The study of hidden animals. Animals that may or may not be real but some people believe in them because they have either seen them, or they believe evidence of their existance.
by Jonathan V. December 14, 2004
Get the Cryptozoology mug.A psuedoscience that deals with animals currently unknown to science. While it certainly has more cred than most other psuedosciences (since their are thousands of species we have yet to document), it still focuses on more sensational reports, doesn't allow for much skepticism and attracts its fair share of UFO geeks and other impressionable people. A scientist who goes looking for a new kind of quail in southeast Asian rainforests can be said to be dabbling in cryptozoology. Sadly, cryptozoology focuses more often on ridiculous monster such as the chupacabra, bigfoot and loch ness monster.
1. Megan, who was into cryptozoology, had no trouble believing that the wake she saw in Stockton Lake was a lake monster. She called it Stockie.
2. For a long time the Giant Squid was confined to the realm of cryptozoology until washed up bodies were found and properly documented.
2. For a long time the Giant Squid was confined to the realm of cryptozoology until washed up bodies were found and properly documented.
by Genetic_Mishap April 22, 2006
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the study of hidden and mysterious creatures. its one of the coolest areas of science ever cuz u dun needa a degree. :D
Cryptids such as bigfoot, the loch ness monster, el chupacabra, mothman, jersey devil, dover demon, the beast of gevaudan are some of the "common" creatures of cryptozoology.
by gunslingergirlvy_c_e August 17, 2005
Get the cryptozoology mug."If you want to get government grants to sit on your ass and make up animals, you should study cryptozoology."
by sperm warrior July 8, 2009
Get the cryptozoology mug.When my brother told me he was studying cryptozoology, I thought it was a joke. But he was off his meds.
by Beadsis September 22, 2010
Get the Cryptozoology mug.People who pursue animals that are undescribed and unsubstantiated by modern science, yet are alleged to exist based on legend, hearsay, and eyewitness sightings. Examples of animals that cryptozoologists study and pursue are the sasquatch, the yeti, and the Loch Ness Monster, among many others.
The strongest argument against these legendary animals is often the unlikeliness of such large animals existing so long without even a dead specimen, in reasonable condition for study, being discovered.
Although mainstream biologists believe that a large number of animal species are still unknown, these are generally small species (e.g. insects) that require a trained eye to distinguish from known species, and are not fantastic enought to arouse the curiosity of the cryptozoologist, whose interests lie in large animals that would generate great publicity.
Cryptozoologists often defend their pursuits by citing the capture of such previously undescribed animals as the giant squid, the coelocanth, the okapis, and mountain gorillas. However, it should be mentioned that sea creatures such as the giant squid and the coelocanth have the vastness of the ocean in which dead specimens will easily vanish and live creatures can easily evade detection. Additionally, the skeletal remains of mountain gorillas and the okapis are not so extraordinary that an untrained eye would find anything unusual and they might be overlooked whereas the skull of a creature such as sasquatch would be so out of place in the North American woodlands that it would certainly arouse suspicion if found.
The strongest argument against these legendary animals is often the unlikeliness of such large animals existing so long without even a dead specimen, in reasonable condition for study, being discovered.
Although mainstream biologists believe that a large number of animal species are still unknown, these are generally small species (e.g. insects) that require a trained eye to distinguish from known species, and are not fantastic enought to arouse the curiosity of the cryptozoologist, whose interests lie in large animals that would generate great publicity.
Cryptozoologists often defend their pursuits by citing the capture of such previously undescribed animals as the giant squid, the coelocanth, the okapis, and mountain gorillas. However, it should be mentioned that sea creatures such as the giant squid and the coelocanth have the vastness of the ocean in which dead specimens will easily vanish and live creatures can easily evade detection. Additionally, the skeletal remains of mountain gorillas and the okapis are not so extraordinary that an untrained eye would find anything unusual and they might be overlooked whereas the skull of a creature such as sasquatch would be so out of place in the North American woodlands that it would certainly arouse suspicion if found.
Some of the animals that cryptozoologists seek would be incredible finds that scientists would welcome the opportunity to study if only skeletal remains or the soft tissue of a recently dead animal could be found.
by gawthic1 June 12, 2008
Get the cryptozoologist mug.the study of diseases of unknown or obscure causes. It aims at discovering the causes of such diseases in the future.
by uttam maharjan March 17, 2010
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