Top 5 (Non-Mermaid) Beasts of Lore That Could Be Real and Out to Get You

Bites at Animal Planet

Everyone's got mermaids on the brain these days (Thanks, us!) but what about all those other beastly creatures of old timey lore? Don't get too comfortable when you turn those lights out at night -- here are the top 5 beasts (very well-documented in our freaky series Lost Tapes!) that don't need agua to prey on you. Sweet dreams!

1. VAMPIRES
No doubt, vampires are SO HOT right now. Thanks to pop culture phenoms of books, TV and film, these blood-sucking, pale-skinned, often ripped and statuesque visions of sexiness are hard to ignore. *drool* But are they real and out to get you?! Or, just looking for a good time? Watch how these vamps really work in this Lost Tapes clip:

2. ZOMBIES
It's been all over the news under the guise of 'bath salts addicts' but you and I know the truth: THE ZOMBIES ARE COMING! Are you prepared?? Check the CDC's zombie preparedness website to make sure you've got everything you need for the coming APOCALYPSE so you don't end up like these guys.

3. WEREWOLF
Though you may have the hot, rock hard, ab-tastic image of these guys in your head, don't let your guard down for a minute if you ever find yourself in a (delicious) werewolf fantasy. Hollywood may have dolled them up to be totally irresistible, but an actual encounter may be more horrifying than hot and heavy.

4. CHUPACABRA
The legend began in the 1990's when farm animals in Puerto Rico began turning up dead, drained of blood but the rest of their bodies intact. Is El Chupacabra an alien life form? A military experiment gone horribly wrong? Watch the story ... and, make sure you lock up your house and kids real tight.

5. SWAMP CREATURE
According to legend, the Swamp Creature has been living deep in Louisiana’s Honey Island Swamp, outside of New Orleans, for over 100 years. Preying on small animals and children, this beast is said to be the lovechild of a star-crossed chimpanzee and alligator. *shudder*