The easiest pseudocryptozoological exhibition items to have, of course, are often the gaffs and hoaxes. Among those in most cabinets of curiosities are the Feejee mermaids and the furred trouts, both taxidermy fakes. I have my share. I use them to let people know these objects are often shown as “almost real” specimens. Most honest sideshow owners displaying them often merely only ask “What is It?” or “Is it Real?” But slowly the drift has been, perhaps due to eBay, for people to present these items as cryptozoological, from “unknown animals.” For cryptozoologists, we need to be aware of this [...]
Loren Coleman
Crookston Sasquatch Sightings
In 1990, Wisconsin taxidermist and artist Curtis Christensen created the “world’s most unique Bigfoot in existence,” above, and kept it to himself in his barn for a few years. When I talked to Christensen in 2004, he shared that he merely wished to create the model because he had an interest in doing so and he wanted to see how big it would be. (His model stands 8 feet tall and weighs nearly 500 pounds.) In June 1995, Crookston, Minnesota, based on a series of local sightings, declared itself the “Bigfoot Capital of the World.” Badger State taxidermist Christensen heard [...]
2000+ New Species!
Thousands of New Sea Species Found A French-led marine expedition team has discovered what is believed to be thousands of new species of molluscs and crustaceans around a Philippine island. The announcement was made by officials and scientists on Monday [February 5, 2007]. Some 80 scientists, technicians, students and volunteers from 19 countries led by Philippe Bouchet of the French National Museum of Natural History surveyed waters around Panglao island, 400 miles south-east of Manila from 2004-2005. The Panglao Marine Biodiversity Project turned over more than a hundred “holotype” or representative specimen of the rare finds to the Philippine National [...]
1st Complete Thylacoleo Found
Thylacoleo carnifex The January 25, 2007, issue of Nature announced the first analysis of a treasure trove of fossils unearthed in southern Australian underground caves in the Nullarbor plains. Hundreds of fossils were extremely well preserved, from the the middle Pleistocene (200,000 and 800,000 years ago). They constitute a veritable Rosetta stone for ice age Australia. We discovered 69 species of mammals, birds and reptiles, including a remarkable eight new species of kangaroo, the most common of which sported unusually large brow ridges. – Palaeontogist Gavin Prideaux Western Australia Museum Bert Robert, on left, Mike Morwood, right. The most impressive [...]
“Hidden” Frog Found
Talk about your “hidden animal.” Now we know why they call cryptozoology the study of “hidden animals.” (It’s a joke, herpers.) Above is shown one of the rare members of the Nannophrys frogs, from Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon, which frequently remains as a historical artifact in their scientific names). Craig Heinselman has posted at Strange Ark that there has been a new species of frog (shown below) described from Sri Lanka. It is a new species of endemic frog belonging to the genus Nannophrys. Heinselman notes: “In 2004 and 2005, nine specimens of the amphibian were collected. These [...]
Cryptozoology: First Use?
Cryptozoology, as you know, means “the study of hidden animals.” In 1955, Belgian zoologist Bernard Heuvelmans wrote a groundbreaking book in French, a now classic opus entitled (in English) On the Track of Unknown Animals. But in the 1955 French and the 1958 English editions, you will not find the word “cryptozoology,” in any language. The first (known) published use of the word “cryptozoology” in French, occurred in 1959 in a book by wildlife biologist Lucien Blancou, dedicated to “Bernard Heuvelmans, master of cryptozoology.” In 1961, Ivan T. Sanderson’s Abominable Snowmen: Legend Come to Life was first published. Sanderson’s book [...]
Super Sunday Goes Ape
Who would have thought that CBS News on Super Bowl Sunday would attempt to tackle the Skunk Ape? Well, that is exactly what happened on “CBS Sunday Morning,” on February 4, 2007. Correspondent Bill Geist did one of his folksy and friendly stories from the field. Geist is one of the best parts of “Sunday Morning,” and routinely does a roadside America-type report. Even though they are funny, as opposed to getting the feeling Geist is trying for ridicule, he honestly appears to enjoy this kind of journalism about unusual attractions and weird stops during his travels. Geist calmly began [...]
Russian Relic Hominids
Since Boris Porshnev’s time, the hypothesis that the Caucasus Almasty is a Neanderthal has existed.
Death by Sea Serpent?
In response to my “Sea Serpent Snatching?” blog, cryptozoologist Matt Bille, author of 2006′s Shadows of Existence, sent along a comment. He mentioned that there has been only one known case of the possible killing of humans by a Sea Serpent. I asked Matt to expand on this, and submit a guest blog on the account. He agreed and you will find his welcome overview of the incident below. Matt with a friend. Matt Bille’s contribution on this intriguing Sea Serpent case follows. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Death by Sea Serpent? By Matt Bille In the modern history of “sea serpents,” we have [...]
Extinct Parrot Found
This is a story about finding hidden treasures right before your eyes, in this case (pun intended), the beautiful Paradise Parrot of Australia. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The University of Aberdeen Zoology Museum (UK) has taken care of a case of mounted Australian birds, one of which is the spectacular but sadly extinct Paradise Parrot (Psephotus pulcherrimus). Nature-lover Michael Middleton, from the [Aberdeen] city centre, donated the exotic birds after the case that held them developed woodworm. It prompted him to scan the internet for more information on the assortment of stuffed birds, totalling three parrots, a pardalote, a kookaburra, a wild budgie [...]
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