Cryptid
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A cryptid is an animal claimed to exist, but for which there is no type specimen or formal description. The claims can be made either by cryptozoologists (people who attempt to use scientific methods to discover such creatures), or can be claimed by people who think they saw a strange creature.
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[edit] Well-known cryptids
Cryptids are reported from many parts of the world, but some have achieved worldwide fame despite proof of their existence being lacking. these include:
- Bipedal, ape-like creatures such as Bigfoot, the Yeti etc.
- large, often long-necked creatures reported from lakes or the open sea; examples include the Loch Ness Monster.
- Animals occurring far outside their usual range, such as big cats in the United Kingdom.
- Extinct creatures for which claims of survival, and possible sightings are made; examples include the thylacine and ivory-billed woodpecker. Also in this category are creatures whose existence has not been proven but who are said to have descended from existence-proven creatures who are extinct, such as cadborosaurus, who is said to be a descendent of the plesiosaur.
Mythical beasts such as dragons or unicorns are not cryptids - nobody who isn't batshit crazy is seriously claiming that they still exist.
[edit] Ex-cryptids
Via study and simple science unknown creatures have often been inserted into mainstream science. Examples include
- Giant Squid
- Okapi
- Giraffe
- Platypus (assumed to be a fake when the first skins arrived in Britain)
- Komodo Dragon
- Xanthopan morgani, a moth with a 12-inch tongue, as predicted with the Comet Orchid in Madagascar.
[edit] Cryptids and creationism
Some creationists state that reports of surviving dinosaur-like creatures in remote parts of the world disprove evolution and prove a young earth (for example, the bunyip). There is even a website devoted to this topic: Genesis Park.[1]
Creationist "forensic videographer"[1] Jonathan Whitcomb tried to convince people that there were still living pterosaurs in Papua New Guinea in his book Searching for Ropens and his less-disingenuously titled sequel Searching for Ropens and Finding God. He offered by way of evidence, some local mythology and blurry photos and video of what is likely a frigatebird.[2]
Why surviving dinosaurs would disprove evolution (when known mesozoic survivals such as magnolias and crocodilians do not) is not adequately explained.