List of cryptids

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Cryptids are animals that cryptozoologists believe may exist somewhere in the wild, but whose present existence is disputed or unsubstantiated by science. Cryptozoology is a pseudoscience, which primarily looks at anecdotal stories, and other claims rejected by the scientific community. While biologists regularly identify new species following established scientific methodology, cryptozoologists focus on entities mentioned in the folklore record and rumor. Entities that may be considered cryptids by cryptozoologists include Bigfoot, Yeti, the chupacabra, the Jersey Devil, the Loch Ness Monster, and the Mokele-mbembe.

Contents

Scholars have noted that the cryptozoology subculture rejected mainstream approaches from an early date, and that adherents often express hostility to mainstream science. Scholars have studied cryptozoologists and their influence (including the pseudoscience's association with Young Earth creationism), [1] [2] noted parallels in cryptozoology and other pseudosciences such as ghost hunting and ufology, and highlighted uncritical media propagation of cryptozoologist claims.

List

Aquatic or semi-aquatic

NameOther NamesDescriptionPurported LocationDepiction
Cadborosaurus [3] CaddySea animalPacific Coast of North America Cadborosaurus October 1937.jpg
Champ [4] ChampyLake monster Lake Champlain, North America Artistic representation of Sandra Mansi's 1977 photograph of "Champ" lake monster.jpg
Cryptid Whales [5] [6] Giglioli's Whale, Rhinoceros dolphin, High-finned sperm whale, Alula whale, Unidentified beaked whalesSea animalPacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean Amphiptera pacifica.jpg
Dobhar-chú [7] Water Hound, King OtterExtra-large otter-like carnivorous aquatic mammalIreland Dobhar-chu encounter.jpg
Gloucester sea serpent [8] Large serpentGloucester, Cape Ann
Iemisch [9] Iemisch ListaiMix of a jaguar and otter Patagonia
Igopogo [ citation needed ]Kempenfelt KellyLake monster Lake Simcoe, Ontario (Canada)
Isshii [ citation needed ] Issie Lake monsterJapan
Labynkyr Devil [10] [11] [12] Labynkyrsky Chert[ citation needed ]Lake monster Oymyakonsky Ulus, Sakha Republic, Russia
Loch Ness Monster [13] NessieLake monster Loch Ness, Scotland Lochneska poboba museumofnessie (cropped).jpg
Loveland Frog [14] Loveland frogman, Loveland lizardHumanoid frog Loveland, Ohio Loveland frog.png
Lusca [15] Giant Octopus[ citation needed ] Blue holes in the Bahamas
Mamlambo [ citation needed ]Lake monster South Africa
Manipogo [ citation needed ]WinnipogoLake monster Lake Manitoba, Canada
Megalodon [15] Otodus megalodonGiant SharkOceans
Mokele-mbembe [16] Dinosaur (lake, river and/or swamp monster) Republic of the Congo Mokele-mbembe ill artlibre jnl.png
Ogopogo [4] N'ha•a•itk, NaitakaLake monster Lake Okanagan, Canada OgoPogo crop.jpg
Sea serpents [17] Sea animals, dinosaursAll bodies of water Soe Orm 1555.jpg
Selma [ citation needed ]SeljordsormenLake monsterLake Seljord, Telemark, Norway
Seljord komm.svg
Steller's sea ape [18] Sea animalPacific Ocean
Animal drawings collected by Felix Platter, p1 - (31).jpg

Terrestrial

NameOther namesDescriptionPurported locationDepiction
British big cats [19] Alien big cats (ABCs), phantom cats, mystery cats, English lions,
Beast of Bodmin, Beast of Exmoor 		Carnivorous mammalGreat Britain Felicity Inverness Museum.JPG
Bukit Timah Monkey Man [20] BTM, BTMMForest-dwelling hominid or other primate Singapore
Capelobo [21] Humanoid anteater monster Brazil Capelobo illustration.png
Chupacabra [22] Chupacabras (Spanish for goat-sucker) Puerto Rico (originally),
South and Central America,
Southern North America		 Chupacabra (artist's rendition).jpg
Dover Demon [23] Dover, Massachusetts Dover Demon.png
Eastern Cougar [24] Eastern United States EasternCougar.jpg
Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp [25] Lizard Man of Lee County Bipedal South Carolina, United States
Malagasy hippo [26] Malagasy pygmy hippopotamus, Madagascan pygmy hippopotamus, kilopilopitsofy, tsy-aomby-aomby, omby-rano, laloumena, mangarsahocHippoMadagascar Hippo1 final.jpg
Mapinguari [27] MapinguaryGiant Ground Sloth or primateAmazons Megatherium americanum by sphenaphinae.png
Michigan Dogman [28] Humanoid dog Wexford County, Michigan
Minhocão [ citation needed ]Big Earthworm Caecilian South America
Moa [29] Flightless birdNew Zealand Giant Haasts eagle attacking New Zealand moa.jpg
Mongolian death worm [30] Allghoi (or orghoi) khorkhoi Worm-like animal Gobi Desert (Asia) Allghoikhorkhoi.jpg
Nandi bear [31] Chemosit, Kerit, Koddoelo, Ngoelo, Ngoloko, DubaLarge carnivoreEastern Africa Nandi bear 1961 (cropped).png
Queensland Tiger [32] YarriLarge feline Queensland
Thylacine [33] [34] Tasmanian Tiger, Tasmanian WolfMarsupialAustralia, New Guinea Thylacinus.jpg
Zanzibar leopard [35] Large felineZanzibar Panthera pardus adersi.jpg

Hominid

NameOther namesDescriptionPurported locationDepiction
Almas [4] Abnauayu, almasty, albasty, bekk-bok,
biabin-guli, golub-yavan, gul-biavan, auli-avan,
kaptar, kra-dhun, ksy-giik, ksy-gyik, ochokochi,
mirygdy, mulen, voita, wind-man, Zana		Non-human ape or hominid Asia/Caucasus
Amomongo [36] Orang Mawas, Impakta Ape or hominid Negros Occidental, Philippines
Barmanou [ citation needed ]Barmanu, Big Hairy One Ape or hominid Middle East/Asia
Bigfoot [37] SasquatchLarge and hairy ape-like creatureUnited States and Canada Pie Grande.jpg
Chuchunya [38] Large hominid Russia
Fouke Monster [39] Jonesville Monster, Southern Sasquatch, Boggy Creek Monster Hominid or other primate Arkansas, United States
Honey Island Swamp monster [40] Letiche, Tainted Keitre Hominid or other primate Louisiana, United States
Orang Pendek Small hominidSumatra
Nittaewo [41] NittevoSmall hominidsSri Lanka
Skunk ape [42] Stink Ape, Myakka Ape, Myakka Skunk Ape Primate Florida, United States
Yeren [43] [42] Yiren, Yeh Ren, Chinese Wildman Primate (possible hominin)China
Yeti [44] Abominable SnowmanLarge and hairy human-like entity, various other descriptions Himalayas (Asia) B5bugerbear.jpg
Yowie [41] Large and hairy human-like entity, various other descriptionsAustralia Yowie-statue-Kilcoy-Queensland.JPG

Flying

NameOther namesDescriptionPurported locationDepiction
Jersey Devil [13] Leeds Devil Winged bipedal horse United States, mainly the South Jersey Pine Barrens, as well as other parts of New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania Jersey Devil Philadelphia Post 1909.jpg
Mothman [45] Winged Man, Bird Man, UFO-Bird, Mason Bird MonsterWinged bipedal Mason County, West Virginia, United States Mothman Artist's Impression.png
Rod [46] Skyfish, Air Rod, Solar EntitySmall flying stick-like creaturesWorldwide Moths attracted by floodlight.jpg
Ropen [47] Large bat-like creature or pterosaur New Guinea
Thunderbird [48] [49] Giant birdNorth America Vintage Thunderbird latch hooked rug.jpg

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cryptozoology</span> Pseudoscience that studies disputed or unsubstantiated creatures

Cryptozoology is a pseudoscience and subculture that searches for and studies unknown, legendary, or extinct animals whose present existence is disputed or unsubstantiated, particularly those popular in folklore, such as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, Yeti, the chupacabra, the Jersey Devil, or the Mokele-mbembe. Cryptozoologists refer to these entities as cryptids, a term coined by the subculture. Because it does not follow the scientific method, cryptozoology is considered a pseudoscience by mainstream science: it is neither a branch of zoology nor of folklore studies. It was originally founded in the 1950s by zoologists Bernard Heuvelmans and Ivan T. Sanderson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loch Ness Monster</span> Alleged creature in Scotland

The Loch Ness Monster, affectionately known as Nessie, is a mythical creature in Scottish folklore that is said to inhabit Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. It is often described as large, long-necked, and with one or more humps protruding from the water. Popular interest and belief in the creature has varied since it was brought to worldwide attention in 1933. Evidence of its existence is anecdotal with a number of disputed photographs and sonar readings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mokele-mbembe</span> Water-dwelling entity that supposedly lives in the Congo River Basin

In several Bantu mythologies, mokele-mbembe is a mythical water-dwelling entity that is believed to exist in the Congo River Basin. Variously described as a living creature or a spirit, mokele-mbembe's descriptions vary widely based on conflicting purported eyewitness reports, but it is often described as a large quadrupedal herbivore with smooth skin, a long neck, and a single tooth or horn, much like the extinct species sauropods.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scientific skepticism</span> Questioning of claims lacking empirical evidence

Scientific skepticism or rational skepticism, sometimes referred to as skeptical inquiry, is a position in which one questions the veracity of claims lacking empirical evidence. In practice, the term most commonly refers to the examination of claims and theories that appear to be beyond mainstream science, rather than the routine discussions and challenges among scientists. Scientific skepticism differs from philosophical skepticism, which questions humans' ability to claim any knowledge about the nature of the world and how they perceive it, and the similar but distinct methodological skepticism, which is a systematic process of being skeptical about the truth of one's beliefs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mongolian death worm</span> Creature alleged to exist in the Gobi Desert

The Mongolian death worm is a creature alleged to exist in the Gobi Desert. Investigations into the legendary creature have been pursued by amateur cryptozoologists and credited academics alike, but there has been little evidence found to support its existence. It can be considered a Cryptid or a mythological animal.

Karl Shuker is a British zoologist, cryptozoologist and author. He lives in the Midlands, England, where he works as a zoological consultant and writer. A columnist in Fortean Times and contributor to various magazines, Shuker is also the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cryptozoology, which began in November 2012.

The Skeptics Society is a nonprofit, member-supported organization devoted to promoting scientific skepticism and resisting the spread of pseudoscience, superstition, and irrational beliefs. The Skeptics Society was co-founded by Michael Shermer and Pat Linse as a Los Angeles-area skeptical group to replace the defunct Southern California Skeptics. After the success of its Skeptic magazine, introduced in early 1992, it became a national and then international organization. Their stated mission "is the investigation of science and pseudoscience controversies, and the promotion of critical thinking."

<i>Skeptic</i> (American magazine) American science education magazine

Skeptic, colloquially known as Skeptic magazine, is a quarterly science education and science advocacy magazine published internationally by The Skeptics Society, a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting scientific skepticism and resisting the spread of pseudoscience, superstition, and irrational beliefs. First published in 1992, the magazine had a circulation of over 40,000 subscribers in 2000.

Loren Coleman is an American cryptozoologist who has written over 40 books on a number of topics, including the pseudoscience and subculture of cryptozoology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jon-Erik Beckjord</span> American paranormal investigator (1939–2008)

Jon-Erik Beckjord was an American paranormal investigator, photographer, and cryptozoologist interested in UFOs, crop circles, the Loch Ness Monster, and Bigfoot. Throughout his life, he owned three separate, small-scale museums that featured displays, mostly photographs, of alleged UFO, Nessie, and Bigfoot sightings. He made guest appearances on national radio and television shows, but was criticized by skeptics and fellow cryptozoologists alike for not providing substantive evidence to back up his claims of the existence of paranormal beings.

Raymond L. Wallace was an American amateur Bigfoot hoaxer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roy Mackal</span> American biologist (1925–2013)

Roy P. Mackal was a University of Chicago biologist best known to the general public for his interest in cryptozoology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Freeman (cryptozoologist)</span> English cryptozoologist and author

Richard Freeman is a cryptozoologist, author, zoological journalist, and WebTV Presenter. He is also the zoological director of the Centre for Fortean Zoology (CFZ), and co-edits both the journal, Animals & Men and several editions of the annual CFZ Yearbook. Freeman has written, co-written, or edited a number of books, and has contributed widely to both Fortean and zoological magazines, as well as other newspapers and periodicals, including Fortean Times and Paranormal Magazine.

<i>MonsterQuest</i> American TV series or program

MonsterQuest is an American television series that originally aired from October 31, 2007 to March 24, 2010 on the History channel. Produced by Whitewolf Entertainment, the program deals with the search for various monsters of interest to the cryptozoology subculture and paranormal entities reportedly witnessed around the world. A spin-off show, MysteryQuest, which focuses on unsolved mysteries, premiered on September 16, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boris Porshnev</span> Soviet historian (1905–1972)

Boris Fyodorovich Porshnev was a Soviet historian known for his works on popular revolts in Ancien Régime France and a doctor of social sciences working on psychology, prehistory, and neurolinguistics as relating to the origins of man.

<i>MonsterTalk</i> Skeptical podcast

MonsterTalk is an audio podcast originally presented by the Skeptics Society's Skeptic magazine but broke ties in 2019. Since 2019 it has been an independent podcast under the "Monster House, LLC" banner. The show critically examines the science behind cryptozoological creatures, such as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and werewolves. It is hosted by Blake Smith and Karen Stollznow, and produced by Blake Smith. In 2012, MonsterTalk was awarded the Parsec Award for the "Best Fact Behind the Fiction Podcast".

Ken Gerhard is an American cryptozoologist and author often featured on various television programs. His works include "The Essential Guide to Bigfoot," "A Menagerie of Mysterious Beasts," "Big Bird: Modern Sightings of Flying Monsters" and "Encounters with Flying Humanoids: Mothman, Manbirds, Gargoyles and Other Winged Beasts." He is also the co-author of "Monsters of Texas".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donald Prothero</span> American paleontologist, geologist, and author (born 1954)

Donald Ross Prothero is an American geologist, paleontologist, and author who specializes in mammalian paleontology and magnetostratigraphy, a technique to date rock layers of the Cenozoic era and its use to date the climate changes which occurred 30–40 million years ago. He is the author or editor of more than 30 books and over 300 scientific papers, including at least 5 geology textbooks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cryptid town</span> Town identified with a local cryptid

A cryptid town is a colloquial term given to a town which has a close cultural identity with a local cryptid, often with the goal of encouraging cryptid-related tourism. Cryptid towns may have festivals, museums, statues and research organisations dedicated to a given cryptid. Areas called cryptid towns tend to be rural and remote, which correlates with the types of areas cryptids are said to often originate from, which in turn can make them appear economically deprived and reliant on the economy of cryptid tourism. Some places may not necessarily be best known for their folklore or rely on it for tourism, but do still feature it prominently in events and local culture.

References

  1. ↑ Hill, Sharon A. (2017). Scientifical Americans: The Culture of Amateur Paranormal Researchers. McFarland. p. 66. ISBN   9781476630823.
  2. ↑ Card, Jeb J. (2016). "Steampunk Inquiry: A Comparative Vivisection of Discovery Pseudoscience". In Card, Jeb J.; Anderson, David S. (eds.). Lost City, Found Pyramid: Understanding Alternative Archaeologies and Pseudoscientific Practices. University of Alabama Press. p. 32. ISBN   9780817319113. Creationists have embraced cryptozoology and some cryptozoological expeditions are funded by and conducted by creationists hoping to disprove evolution.
  3. ↑ Loxton & Prothero 2013, pp. 261–295.
  4. 1 2 3 Shermer, Michael; Linse, Pat (November 2002). The Skeptic Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience. Vol. 1. ABC-CLIO. p. 72. ISBN   9781576076538.
  5. ↑ Mörzer Bruyns, W. F. J. (1971). Field guide of whales and dolphins. Rivonverhandeling. Tor. pp. 124–125. ISBN   978-90-70055-09-7
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  7. ↑ "Ireland's hound of deep - Dobhar Chu". Irish Central News . Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  8. ↑ Nicaise, Alexander (5 September 2019). "Gloucester Sea-Serpent Mystery: Solved after Two Centuries | Skeptical Inquirer" . Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  9. ↑ Gilmore, David D. (2003). Monsters : evil beings, mythical beasts, and all manner of imaginary terrors. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN   978-0-8122-0322-6. OCLC   802059457.
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  13. 1 2 Velasquez, S.J. (31 October 2015). "The monster you should never find". BBC Online . British Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 11 August 2018.
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  32. ↑ Smith, Malcolm (1996). Bunyips & bigfoots : in search of Australia's mystery animals. Alexandria, NSW: Millennium Books. ISBN   1-86429-081-1. OCLC   36719441.
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  34. ↑ "Cryptids and credulity: The Zanzibar leopard and other imaginary beings", Anthropology and Cryptozoology, New York, NY : Routledge, 2017. | Series: Multispecies: Routledge, pp. 70–106, 3 November 2016, doi:10.4324/9781315567297-11, ISBN   9781315567297 , retrieved 9 September 2023{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
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  41. 1 2 Lack, Caleb W.; Rousseau, Jacques (8 March 2016). Critical Thinking, Science, and Pseudoscience: Why We Can't Trust Our Brains. Springer Publishing Company. p. 154. ISBN   978-0-8261-9426-8.
  42. 1 2 Lack, Caleb W.; Rousseau, Jacques (8 March 2016). Critical Thinking, Science, and Pseudoscience: Why We Can't Trust Our Brains. Springer Publishing Company. p. 170. ISBN   978-0-8261-9426-8.
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Bibliography

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