Did you know that these four animals with spooky names exist? 

Are you someone who loves watching horror or supernatural movies? Do ghosts, demons, witches and vampires give you an adrenaline rush? Well, you aren’t alone! Actually, there are supernatural creatures that exist in the animal world too! Yes, that’s right, there are certain species with spooky names. But whether or not they are really horrifying is what we need to figure out. Come, let us do it together. 

Vampire squid 
First things first. Even though this cephalopod has a spooky name, it is not a bloodsucker, something that vampires are known for. In fact, this vampire squid from hell (its nickname) often ignores living preys and instead feeds on dead planktons, algae and other expired animal remains floating in tropical deep-sea water where it thrives. It also has bioluminescent organ that allows it to survive in the areas with lowest oxygen concentration. Okay, but how did it get its spooky name? Well, that has got to do with its striking appearance – pale red gelatinous body, blue eyes, velvety jet-black cloak-like connective tissue hanging in between its eight arms.  

Ghost bat 
Also known as false vampire bat, ghost bat is a kind of a tiny bat native to northern Australia. It has greyish white soft fur, long and narrow (often invisible) wings and sharp teeth. It derives its name from its distinctive pale appearance and nocturnal nature. Interestingly, it’s the only Australian bat that feasts on large vertebrates such as birds, reptiles (lizards) and mammals. They are expert predators thanks to active eyesight, sonar hearing and a heightened sense of echolocation.  

Death’s-head hawkmoth  
Let us first take a moment to appreciate this moth’s name and laud whoever came up with it. This moth, common across Europe and Asia derives its super spooky name from two prominent characteristics. The first is a patch of tiny yellowish hairs on the back of its thorax that eerily resembles human skull while the next is the noise (an eerie, squeaking humming) that it makes when disturbed. This sound generates from accordion-like muscles located behind its mouth. This moth is also primarily active during night, giving another reason for its name. It is said that the moth can often enlarge its skull-like feature to deter potential predators. 

Gila monster 
Native to the arid regions of southwestern USA and north-western Mexico, Gila monster is a lizard that spends majority of its life underground in burrows. But true o its name, it is a monster considering whenever it comes out, it devours other creatures (mostly insects and smaller reptiles) with its venom. In fact, its poison is said to be as toxic as a diamondback rattlesnake. However, the good news is, they only have three to four meals annually. This slow-moving reptile is quite heavy and is the only venomous and largest lizard in North America. Wondering what Gila refers to? Well, it’s the name of the place where it was first discovered and has most population density – the Gila River Basin located in between Arizona and New Mexico.