Illustration of a whale.

And while it may seem commonplace, this kind of knowledge has only been around for a few decades.

But centuries ago, artists and scientists didn’t have it that easy.

Medieval illustration of a whale

Illustration of a whale. 13th century. (Photo: British Library viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)

This forced them to do their best with the material they could find.

However, the depictions get wilder the rarer the animal was at the time.

Take a look at some of the most interestingnot to mention hilariousmedieval animal illustrations.

Medieval illustration of a red leopard

Illustration of a leopard. 12th century. (Photo: University of Aberdeen viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Can you guess immediately what animal they represent?

The resulting animal illustrations are hillarious.

For example, this is a leopard:

Illustration of a leopard.

Medieval illustration of an oyster by Jacob van Maerlant

Illustration of an oyster C. 1340-1350. (Photo: Jacob van Maerlant viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Illustration of an oyster C. 1340-1350.

Two illustrations featuring elephants.

(Photo: British Library viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Illustration of an elephant.

Two medieval animal illustrations of elephants; detail of a miniature from the Rochester Bestiary, BL Royal 12 F xiii, f. 11v. Held and digitised by the British Library

Two illustrations featuring elephants. 13th century. (Photo: British Library viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)

(This is a rhino)

Illustration of a rhino.

Illustration of a crocodile Late 1200s.

Three illustrations featuring lions.

Medieval animal illustration

Illustration of an elephant. 13th century. (Photo: Trinity College Library, University of Cambridge viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)

The one on the left?

Illustration featuring a tiger and a horse.

(Photo: University of Aberdeen viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)

This is also a crocodile.

Medieval illustration of an elephant

Illustration of an elephant. C. 1340-1350.(Photo: Koninklijke Bibliotheek viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Illustration of a crocodile.

Illustration of an owl being mobbed by other birds.

Illustration of a beaver with a fish tail.

Medieval animal illustration of a rhino by by Caspar Schmalkalden

Illustration of a rhino. (Photo: Caspar Schmalkalden viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)

C. 1480 (Photo: Unknown author viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)

This is a snail.

Illustration of a snail.

(Photo: Jacob van Maerlant viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Any guesses?

Medieval Illustration of a crocodile; detail of a miniature from the Rochester Bestiary

Illustration of a crocodile Late 1200s. (Photo: British Library viaWikimedia Commons,Public domain)

This is a hippo.

Illustration of a hippo.

Medieval animal illustration

Three illustrations featuring lions. Early 13th century. (Photo: Unknown author viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Medieval animal illustration including a horse

Illustration featuring a tiger and a horse. 12th century. (Photo: University of Aberdeen viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Medieval animal illustration

Illustration of a crocodile. C. 1250-1260 (Photo: Unknown author viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Medieval illustration of an owl with a human-looking face

Illustration of an owl being mobbed by other birds. C. 1230-1240 (Photo: British Library viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Medieval animal illustration

Illustration of a beaver with a fish tail. C. 1480 (Photo: Unknown author viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Medieval animal illustration a snail

Illustration of a snail. C. 1340-1350. (Photo: Jacob van Maerlant viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Medieval depiction of a hippopotamus

Illustration of a hippo. C. 1340-1350. (Photo: Jacob van Maerlant viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)