Examining Cryptozoology

Cryptozoology, of course, is the “study of hidden animals.” While there will always be species living in the remotest parts of the world that are never seen by human eyes, there are still random sightings of mysterious animals being in places they’re not expected to be. Bigfoot, Mothman, Loch Ness Monster, Jersey Devil, Tasmanian Tiger, Chupacabra, and many strange flying creatures, are just some examples of cryptozoology.

There have been sightings of these strange creatures all over the world, although some of them are thought to have originated in certain places. Loch Ness Monster obviously got its name due to famous alleged sightings in the Loch Ness of Scotland, but there are other lake legend monsters in other parts of the world as well. Jersey Devil is a legend originating in New Jersey, but winged creatures with large claws have always played their part in folklore.

Speaking of winged creatures, Mothman is another famous one, which was named after it allegedly terrorized many West Virginians in the 1960's. Thought to skeptics to have been a sandhill crane although none have ever been known to exist in that area before, it only stayed in West Virginia for a short time. During the time he spent in West Virginia, whatever he was, there was tragedy. Shortly before Christmas in 1967, the Silver Bridge collapsed causing the deaths of 47 people. The number of alleged Mothman sightings slowed down significantly after that incident.

Could this strange creature have been there to warn the citizens of upcoming doom? Or was its presence something more sinister? Whatever the reason(s), there has been many other winged-creature sightings in other parts of the world, usually before tragedy strikes.

In addition to strange winged creatures and water creatures, other commonalities of cryptozoology “animals” include creatures that are catlike and apelike. Strange catlike creatures can include either mystery “big cats” that aren’t known to exist, or known felines that are sighted in places where they’re not supposed to be. There are still rumors of cougars existing in the Eastern United States, for instance, although they’ve been long gone from that part of the country. There are also “alien big cats,” such as lynx’s and black panthers, which are spotted throughout Britain.

Skeptics would most likely find cases of these more likely than, oh say — mysterious winged cats. While most winged cats turn out to be nothing more than a cat with its fur shaped like wings, there aren’t any actual FLYING FELINES known to exist.

Perhaps some of the most famous creatures known to cryptozoology are the mysterious apelike entities — bigfoot, yeti, sasquatch, abdominal snow man, etc. While most sightings have taken place in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and Canada, the entire world has legends of such creatures. The majority of bigfoot sightings have turned out to be hoaxes, although there are still some that may have some legitimacy.

Scientists don’t feel there is any evidence to suggest that such a large, nonhuman primate can exist in North American climates. Believers and Cryptozooligists continue to believe, however, that there must be something out there that so many people have allegedly spotted. And even if there really is no bigfoot in North America, there are still yeti’s, abdominal snowmen, and sasquatches around the rest of the world spotted every year. What are they, exactly?

While legends of strange creatures have always existed and always will, we may never know the answers. Perhaps it’s best that we allow these creatures to continue alluding us, assuming that they really exist. Maybe it’s actually the mystery surrounding them that fascinates us the most. Would we really want to finally capture one of these creatures, only to lock it up in a science lab somewhere? No, for some of us, merely seeing one in a natural environment is more than enough.

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