World Cup 2014: Animal "Oracles" From Around The World Predict Match Outcomes

RTR3TKQU — The armadillo called Norman, Germany's World Cup oracle, approaches the soccer ball representing Germany as he makes his prediction for the team's opening World Cup match against Portugal on June 16, at the zoo in the western city of Muenster June 13, 2014. REUTERS/Ina Fassbender

Paul the Octopus, Germany's tried and true soccer "oracle" was a huge hit at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but sadly he passed away in 2010.

As much as Paul is missed, there isn't a shortage of animal oracles for this year's World Cup. Brazil's official oracle is a loggerhead turtle named Cabecao, or Big Head. He correctly predicted his home country would win over Croatia in the World Cup opener.

BBC News - Can Brazil's World Cup turtle oracle match Paul the Octopus? http://t.co/WAqQfqZduv pic.twitter.com/qWC0GFrnxT
— leo (@lion_tortoise) June 12, 2014

Brazil also sought the help of a capybara, but it doesn't seem to excited about the fate of the World Cup resting on its shoulders.

Capivara Paul acerta o placar do jogo de Brasil x Croácia em Curitiba. http://t.co/CZwYwVE1SU pic.twitter.com/UIPySo7uRP
— Jornal O Globo (@JornalOGlobo) June 13, 2014

Paul's passing didn't push Germany out of the oracle game though. Not to be outdone, the Germans have employed an elephant, armadillo, African clawed frogs and flies to predict the outcome of the World Cup.

in addition to the @PavelTomancak flies, @SimoneReber has a xenopus oracle. pic.twitter.com/FjxGBMjmUw
— MPI-CBG Dresden (@mpicbg) June 13, 2014

Behold the amazing Tomancak lab fly #worldcup oracle arena. Image processing powered by Fiji @mpicbg pic.twitter.com/6UFZ0ocBWU
— Pavel Tomancak (@PavelTomancak) June 13, 2014

Will any oracle ever match up to Paul's nearly 80 percent success rate? Maybe, but no other oracle has a song dedicated to them (yet).

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