Cryptozoology

Cryptozoology

Cryptozoology is, literally, the study of hidden animals. It is the study of such creatures as the Australian bunya, Bigfoot, the Chupacabra, and the Loch Ness monster. It is not a recognized branch of the science of zoology.

Cryptozoology relies heavily upon testimonials and circumstantial evidence in the form of legends and folklore, and the stories and alleged sightings of mysterious beasts by indigenous peoples, explorers, and travelers. Since cryptozoologists spend most of their energy trying to establish the existence of creatures, rather than examining actual animals, they are more akin to psi researchers than to zoologists.

Expertise in zoology, however, is asserted to be a necessity for work in Cryptozoology, according to Dr. Bernard Heuvelmans, who coined the term to describe his investigations of animals unknown to science. This focus on evaluating the evidence for "criptids" was continued by the International Society for Cryptozoology, which is now defunct.

Dragon of the Ishtar Gate - In 1902, archaeologists unearthed the remains of the infamous city of Babylon, including its fabled Ishtar Gate. The Gate's most intruiging feature is a relief carved in the stone, depicting two creatures. The first -- called the Re'em -- was easily identified as the now extinct type of cattle called the urus, but the second creature -- the Sirrush -- wasn't so easily identified. With a long scaled body and tail, a long neck and lizard- or snake-like head, the Sirrush also claimed a rather unique feature -- bird-like feet on its hind legs. It was an odd looking creature by the standards of its 1902 discoverers, however we now know that several species of dinosaurs did indeed have bird-like feet.

Was the Dragon of the Ishtar Gate a relic dinosaur? Some think so, some don't. Did it even exist anywhere but in the minds Babylonian artists? As with all cryptids, this too is a point of contention.

In the late 1930s, a science writer by the name of Willie Ley began research the Sirrush in Babylonian art history, and found that not only does it appear in other works, but was actually a common feature of art spanning thousands of years. With the rumours of dinosaur-like creatures stalking the dark corners of Africa, Ley believed that it was possible the Babylonians had not only heard of such a creature, but have seen one -- or even had one living in captivity within their city walls, behind the Ishtar Gate.

Chupacabra- Chupacabra -- which means "goat sucker" -- got it's name from the first reports of mutilated goats. In September 1995 Madeleine Tolentino and other eyewitnesses claimed to have seen a creature "three or four feet tall, with skin like that of a dinosaur, it had bright eyes the size of hens eggs, long fangs and multicolored spikes down its head and back." Other eyewitnesses have also said that it looks part bat, part kangaroo, and part alien Grey.

Jersey Devil - Since the early 1800s, strange creatures have been sighted in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, known as the Jersey Devils. Although various creatures have been given the name of Jersey Devil, from a suspiciously bogeyman-like creature to some water monsters, it has most often been applied to a huge bat-like creature of about three to four feet (about 1 meter) in body length and with a wingspan of between four and nine feet (1 - 3 meters). It is covered in brown or black fur, except for its bare-skinned wings. It has a long-necked boxy head described as horselike or dog-like, with moderately-sized ears; its body bears diminutive