An examination of the legends and history of strange creatures.

What strange unknown creatures may still lurk in the dark uncharted corners of the world? Bigfoot? The Yeti? The Thetis Lake Monster? Shapeshifting Lizards? Chupacabra? Mokele-Mbembe? Sea monsters? Lost dinosaurs? Giant bats? Let us explore the strange and fascinating world of cryptids with this book:Cryptids Mysterious Unknown Creatures.

'Mystery Creatures of China' is one of the most exciting additions to the cryptozoological literature in years. Lake monsters, man-beasts, mystery cats, and other strange creatures reported throughout China are described for the mystery animal enthusiast. Those who enjoy reading about the folklore of other cultures will also find much to ponder.

Cryptozoology is best understood as the study of animals which, in the eyes of Western science, are extinct, unclassified or unrecognised. In consequence, and in part because of its selective methods and lack of epistemological rigour, cryptozoology is often dismissed as a pseudo-science. However, there is a growing recognition that social science can benefit from engaging with it, for as as social scientists are very well aware, ’scientific’ categorisation and explanation represents just one of a myriad of systems used by humans to enable them to classify and make sense of the world around them. In many cultural contexts, myth, folk classification and lived experience challenge the ’truth’ expounded by scientists. With a reflexive, anthropological approach and drawing on rich empirical and ethnographic studies from around the world, this volume engages with the theoretical and methodological issues raised by reported sightings of unrecognised animals. Bringing into sharp focus the anthropological value and challenges for methodology posed by beliefs about unclassified creatures, Anthropology and Cryptozoology: Exploring encounters with mysterious creatures will be of interest to anthropologists, sociologists and geographers working in the fields of research methods, anthrozoology, mythology and folklore and human-animal interaction.

Describes animals and monsters whose existence is in doubt, providing information on where and when they were sighted, the research being done about these creatures, and their supposed physical characteristics and behaviors.

Volume 1 originally published: Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO, 2001.

The Loch Ness Monster. The Yeti. Bigfoot. These are just some of the iconic mythical creatures studied by the discipline of 'cryptozoology'. The idea of mysterious and terrifying creatures goes back centuries. They are known by the experts as cryptids. Today, these legendary beings continue to capture our imaginations. Discover the fascinating and often bizarre stories of real life monsters and the scientists who strove to separate the fact from fiction. In Hunting Monsters, Palaeozoological researcher Professor Darren Naish explores the fascinating science behind these elusive monsters - a science known as 'cryptozoology'. Bizarre stories of ancient sea-monsters and resurgent dinosaurs are explored in this concise book, taking into account the theories of Belgian zoologist Bernard Heuvelmans, the man responsible for coining the term 'cryptozoology', as well as modern day zoologists like John MacKinnon whose research sheds light into this novel field of work. Whether it is the monsters or the humans behind the story, this is a gripping tale of mystery and legend sure to enlighten you in the strange realms of cryptozoology.

Meet the monsters in our midst, from bigfoot to Mothman and beyond! Welcome to the United States of Cryptids, where mysterious monsters lurk in the dark forests, deep lakes, and sticky swamps of all fifty states. From the infamous Jersey Devil to the obscure Snallygaster, travel writer and chronicler of the strange J. W. Ocker uncovers the bizarre stories of these creatures and investigates the ways in which communities embrace and celebrate their local cryptids. Readers will learn about: • Batsquatch of Washington, a winged bigfoot that is said to have emerged from the eruption of Mount Saint Helens • Nain Rouge of Michigan, a fierce red goblin that has been spotted before every major city disaster in Detroit • Flatwoods Monster of West Virginia, a robotic extraterrestrial that crash-landed in rural Appalachia • Lizard Man of South Carolina, a reptilian mutant that attacked a teenager in the summer of 1988 • Glocester Ghoul of Rhode Island, a fire-breathing dragon that guards a hoard of pirate treasure • And many more! Whether you believe in bigfoot or not, this fully illustrated compendium is a fun, frightening, fascinating tour through American folklore and history, exploring the stories we tell about monsters and what those stories say about us.

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Find out about the bizarre creatures that live in West Virginia.