Cryptozoology 101: Understanding the Study of Hidden Animals and Bigfoot

Cryptozoology: The Study of Hidden Animals Have you ever heard of cryptozoology? If not, you're in for a treat. Cryptozoology is the study of hidden animals, or cryptids, and it's a fascinating field that combines elements of biology, anthropology, and folklore. One of the key figures in the development of cryptozoology was Bernard Heuvelmans, a Belgian-French scientist and explorer who founded the International Society of Cryptozoology (ISC) in 1982. Heuvelmans was inspired by a 1948 article in the Saturday Evening Post by Ivan T. Sanderson, which sparked his interest in unknown animals. Heuvelmans is often referred to as the "father of cryptozoology" and wrote extensively on the subject, including a two-volume book on the tracks of unidentified animals published in 1955. He coined the term "cryptozoology" to describe the new discipline, which he saw as a way to study animals that were either thought to be extinct or had yet to be discovered. Cryptozoology is divided into two subfields: A, which deals with creatures of myths and sagas such as dragons and sirens, and B, which focuses on animals that are either thought to be extinct or have yet to be discovered. These animals are called cryptids, and there are four kinds: 1. Unidentified animals: These are creatures that deviate from known and identified animals to the extent that they cannot be categorized according to any existing zoological system. Examples include Mothman and Bigfoot. 2. Potentially extinct animals: These are organisms that are considered to be extinct already, such as certain forms of modern reptiles. 3. Animals that are identical to familiar types: These appear to be a known animal except for one or two differences, perhaps due to mutation or parentage that is a mixture of more common animal varieties. 4. Known animals found in unusual places: This would include panthers reported in Great Britain or the Odinwald region of Southern Germany. It is important to discover if these sightings are a genuine population rather than simply an animal that has escaped from captivity. Heuvelmans and Sanderson worked together to establish cryptozoology and to give it some guidelines and definition. While cryptozoology is still considered a parascience, the methodology of cryptozoology mirrors that of zoology. If you're interested in learning more about cryptozoology, be sure to check out the video from TCC Research. And if you have had a sighting or encounter, we encourage you to share your story with us. Who knows, you might be contributing to the study of a hidden animal!