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"Hardly any wetland bird is more easily identified than the Roseate Spoonbill"
This article contains information relating to a former cryptid. Former cryptids are either cryptids proven to exist, or those that are no longer considered cryptids. |
| Scientific Classification | |
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Kingdom |
Animalia |
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Phylum |
Chordata |
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Class |
Mammalia |
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Order |
Artiodactyla |
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Family |
Bovidae |
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Genus |
Cetaformia (false) |
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Species |
C. anthalopus (false) |
The Gilled Antelope or Gilled Deer (Cetaformia anthalopus) was a cryptid believed to exist in Cambodia. It was believed to have possessed the remarkable capability to breathe underwater through the use of gills set along its muzzle. Eventually, however, the creature was determined to be the Saola, discovered in 1992.
It was notably showcased on the American television show Sightings, alongside the Sabertooth Deer and an incredibly tiny deer species.
Basis: The Saola[]
While the creature was discovered to be in fact real, it did not possess gills of any sort—these gills turned out to be a case of mistaken identity instead. The real species, the Saola, has a large set of maxillary glands or sinuses situated just in front of its eyes. The external portion of the gland forms a rectangular depression along the upper muzzle approximately 9 centimeters in length. Covering this depression is a muscular flap which can be raised to expose the gland. The Vu Quang Ox is native mainly to Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic, though it is not impossible that sightings in northeast Cambodia could have occurred.
Etymology[]
The original source of the biological classification Cetaformia anthalopus (Greek: Κεταφορμιά ανθαλόπος) is unknown. It translates to "antelope-whale."