Up Next
Back to Show
Monstrum
Basilisk or Cockatrice? The Mysterious King of Serpents
Season 3
Episode 7
A venomous snake who can kill with its gaze alone, the basilisk has terrified us for thousands of years. But it also has another name—the cockatrice. That’s right, the reptile-chicken hybrid creature and the poisonous snake are actually the same monster. Find out how a real snake likely inspired tales of a mythological serpent in the 1st century CE that over time turned into a mythological beast.
Support Provided By
19:43
In this second episode of our special series, we move from the zombi to the Romero zombie.
9:24
The pontianak, or kuntilanak, has long been a staple of Malay horror.
16:50
The first episode of our three-part special series on the complex history of the zombie.
7:55
This horse-like horror emerges from the sea bringing death and disease.
10:50
Spring-heeled Jack became both a terrifying boogeyman and an avenging hero.
17:13
Find out what theories have been disproven—and what questions are still unanswered.
10:10
We picture sirens as similar to mermaids, but the original first sirens weren’t fish-like.
7:29
A constant in the stories of the bunyip is the role of Aboriginal storytelling & culture.
9:53
This shapeshifting female spider monster from Japan might be your worst nightmare.
9:58
There are few modern monsters more notorious, or more recognized, than Slenderman.
10:25
The jinni are far more important, and frightening, than pop culture would have us believe.