Feejee Mermaid on Display in Colorado: A Curious Hoax No Longer Seen as a 'Missing Link'

A Feejee Mermaid is now on display in Colorado, offering visitors a glimpse into a famous 19th-century hoax. The artifact, part of a long tradition of mermaid folklore from ancient Babylonian Oannes to Greek sirens and Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, was once presented as a genuine creature—possibly even a 'missing link' between humans and fish. Today, it is recognized as a fabricated curiosity, typically made from the torso of a monkey attached to the tail of a fish. The Colorado exhibition invites the public to explore how such hoaxes captured the imagination and reflected the era's fascination with natural history and the unknown. It serves as a reminder of how easily misinformation can spread and how our understanding evolves over time. The display not only entertains but also educates about the intersection of myth, science, and showmanship.