Skip to main content
Book cover

Problematic Wildlife pp 573–588Cite as

A Review of Cryptozoology: Towards a Scientific Approach to the Study of “Hidden Animals”

Abstract

Cryptozoology is still generally considered a non-academic discipline based on a mostly pseudoscientific approach aimed at studying animals whose existence is not yet supported by incontrovertible physical evidence. This chapter aims to present a critical review of the most important published attempts at defining this discipline in order to propose a new and scientifically acceptable definition of “cryptozoology” and to suggest how to integrate it with the present approach to conservation by helping in the discovery of new species and the rediscovery of supposedly extinct ones. The results of this review indicate that, although several cryptozoological hypotheses present pseudoscientific claims, the cryptozoological method can be considered scientific overall and, despite to the claims of some critics, cryptozoology is not redundant with respect to zoology.

Keywords

  • Cryptozoology
  • New species
  • Pseudoscience

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-22246-2_26
  • Chapter length: 16 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-3-319-22246-2
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Hardcover Book
USD   249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Arment C (2004) Cryptozoology: science & speculation. Coachwhip, Landisville

    Google Scholar 

  • Binns R (1983) The Loch Ness mystery solved. Rigby, Adelaide

    Google Scholar 

  • Black SA, Fellous A, Yamaguchi N, Roberts DL (2013) Examining the extinction of the barbary lion and its implications for felid conservation. PLoS One 8(4):e60174. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0060174

    CrossRef  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Blancou L (1959) Géographie cynégétique du monde. Presses Universitaires de France, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Bousfiled EL, LeBlond PH (1995) An account of Cadborosaurus willsi, new genus, new species, a large aquatic reptile from the Pacific coast of North America. Amphipacifica 1:1–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyd IJ, Stanfield MP (1998) Circumstantial evidence for the presence of monk seals in the West Indies. Oryx 32:310–316

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Burney DA, Ramilisonina (1999) The Kilopilopitsofy, Kidoky, and Bokyboky: accounts of strange animals from Belo-sur-Mer, Madagascar, and the megafaunal “extinction window”. Am Anthropol 100:957–966

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell S (1996) The loch ness monster the evidence. BPC-AUP Aberdeen, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Carroll RT (2003) The skeptic’s dictionary: a collection of strange beliefs, amusing deceptions, and dangerous delusions. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark J, Coleman L (1978) Creatures of the outer space. Warner Books, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Conway J, Koseman CM, Naish D (2013) Cryptozoologicon, vol 1. Irregular Books

    Google Scholar 

  • Cozzuol MA, Clozato CL, Holanda EC, Rodrigues FH, Nienow S, de Thoisy B, Redondo RAF, Santos FR (2013) A new species of tapir from the Amazon. J Mammal 94:1331–1345

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Donegan TM (2008) New species and subspecies descriptions do not and should not always require a dead type specimen. Zootaxa 1761:37–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Dubois A, Nemésio A (2007) Does nomenclatural availability of nomina of new species or subspecies require the deposition of vouchers in collections? Zootaxa 1409:1–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Geissmann T, Lwin G, Aung S, Naing Aung T, Aung ZM, Hla T, Grindley M, Momberg F (2010) A new species of snub-nosed monkey, Genus Rhinopithecus Milne-Edwards, 1872 (Primates, Colobianae), from Northern Kachin State, Northeastern Myanmar. Am J Primatol. doi:10.1002/ajp.20894

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Giam X, Scheffers BR, Sodhi NS, Wilcove DS, Ceballos G, Ehrlich PR (2012) Reservoirs of richness: least disturbed tropical forests are centres of undescribed species diversity. Proc Biol Sci 279(1726):67–76. doi:10.1098/rspb.2011.0433

    CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greenwell R (1982) Formation of the society. ISC Newslet 1(1):1–3

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenwell R (1983) Interview. ISC Newslet 2(1):1–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenwell R (1984) Interview. The father of cryptozoology gives his views on many matters. ISC Newslet 3(3):1–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenwell R (1985) A classificatory system for cryptozoology. Cryptozoology 4:1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Groves CP (1984) But how many large, terrestrial animal species remain to be discovered? Cryptozoology 3:111–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Happel D (1983) Parataxa and hypothetical concepts—their irrelevance to cryptozoology. Cryptozoology 2:147–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedgpeth JW (1968) Elusive specimens. Science 162(3855):787–788

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Heuvelmans B (1955) Sur la piste des bêtes ignorées. Plon, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuvelmans B (1958a) Dans le sillage des monstres marins: le kraken et le poulpe colossal. Plon, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuvelmans B (1958b) On the Track of Unknown animals. Rupert Hart-Davis, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuvelmans B (1958c) Tras la pista de los animales desconoscidos (I y II). Luis de Caralt, Barcelona

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuvelmans B (1965) Le grand serpent-de-mer. Plon, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuvelmans B (1968) In the wake of the sea-serpent. Hill & Wang, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuvelmans B (1969) Note préliminaire sur un spécimen conservé dans le glace, d’une forme encore inconnue d’Hominidé vivant: Homo pongoides (sp. Seu subsp. Nov.). Bullettin de l’Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique 45:1–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuvelmans B (1978) Les derniers dragons d’Afrique. Plon, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuvelmans B (1980) Les bêtes humaines d’Afrique. Plon, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuvelmans B (1982) What is cryptozoology? Cryptozoology 1:1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuvelmans B (1983) How many animal species remain to be discovered? Cryptozoology 2:1–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuvelmans B (1984) The birth and early history of cryptozoology. Cryptozoology 3:1–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuvelmans B (1986) Annotated checklist of apparently unknown animals with which cryptozoology is concerned. Cryptozoology 5:1–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuvelmans B (1987a) La criptozoologia: cosa è cosa non è. Abstracta 12:68–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuvelmans B (1987b) La metamorfosi degli animali sconosciuti in bestie favolose. Abstracta 18:68–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuvelmans B (1988) The sources and method of cryptozoological research. Cryptozoology 7:1–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuvelmans B (1990) The metamorphosis of unknown animals into fabulous beasts and of fabulous beasts into known animals. Cryptozoology 9:1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuvelmans B (1997) Histoire de la Cryptozoologie—Seconde partie essor et officialisation de la Cryptozoologie. Criptozoologia 3:23–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuvelmans B (2007) The natural history of hidden animals. Kegan Paul, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuvelmans B, Porchnev BF (1974) L’homme de Néanderthal est toujours vivant. Plon, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Hume J, Martill DM, Dewdney C (2004) Dutch diaries and the demise of the dodo. Nature. doi:10.1038/nature02688

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson DH (1959) On the track of unknown animals. Science 130(3384):1245–1246

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Keel JA (1970) Strange creatures from time and space. Fawcett, Minnesota

    Google Scholar 

  • Krantz GS (1999) Bigfoot Sasquatch evidence. Hancock House, Surrey

    Google Scholar 

  • Krumbiegel I (1950) Von neuen und unentdeckten Tierarten. Kosmos, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • LeBlond PH, Bousfiled EL (1995) Cadborosaurus survivor from the deep. Horsdal & Schubart, Victoria

    Google Scholar 

  • Loxton D, Prothero DR (2013) Abominable science!: origins of the Yeti, Nessie, and other famous cryptids. Columbia University Press, New York

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Mackal RP (1976) The monsters of loch ness. Swallow Press, Chicago

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackal RP (1980) Searching for hidden animals. Garden City, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackal RP (1987) A living dinosaur? In search of Mokele-Mbembe. E.J. Brill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Magin U (1996) St George without a dragon. Fortean Studies 4:223–234

    Google Scholar 

  • May RM (1984) Science journals: cryptozoology. Nature 307:687

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • McKinney (2013) In response to Darren Naish: why cryptozoology is pseudoscience. Available at http://skeptoid.com/blog/2013/01/08/in-response-to-darren-naish-why-cryptozoology-is- pseudoscience/. Accessed 14 Jan 2015

  • Meurger M, Gagnon C (1998) Lake monster traditions: a Cross-cultural analysis. Fortean Tomes, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore RC, Sylvester-Bradley PC (1957) Zoological nomenclature: proposed addition to the “Règles” of provisions recognizing and regulating the nomenclature of “Parataxa”. J Paleontol 31:1180–1183

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris R, Morris D (1966) Men and pandas. Hutchinson, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Naish D (2001) Sea serpents, seals and coelacanths: an attempt at a holistic approach to the identity of large aquatic cryptids. In: Simmons I, Quin M (eds) Fortean studies, vol 7. John Brown, London, pp 75–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Naish D (2007) Monster hunting? Well, no. No. Available at http://scienceblogs.com/tetrapodzoology/2007/10/10/monster-hunting-well-no-no/. Accessed 14 Jan 2015

  • Oudemans AC (1892) The great sea-serpent. An historical and critical treatise. Luzac, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Pauwels O, Chérot F (1997) Cryptoherpétologie et nomenclature: le problème et sa solution. Bulletin de la Société herpetologique de France 82–83: 41–49 [in French]

    Google Scholar 

  • Paxton C (2002) In search of monster? A defence to cryptozoology. The Skeptic 15(3):10–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Paxton C (2009) The plural of ‘anecdote’ can be ‘data’: statistical analysis of viewing distances in reports of unidentified large marine animals 1758-2000. J Zool 279:381–387

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Paxton C (2011) Putting the “ology” into cryptozoology. Biofortean Notes 1:7–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Pitman RL, Aguayo AL, Urbán RJ (1987) Observations of an unidentified beaked whale (Mesoplodon sp.) in the eastern tropical Pacific. Mar Mamm Sci 3:245–352

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Polaszek A, Grubb P, Groves C, Ehardt CL, Butynski TM (2005) What constitutes a proper description: response. Science 309:2164–2166

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Polidoro M (2006) Il sesto senso. Piemme, Casale Monferrato

    Google Scholar 

  • Prothero DR (2007) Evolution: what the fossils say and why it matters. Columbia University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Raynal M (1989) Cryptozoology: science or pseudoscienze? Cryptozoology 8:98–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Reed IC (1959) On the track of unknown animals by Bernard Heuvelmans. Am Sci 47:378

    Google Scholar 

  • Rossi L (2011) The role of circumstantial evidence in the discovery and description of new species of Primates since 2000 and conservational implication. Paper presented at the 2nd International congress problematic wildlife—conservation and management, Università della Tuscia, Genazzano, Rome 2–5, February 2011

    Google Scholar 

  • Rossi L (2012) Criptozoologia—Animali misteriosi tra scienza e leggenda. Photocity, Pozzuoli

    Google Scholar 

  • Saggese P (2009) Cadborosaurus willsi: indagine attributiva. In: Saggese P, Mosca M (eds) All’ombra dei falsi mostri. Torino, Ananke, pp 185–209

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanderson IT (1948) There could be dinosaurs. Saturday Evening Post (January 3)

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott P, Rines R (1976) Naming the Loch Ness monster. Nature 258:466–468

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheffers BR, Yong DL, Harris JBC, Giam X, Sodhi NS (2011) The world’s rediscovered species: back from the brink? PLoS One 6, e22531. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0022531

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Sheil D, Lawrance A (2004) Tropical biologists, local people and conservation: new opportunities for conservation. Trends Ecol Evol 19:634–638

    CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shermer M (1997) Why people believe weird things. W. H. Freeman, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Shermer M (2003) Show me the body. Sci Am 288:27

    Google Scholar 

  • Shine A (2006) Loch Ness. Loch Ness Project, Drumnadrochit

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson GG (1984) Mammals and cryptozoology. Proc Am Philos Soc 128:1–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith JLB (1953) The second coelacanth. Nature 171:99–101

    CrossRef  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith JLB (1956) Old fourlegs. The story of the coelacanth. Longmans, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor RT, Compagno LJV, Struhsaker PJ (1983) Megamouth a new species, genus and family of lamnoid sharks, Megachasma pelagios (Family Megachasmidae), from the Hawaiian Islands. Proc Cal Acad Sci 43(8):87–110

    Google Scholar 

  • van Roosmalen MGM (2014) Tapirus pygmaeus Van Roosmalen & Van Hooft in Van Roosmalen, 2013 (Mammalia, Perissodactyla, Tapiridae): proposed confirmation of availability of the specific name and of the book in which this nominal species was proposed. Bull Zool Nomencl 71:84–87

    Google Scholar 

  • van Roosmalen MGM, van Hooft P (2013) New species of living tapir, the dwarf tapir (Mammalia: Tapiridae) from the Brazilian Amazon. In: van Roosmalen MGM (ed) Barefoot through the Amazon—on the path of evolution. CreateSpace, North Charleston, pp 400–404

    Google Scholar 

  • van Roosmalen MGM, van Roosmalen T (2002) The description of a new marmoset genus, Callibella (Callitrichinae, Primates), including its molecular phylogenetic status. Neotrop Primates 11:1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • van Roosmalen MGM, van Roosmalen T, Mittermeier RA, Fonseca GAB (1998) A new and distinctive species of marmoset (Callitrichidae, Primates) from the lower Rio Aripuanã, state of Amazonas, central Brasilian Amazonia. Goeldiana Zoologia 22:1–27

    Google Scholar 

  • van Roosmalen MGM, van Roosmalen T, Mittermeier RA, Rylands AB (2000) Two new species of marmoset, genus Callithrix Erxleben, 1777 (Callitrichidae, Primates), from the Tapajós/Madeira interfluvium, south central Amazonia, Brazil. Neotrop Primates 8:1–18

    Google Scholar 

  • van Roosmalen MGM, van Roosmalen T, Mittermeier RA (2002) A taxonomic review of the titi monkeys, genus Callicebus Thomas, 1903, with the description of two new species, Callicebus bernhardi and Callicebus stephennashi. Neotrop Primates 10:1–52

    Google Scholar 

  • van Valen LM (1983) Cryptozoology, paleontology, and evidence. Cryptozoology 2:155–157

    Google Scholar 

  • Wakeham-Dawson A, Morris S, Tubbs P, Dalebout ML, Baker CS (2002) Type specimens: dead or alive? Bull Zool Nomencl 59(4):282–286

    Google Scholar 

  • Wall JE (1983) Cryptoletters. ISC Newslet 2(2):10

    Google Scholar 

  • Welton LJ, Siler CD, Bennett D, Diesmos A, Duya MR, Dugay R, Rico ELB, van Weerd M, Brown RM (2010) A spectacular new Philippine monitor lizard reveals a hidden biogeographic boundary and a novel flagship species for conservation. Biol Lett. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2010.0119

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • West R (2011) Pickled punks & girlie shows. Schiffer, Atglen

    Google Scholar 

  • Wigmore JH (1935) Code of the rules of evidence in trials at law. Little, Brown, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiseman R (2011) Paranormality: why we see what isn’t there. Pan Macmillan, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodley M (2011) Introducing Aequivotaxa: a new classificatory system for cryptozoology. Kraken: Archives de Cryptozoologie 3:63–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodley MA, Naish D, Shanahan HP (2008) How many extant pinniped species remain to be described? Hist Biol 20:225–235

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

For their invaluable help, I wish to thank: Francesco Maria Angelici and Matt Bille for their advice, Marco Signore and Mauro Cella for their suggestions and translation, Dario Marcello Soldan, Charles Paxton, and Ulrich Magin for some papers I needed and was not able to find. I thank the two anonymous referees for their careful reading of my manuscript and their insightful comments and suggestions.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Associazione Orango, Via San Cristoforo, 196, 47522, Cesena, FC, Italy

    Lorenzo Rossi

Authors
  1. Lorenzo Rossi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lorenzo Rossi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. FIZV, Rome, Italy

    Francesco M. Angelici

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Rossi, L. (2016). A Review of Cryptozoology: Towards a Scientific Approach to the Study of “Hidden Animals”. In: Angelici, F. (eds) Problematic Wildlife. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-22246-2_26

Download citation