Cryptozoology / Mythical CreaturesBelief 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."
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."
