Mušḫuššu

Mušḫuššu is a draconic creature of Babylonian Mythology.

Myths & Legends
While not being very well-known itself, it gave rise to the Hydra, and consequentially the Hydra Constellation. It was defeated by the prophet Daniel through poisoning in the Biblical Book of Daniel.

Appearance
It has a draconic appearance, with a long neck, a horned head with a crest, and a snakelike tongue. It also has feline forelegs and the hind legs of an eagle.

Origins
It was first discovered on the walls of the Ishtar Gate of Babylon, among other creatures, some mythological and some not.

Archaeologist Robert Koldewey believed that the Mušḫuššu was referring to a real animal, due to its appearance never changing on Babylonian art over the hundreds of years. It has come to a conclusion that the creature most closely resembles the real-life extinct Iguanodon.

Video Games

 * In the games Final Fantasy X (2001), XI (2003) and XIII (2010), the Mušḫuššu is an relatively high-leveled enemy.
 * In the 2005 game Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, the Mušḫuššu is an enemy, a type of Manticore.