Cryptozoology

Cryptozoology is the study of rumored animals that are presumed (at least by the researcher) to exist, but for which conclusive proof does not yet exist, or for animals which are generally considered extinct, but are occasionally reported. Those who study or search for such animals are called cryptozoologists, while the hypothetical creatures involved are referred to by some as "cryptids", a term coined by John Wall in 1983.

Invention of the term (adding the Greek prefix kryptós, or "hidden" to zoology to mean "the study of hidden animals") is often attributed to zoologist Bernard Heuvelmans. However, Heuvelmans attributed coinage of the term to the late Scottish cryptozoologist Ivan T. Sanderson in the 1930's or 1940's in his book In the Wake of the Sea Serpents. Similarly, Heuvelmans' monumental 1955 book, On The Track of Unknown Animals is often seen as the discipline's genesis, even though Heuvelmans traced the scholarly origins of the discipline to Anthonid Cornelis Oudemans and his 1892 study, The Great Sea Serpent.

Heuvelmans argued that cryptozoology should be undertaken with scientific rigor, but also with an open-minded, interdisciplinary approach. Furthermore, according to Heuvelmans, special attention should also be given to folklore regarding creatures. While often layered in unlikely, fantastic elements, folktales may contain grains of truth that could help guide those researching reports of unusual animals.

In recent years, no one has done more to popularize cryptozoology than cryptozoologist Loren Coleman, who is an active spokesperson for the scientific, yet accessible literary and educational value of cryptozoology. His many books, appearances on documentaries, and lectures around the world have widely disseminated information on the study of hidden animals, the cryptids of the world. His books and field guides, including "Cryptozoology A to Z" and "Bigfoot!," are well-known sources of primary information on the field.

Some cryptozoologists align themselves with a more scientifically rigorous field like zoology, while others tend toward an anthropological slant or even a Fortean perspective. The fringes of cryptozoology are often considered pseudoscience by mainstream biologists.

Justifications for cryptozoology

Scientists have demonstrated that some creatures of mythology, legend or local folklore were rooted in real animals or phenomena. Thus, cryptozoologists hold that people should be open to the possibility that many more such animals exist. In the early days of western exploration of the world, many native tales of unknown animals were initially dismissed as mythology or superstition by western scientists, but were later proven to have a real basis in biological fact.

As in other fields, cryptozoologists tend to be responsible for disproving their own objects of study. For example, some cryptozoologists have collected statistical data and studied witness accounts that challenge the validity of many Bigfoot sightings.

In the New York Times, William J. Broad writes, "Monster lovers take heart. Scientists argue that so much of the planet remains unexplored that new surprises are sure to show up; if not legendary beasts like the Loch Ness monster or the dinosaur-like reptile said to inhabit Lake Champlain, then animals that in their own way may be even stranger."[1]

Cryptozoologists point out that natives often know a great deal more about their immediate environment (and the animals that inhabit it) than western investigators, and therefore suggest that, even today, thus far unproven tales and traditions regarding unknown undescribed animals in native folklore should not be summarily dismissed in the same way.

There are several animals cited as examples for continuing cryptozoological efforts:

• The coelacanth, a "living fossil" — a representative of an order of fishes believed to have been extinct for 65 million years — was identified from a specimen found in a fishing net in 1938 off the coast of South Africa. (The coelacanth was well known to Comoros fishermen as the gombessa, but unknown to scientists.)
• Of an even older lineage than the coelacanth are the Graptolites. Living representatives were first found in 1882, although the group had previously been presumed to have been extinct for 300 million years. Cryptozoologists point these out to demonstrate that there are many unexplored regions of the world left, and that remote exotic locations or specialized ecosystems relatively untouched by man may contain unexpected life.
• Similarly cited is the 1976 discovery of the previously unknown megamouth shark, discovered off Oahu, Hawaii, when it became entangled in a ship's anchor. Some have cautioned against applying the "megamouth analogy" too broadly to hypothetical creatures, noting that while "the megamouth does show that the oceans have a lot of secrets left to reveal ... The megamouth is not a useful analogy to support the existence of marine cryptids" in general. [2]
• Also cited is the 2003 discovery of the remains of Homo floresiensis, a descendent of Homo erectus which took the anthropological community completely by surprise. The fact that myths of a strikingly similar creature, called Ebu Gogo by the local people, have persisted until as late as the 19th Century has given the field of study new credibility from the rest of the scientific community.
• Cryptozoological supporters have noted that many unfamiliar animals, when first reported, were considered hoaxes, delusions or misidentifications. The platypus, giant squid (and colossal squid), mountain gorilla, and komodo dragon are a few such creatures. Supporters note that unyielding skepticism may in fact inhibit discovery of unknown animals. Others have suggested a rigid world view disallows many academics from accepting evidence contrary to the prevailing paradigm.

Along similar lines, the emblem of the Society for Cryptozoology is the okapi, a forest-dwelling relative of the giraffe that was unknown to Western scientists prior to 1901.

Georges Cuvier's so-called "Rash Dictum" (a phrase coined by Heuvelmans) is sometimes cited as a reason that researchers should avoid unfounded, "rash" conclusions: In 1821, Cuvier remarked that it was unlikely for any large, unknown animal to be discovered, not because they aren't conspicuous, but because there aren't that many. Many such discoveries have been made since Cuvier's statement (though fewer than 50 in number). It's been argued that the chances of uncovering large, previously unknown vertebrates are very slender when compared to uncovering unknown invertebrates. It is the commitment to spectacular animals (mostly vertebrates) that makes cryptozoology's critics suspicious of sensationalism.

Criticism of cryptozoology

While many cryptozoologists strive for legitimacy and some are respected scientists in other fields, and though discoveries of previously unknown animals are often subject to great attention, cryptozoology per se has never been fully embraced by the scientific community. A cryptozoologist may propose that an interest reports of animals does not entail belief, but a detractor might counter that accepting unsubstantiated sightings is itself a belief.

Many mainstream experts are likely put off by the more sensationalistic fringe elements in cryptozoology, and the occasional overlap with alleged paranormal phenomena. Another reason for the lukewarm reaction from mainstream science may be a lack of specialization. Unlike mainstream animal experts (who typically focus vary narrowly on a specific species for their study), many cryptozoologists study or research a broad range of alleged creatures from many different families.

Most criticism—and sometimes ridicule—from the scientific mainstream is, however, directed at the proponents for the existence of the more "famous" cryptids (like Bigfoot, Yeti or the Loch Ness Monster), whose existence is generally regarded as highly unlikely. Ben S. Roesch calls these alleged creatures "mega-monsters", and furthermore notes that "many lesser known mystery creatures" are alleged to exist as well, and that "some of these have more evidence going for them than the monster super-stars."[3]

The larger cryptids, in fact, would not only have to often evade close contact (accidental or otherwise) with humans to remain undiscovered, they would also have to do so in great numbers. Another oft-cited problem is the fact that such alleged creatures could not survive unless there was a gene pool composed of many—maybe hundreds—of the creatures.

Notable cryptids

(Creatures which are known to have existed and are presumed extinct are in bold.)

Primates and hominids

• Almas
• Biabin-guli
• Bigfoot (also known as Sasquatch)
• Brenin Llwyd
• Bili Ape
• Fear liath
• Gin-Sung
• Hibagon
• Humanzee (debunked by DNA tests)
• Kaptar
• Kikombo
• Loys's Ape
• Mecheny
• Minnesota Iceman
• Mirygdy
• Moehau
• Mono Grande
• Napes (North American Apes)
• Neo-Giant
• Ngolko
• Nguoi Rung
• Old Yellow Top
• Orang Pendek
• Ozark Howler
• Skunk Ape
• Yeren
• Yeti (also known as Abominable Snowman)
• Yowie
• Pierolapithecus catalaunicus

Bipedal monsters

• Ahool
• Canvey Island Monster
• Chupacabra
• Dover Demon
• Behemoth
• Goatman
• Jersey Devil
• Kappa
• Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp
• Loveland Frog
• Mothman
• Orang-Bati
• Owlman
• Pope Lick Monster
• Lizard men
• Wendigo

Carnivorous mammals

• The Beast of Bodmin
• The Beast of Exmoor
• The Beast of Funen
• The Beast of Gévaudan (mysterious "giant wolf" attacks in 18th century France)
• Blue Tiger (see Maltese tiger)
• The Bunyip
• Chupacabra
• Crocotta
• Dobhar-chu
• God Bear or Bergman's Bear
• Japanese Wolf
• Jersey Devil
• Kitsune
• Maltese tiger
• Marozi
• Mngwa
• Mongolian Death Worm
• Nandi Bear
• Onza
• Queensland Tiger
• Shunka Warakin
• Tatzelwurm
• Thylacine or Tasmanian tiger
• Waheela
• Waitoreke
• Veo

Herbivorous mammals

• Megatherium or 'Mapinguari'
• Unicorn or Elasmotherium

Sea and lake monsters

• Altamaha-ha
• Basilosaurus or Zeuglodon (An extinct relative of modern whales, thought by some to still exist, which accounts for some lake monster and sea monster legends.)
• Bessie (Lake Erie)
• Brosno Monster
• Cadborosaurus willsi 'Caddy'
• Champ
• Coelacanth
• Con Rit
• Gambo
• Gigliois Whale
• Inkanyamba
• The Kraken
• Lake Oymyakon Monster
• Lake Van Monster
• Loch Ness Monster
• Manipogo
• Megalodon
• Mermaids
• Morag
• Ogopogo
• Sea monk
• Sea monsters
• Leviathan
• Sea serpent
• Trunko

Reptiles

• Buru
• Cadborosaurus willsi 'Caddy'
• Champ
• Dragon
• Emela-Ntouka
• Giant Anacondas
• Hoop snake
• Ishatar Dragon
• Kasai Rex
• Kingstie
• Kongamato
• Mbielu-Mbielu-Mbielu (Stegosaurus)
• Megalania prisca, the giant Australian monitor lizard
• Mokele mbembe
• Mongolian Deathworm
• Ngoubou (Triceratops)
• Oscar ('Beast of Busco')
• Olitiau
• Ropen
• Sirrush
• Tsuchinoko

Birds

• Devil Bird
• Dodo
• Giant Owls
• Moa
• Thunderbird
• Carolina Parakeet
• Garuda
• Harpagornis
• Ziz

Amphibians

• Trinity Alps Giant Salamander

Others

• Anano
• Ikal
• Mapinguary
• Mermecolion
• Rhinogradentia
• Rod

General terms for cryptids

• UMA (Unidentified Mysterious Animal)

There are also some areas of cryptozoology that deal with "mysterious" animals, though in some cases this could also be considered forteana or parapsychology:

• Beast of Bodmin
• Devil dogs
• Phantom cats
• Phantom kangaroos

Bodies of water in which water monsters are said to live

• Bear Lake (Idaho&Utah/USA)
• Chesapeake Bay (Maryland/USA)
• Faymouth Ency (Cornwall/England)
• Flathead Lake (Montana/USA)
• Kleifarvatn (Iceland)
• Lake Champlain (USA/Canada)
• Lake Erie (USA/Canada)
• Mjøsa (Norway)
• Lagarfljót (Iceland)
• Lake Okanagan (Canada)
• Lake Simcoe (Toronto/Canada)
• Lake Tahoe (USA)
• Lake Thunderbird (Oklahoma)
• Loch Ness (Scotland)
• Loch Morar (Scotland)
• Lough Keane (Ireland)
• Lough Ree (Ireland)
• Lough Muck (Ireland)
• Lake Manitoba (Manitoba/Canada)
• Menbu (China)
• Storsjön (Sweden)
• Tian-Chi (China)
• Seljordsvatnet (Norway)
• Lake Van (Turkey)
• Deep Cove/ Cadboro Bay (British Columbia, Canada)

Lists of cryptids

• Strangeark
• British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club

Other external links

• Cryptozoology.com
• The Cryptozoologist
• Open Directory Project - Cryptozoology directory category
• Cryptozoology links
• The International Society of Cryptozoology
• Enigma Cryptozoo, a website about cryptids
• Pennsylvania Bigfoot Society
• Are Mermaids Real? (Mermaids on the Web)
• Swamp Creature.com -Home Of Your Favorite Cryptids
• The Shadowlands
• Centre for Fortean Zoology
• Cryptozoolgical Realms general info on cryptzoology
• Crytozoology information and links
• Cryptoworld News, Info, Links and Expedition Reports

Sources

• Jerome Clark, ‘’Unexplained! 347 Strange Sightings, Incredible Occurrences, and Puzzling Physical Phenomena’’, Visible Ink Press, 1993.
• Loren Coleman and Jerome Clark, ‘’Cryptozoology A to Z’’, Fireside/Simon and Schuster, 1999.
• Loren Coleman, ‘’Tom Slick: True Life Encounters in Cryptozoology’’, Linden Press, 2002
• Bernard Heuvelmans, ‘’On The Track Of Unknown Animals’’, Hill and Wang, 1958
• Bernard Heuvelmans, ‘’In the Wake of the Sea-Serpents’’, Hill and Wang, 1968

See also

• Cryptids
• Index of fictional species
• Legendary creature
• List of legendary creatures
• List of notable cryptozoologists
• Important publications in cryptozoology
• Monster
• Cryptic (zoology) - animals that are difficult to observe due to their behaviour or camouflage
• Pseudoscience and protoscience - due to some fields of study in cryptozoology

Related studies:

• Cryptotaxonomy
• Paleocryptoanthropology
• Xenobiology