Cryptids are animals or other beings whose present existence is disputed or unsubstantiated by science. Cryptozoology, the study of cryptids, is a pseudoscience claiming that such beings may exist somewhere in the wild; it has been widely critiqued by scientists.Mullis (2021: 185): "Eschewing the rigors of science, cryptozoologists publish for a popular audience rather than for experts resulting in the practice itself frequently being derided as a pseudoscience."Loxton & Prothero (2013: 332): "Whatever the romantic appeal of monster mysteries, cryptozoology as it exists today is unquestionably a pseudoscience." Loxton & Prothero (2013: 320): "Cryptozoology has a reputation of being part of a general pseudoscientific fringe—just one more facet of paranormal belief." (Both quotes from Donald Prothero)Church (2009: 251–252): "Cryptozoology has acquired a bad reputation as a pseudoscience [...] Until detailed, methodical research becomes standard practice among cryptozoologists, the field will remain disrespected by more traditional biologists and zoologists."Roesch & Moore (2002: 71–78): "Pointing to this rampant speculation and ignorance of established scientific theories in cryptozoology, as well as the field's poor record of success and its reliance on unsystematic, anecdotal evidence, many scientists and skeptics classify cryptozoology as a pseudoscience." The subculture is regularly criticized for reliance on anecdotal information and because in the course of investigating animals that most scientists believe are unlikely to have existed, cryptozoologists do not follow the scientific method. Many scientists have criticized the plausibility of cryptids due to lack of physical evidence,Simpson, George Gaylord (1984). "Mammals and Cryptozoology". Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. Vol. 128, No. 1 (Mar. 30, 1984), pp. 1–19. American Philosophical Society. likely misidentifications and misinterpretation of stories from folklore.Loxton & Prothero (2013: 31-32) While biologists regularly identify new species following established scientific methodology, cryptozoologists focus on entities mentioned in the folklore record and rumor.
List Aquatic or semi-aquatic
Name Other names Description Purported location DepictionHairy eelGiant eelPamital ravine, Canary IslandsBeast of BuscoOscarGiant snapping turtleChurubusco, Indiana, United StatesBunyipBunyip. (2018). Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, 1;Amphibious creature, described originally in Aboriginal Australian legends as a cross between a large Ratite bird and an alligator.AustraliaCaddySea animalPacific Coast of North AmericaChampChampyLake monsterLake Champlain, North AmericaCryptid whalesMörzer Bruyns, W. F. J. (1971). Field guide of whales and dolphins. Rivonverhandeling. Tor. pp. 124–125. Giglioli's whale, Rhinoceros dolphin, High-finned sperm whale, Alula whale, Unidentified beaked whalesSea animalPacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian OceanDobhar-chúWater Hound, King OtterExtra-large otter-like carnivorous aquatic mammalIrelandGloucester sea serpentLarge serpentGloucester, Massachusetts (Cape Ann), United StatesGround SharkMan-eating shark that lacks a prominent dorsal fin and lies in wait for its prey on the seafloorTimor SeaIemischIemisch ListaiMix of a jaguar and otterPatagonian region of ArgentinaIgopogoKempenfelt KellyLake monsterLake Simcoe, Ontario, CanadaLabynkyr DevilLabynkyrsky ChertLake monsterOymyakonsky Ulus, Sakha Republic, RussiaLoch Ness MonsterNessieLake monsterLoch Ness, ScotlandLoveland FrogLoveland frogman, Loveland lizardHumanoid frogLoveland, Ohio, United StatesManipogoLake monsterLake Manitoba, Manitoba, CanadaMbielu-mbielu-mbieluStegosaurid dinosaur (lake, river and/or swamp monster)Democratic Republic of the CongoMegalodon (surviving populations)Otodus megalodonGiant prehistoric sharkOceansMermaidSirenTop half human female and bottom half fishOceans, various bodies of waterMokele-mbembeDinosaur (lake, river and/or swamp monster)Democratic Republic of the CongoMontauk MonsterSmall bald beaked mammal Montauk, New York, United StatesMorgawrSea serpentFalmouth Bay, Cornwall, United KingdomOgopogoN'ha•a•itk, NaitakaLake monsterOkanagan Lake, British Columbia, CanadaSea serpentsSea animals, dinosaursAll bodies of waterSelmaSeljords-ormen, Sjøormen av SeljordsvatnetLake monsterLake Seljord, Telemark, NorwaySteller's sea apeSimia marinaSea animalNorthern Pacific OceanStorsjö monsterLake monsterLake Storsjön, Jämtland, Sweden
Terrestrial Name Other names Description Purported location DepictionBritish big catsAlien big cats, phantom cats,Beast of Bodmin, Beast of ExmoorNon-native, wild big catsGreat BritainChupacabraChupacabras (Spanish for goat-sucker)Highly variable – typically falling into two categories: 1) bipedal humanoid with spiked spines (original description); 2) a quadrupedal canidPuerto Rico (originally),South and Central America,Southern North America Dover DemonApproximately four-foot tall humanoid creature with glowing eyesDover, Massachusetts, United StatesFresno nightcrawlerResembling a pair of white trousers, this creature reportedly has long, white legs immediately topped by a rounded head.Fresno, California, United StatesGrafton monsterA tall, pale headless figure who produces strange whistling noises.Grafton, West VirginiaGoatmanPope Lick Monster; Lake Worth monsterHumanoid creature with the torso and head of a man (with horns sprouting from the head) and the legs of a goatPrince George's County, Maryland; Louisville, Kentucky; Lake Worth, TexasKatanga SnakeGreenish-Brown 50-foot long snake with a horse-like head Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of the CongoLizard Man of Scape Ore SwampLizard Man of Lee CountyBipedal, humanoid reptilian creatureLee County, South Carolina, United StatesMichigan DogmanHumanoid dogWexford County, Michigan, United StatesMoa (surviving original populations)Dinornis robustus (South Island giant moa), Dinornis novaezelandiae (North Island giant moa), Anomalopteryx didiformis (Bush moa, little bush moa, or lesser moa)Medium to large flightless birdsNew ZealandMongolian death wormAllghoi khorkhoiWorm-like animalGobi Desert (Asia)Nandi bearChemosit, Kerit, Koddoelo, Ngoelo, DubaLarge, powerfully built carnivore Eastern AfricaPhantom kangarooKangaroos which appear outside of their normal range of Australia and New Guinea. Chicago, Illinois Japan United Kingdom SwedenQueensland TigerYarriLarge felineQueensland, AustraliaThylacine (surviving original populations)Nickell, J., & RANDI, J. (2004). Cryptids “Down Under.” In The Mystery Chronicles: More Real-Life X-Files (pp. 289–295). University Press of Kentucky. http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt2tv62q.39Tasmanian tiger, Tasmanian wolf, Thylacinus cynocephalusCarnivorous marsupialAustralia, Papua New Guinea
Hominid
Name Other names Description Purported location DepictionAlmasAbnauayu, 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, ZanaNon-human ape or hominidAsia/CaucasusAmomongoApe or hominidNegros Occidental, PhilippinesBigfootSasquatchLarge and hairy ape-like creatureUnited States and CanadaBukit Timah Monkey ManBTM, BTMMForest-dwelling hominid or other primateSingaporeChatawa Monster Large ape-like creaturePike County, Mississippi, United StatesChuchunyaLarge hominidRussiaEbu gogoHuman-like creatures; some cryptozoologists have claimed the stories arise from contact with surviving populations of Homo floresiensis ("Flores Man" or "Hobbit")Flores Island, IndonesiaFouke MonsterBoggy Creek MonsterHominid or other primateArkansas, United StatesHoney Island Swamp monsterHominid or other primateLouisiana, United StatesMapinguariMapinguaryMan-eating hominid with a mouth on its abdomen; sometimes thought to be a ground slothBrazilMogollon MonsterArizona BigfootLarge hominidArizonaNittaewoNittevoSmall hominidSri LankaOrang PendekSmall hominidSumatra, IndonesiaSkunk apeStink Ape, ShaawanokiPrimateFlorida, United States YerenYiren, Yeh Ren, Chinese WildmanPrimate (possible hominin)ChinaYetiAbominable SnowmanLarge and hairy human-like entity, various other descriptionsHimalayas (Asia)YowieLarge and hairy human-like entity, various other descriptionsAustralia
Flying Name Other names DescriptionPurported location DepictionFlatwoods monsterBraxton County Monster, Phantom of Flatwoods, Flatwoods Green MonsterA floating creature with a head that looks like a spadeFlatwoods, West VirginiaJersey DevilLeeds DevilWinged, bipedal horseUnited States, mainly the South Jersey Pine Barrens, as well as other parts of New Jersey and southeastern PennsylvaniaKongamatoLiving species of pterosaurMwinilunga, Zambia; Angola; The Democratic Republic of the CongoMothmanWinged bipedalMason County, West Virginia, United States
See also Animalia Paradoxa Apeman De-extinction Fearsome critters Legendary creature List of cryptozoologists Lists of legendary creatures List of megafauna discovered in modern times List of urban legends Rare species
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