Halloween and horror movies are filled with creatures designed to strike fear in the hearts of viewers—from those that drink blood in the night to insects that grow too large and develop a taste for human flesh and aliens that cross the universe intent on the destruction of humanity. But is there any truth behind any of these fantastical creatures? Turns out, the answer is yes, though the real deal is much more nuanced—and much more intriguing—than their Hollywood doppelgangers.
Read about vampire bats, the only blood-drinking mammal on the planet.
Learn more about real-life insects that could feature in your nightmares.
Spiders—terrifying or good for pets?
Alien life: Is it out there? Do we know what it looks like? Not really, but it’s fun to think about.