Could the creatures in Game of Thrones really exist?
Undoubtedly one of the coolest parts of the fantasy elements in Game of Thrones are the fantastical creatures that inhabit the world. Dragons, direwolves, krakens, and even the White Walkers all spark the imaginations of readers and viewers alike. But could these creatures actually exist? Have possible versions of them actually existed?
These are the questions Gizmodo asked a variety of biology experts in this great article, which explores specific sets of details to determine whether Westeros’ finest exotic creatures could actually exist in the real world. For instance, can dragons as big as Dany’s really fly? (Short answer: yes, but the tails are a bit of a problem.) What about the manticores, whose venom is responsible for poisoning The Mountain in his infamous duel with Oberyn Martell?
While most of the creatures from the series seem to have some real-life basis (the kraken myths originated from giant squid sightings, for example), the article comes down on the White Walkers as pure fantasy. In short: “biochemistry as we know it doesn’t work when you’re frozen.” On the plus side, that means our winters are more survivable than the ones in Westeros.
You can read more about the science behind your favorite Thrones creatures at Gizmodo.
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