Belief in legendary creatures like Bigfoot, Yeti (a.k.a. the Abominable Snowman), and the Loch Ness Monster provides the basis for a field of paranormal research called cryptozoology ("the study of hidden animals"). The term is usually used by proponents rather than skeptics. Unfortunately evidence for the existence of such creatures is scant, consisting of dubious photographs, eyewitness reports, and alleged traces such as footprints. Experience shows that hoaxes and misperceptions (such as mistaking a line of swimming otters for a serpentine lake creature) are responsible for many "sightings."Furthermore, photos, films, and trace evidence not only can be faked but often have been. For example, the classic photograph of "Nessie," the fabled Loch Ness Monster, was controversial from its origin in 1934 until (six decades later) researchers learned the photo had been made by photographing a small model. Bigfoot tracks have been faked by pranksters who carved wooden monster feet, strapped them to their shoes, and walked over soft ground with exaggerated strides. |