The catoblepas is a legendary creature from Ethiopia. It is described as a mix of a cow, warthog, and hippopotamus that lived in swamps and wastelands. Its name means “to look downwards” due to its head always looking down. Its stare or breath could turn people to stone. It is often called the African version of the Gorgon.

This monstrous creature was considered terrifying with a large body of a bovine, sitting atop squat legs and a long neck with a head that resembled a warthog. The catoblepas possessed a scent that reeked of death and famine, not unlike the swamp gas that filled the environment they lived.

The catoblepas possessed intelligence, grazing on grass and occasionally carrion. It was said that when the full moon shone, they ventured out to hunt for fresh meat.

So what inspired this monster?

The gnu – more commonly called wildebeest – is a group of large African antelopes. The name Wildebeest originate from Dutch meaning “wild beast.” The term “gnu” comes from the Khosian language. The terms are used interchangeably.

The gnu is a keystone species in the plain and acacia savanna ecosystems in southeastern Africa. There are several physical similarities between the gnu and the catoblepas. The gnu has a robust bovine body and a long warthog-esque face. The long face on a long neck as well as the hooded eyes gives the impression the creature is looking down.

Gnus live in a wide variety of habitats, thriving in open plains and temperate grasslands. Some species of gnus are nomadic and migrate in large herds from Tanzania to Kenya. This Great Migration seems to coincide with the changing seasons. They move to where water and food is abundant.

If you travel to Africa, you can watch the Great Migration through the Serengeti between the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania to the Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya. Though you may not run into a catoblepas, you will see hundreds of thousands of those that inspired the legend.

Sources:

Bell, J. (2014, August 30). The GNU. A Step Ahead. Retrieved January 7, 2023, from https://www.astepahead.es/the-gnu/

Catoblepas. Forgotten Realms Wiki. (n.d.). Retrieved January 7, 2023, from https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Catoblepas

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). GNU. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved January 7, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/animal/gnu

Glatz, K. (2022, September 21). GNU vs Wildebeest: Is there a difference? AZ Animals. Retrieved January 7, 2023, from https://a-z-animals.com/blog/gnu-vs-wildebeest/

Ham, A., Persson, B., Olum, J., & Ogutu, J. (2019). The Great Wildebeest Migration. Horizon Guide, 1–69.

McGowen, T. (1981). Encyclopedia of Legendary Creatures. Rand McNally. p. 28.