| Gilled Antelope | |
|---|---|
 A photograph | |
| Background | |
| Type | Cryptid |
| Continent | Asia |
| Country | Cambodia |
| One-Time? | No |
| Theories | · Cryptid · Saola |
The Gilled Antelope (Cetaformia anthalopus), also known as the Gilled Deer, 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.
Appearance[]
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 Saloa, 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.
Possible Explanations[]
There are several explanations as to what the creature could be. Theories include:
- The Saloa (confirmed)
Trivia[]
- The original source of the biological classification Cetaformia anthalopus is unknown, but translates to "antelope whale-form."
- In 1992. The Saola does not possess gills; instead, it has large maxillary glands or sinuses situated just in front of its eyes. These glands create a rectangular depression on the upper muzzle, approximately 9 centimeters long, covered by a muscular flap that can be raised to expose the gland.
- Gilled Antelope likely stemmed from these unique features of the Saola, leading observers to mistakenly interpret them as gills. The Saola is primarily native to regions in Vietnam and Laos, although there have been occasional reports of sightings in northeast Cambodia.
Gallery[]
Photo Gallery[]
