and a serrated frill along its spine.
13. The nagumo mo nene was 15 meters long and could eat birds and monkeys.
14. The therozinosaurs had three claws on each of its paws, with each claw being over a meter long.
15. The therozinosaurs were 12 meters tall and had a relatively tiny skull.
16. The bunyip is a mythological creature from Australian Aboriginal folklore.
17. The bunyip was said to have the power of hypnosis and could turn people into slaves.
18. The bunyip was likely a thylacoleo, an extinct Australian marsupial.
19. The giant devil frog, also known as the Beelzebufo ampinga, was the largest frog to have existed.
20. The giant devil frog was the size of a pit bull and weighed as much as an Alaskan dog.
21. The giant devil frog had jaws capable of producing pressure equivalent to 2,200 newtons.
22. The Akoro Kamui is a mythological creature from Ainu folklore.
23. The Akoro Kamui was a huge octopus that could heal and transfer knowledge.
24. The Akoro Kamui could self-amputate and regenerate its limbs.
25. The Pulmonoscorpius was a genus of eurypterid that lived during the Paleozoic era.
26. The Pulmonoscorpius was the largest known arthropod to have existed.
27. The Pulmonoscorpius had enlarged pincers and four limbs.
28. The Gigantopithecus was a genus of great ape that lived in the late Miocene, Pliocene, and Pleistocene eras.
29. The Gigantopithecus was over 3 meters tall and weighed approximately 500 kilograms.
30. The Gigantopithecus was likely the inspiration for the legend of Bigfoot.