Even though Scotland voted last week to remain a part of the United Kingdom and not become an independent country, one symbol of Scottish pride holds strong: the national animal, the unicorn.

While selecting a mythical animal as your patriotic mascot may seem odd, the choice has historic context. The unicorn has been used in Scottish heraldic symbols since the 12th century, and it was combined with the English lion on the royal coat of arms when the two kingdoms merged. According to the CIA World Factbook, there are no strict rules for choosing a national animal—it can be any creature “that over time has come to be closely identified with a country or entity”. Not all nations have official animals, and some have multiple options, including a few countries that have mythical beasts in addition to real ones.

That got us wondering: What other unusual animals are dutifully representing countries around the world? Here are a few favorites: