Significance of the Bijuu?

[Deviation]

Has anyone ever wondered why the tailed beasts are what they are? Is it related to japanese folklore/mythology?

1. Racoon
2. Cat
3. Turtle
4. Monkey/Gorilla?
5. Dolphin-Horse
6. Slug
7. Beetle
8. Ox-Octopus
9. Fox

What is the significance in their form and why their specific order?

 

[Yanks]

Shukaku, Matatabi, Gyūki, and Kurama are the only tailed beasts to be based on popular animal yōkai (such as tanuki, nekomata, ushi-oni, and kitsune respectively) from Japanese myth, while the others are original creations by Masashi Kishimoto, mixing together various elements from certain species of animals.

....................

 

[AndreJNZ]

There we go....