Extinct

“Flying Dinosaurs”

Two new publications have appeared on the little-discussed subject of what is popularly referred to as "flying dinosaurs." These two works, however, are at separate ends of the cryptozoology continuum. One is a non-fiction review of the sightings over North America of pterodactyl-like creatures, and the other is a comic graphic novel. Intriguingly, their promotional imagery is reminiscent of each other. In Volume 10, Number 2 of the journal Wonders, cryptozoologist and the journal’s editor Mark A. Hall tackles living dinosaurs, first in an article about ones that soar. The flying variety over his home continent are detailed. Also Hall [...]

Coelacanth Extinction?

Boing Boing has posted an intriguing entry on “Coelacanths in Danger” today. Who would ever have thought that the coelacanth, “rediscovered” in 1938 & 1952 (off Africa) and then, shockingly, “rediscovered” in 1998 (off Sumatra), would be the topic so quickly of them going extinct. As Boing Boing’s David Pescovitz observes: The coelacanth is a fish that was thought to have been extinct for the last 65 million years until it showed up in 1938 near South Africa. Apparently though, it’s really on the verge of extinction this time. Last year, 25 of them were accidentally caught in shallow-water nets. [...]

2006: Year of the Imperial Woodpecker?

Could 2006 be the Year of the Imperial Woodpecker? Clearly 2005 was the year of the ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis). As the #1 cryptozoology story of 2005, the rediscovery of the ivory-billed made a dramatic statement beyond the realm of zoology and cryptozoology that long-thought extinct animals may still exist. Has a recent sighting of the world’s largest woodpecker foretold another major forthcoming cryptozoological rediscovery? Are we prepared for another major avian event for 2006? The Imperial Woodpecker (Campephilus imperialis) was or is the world’s largest species of woodpecker; yes, it is even grander than its often-discussed relative, the ivory-billed [...]

Top Cryptozoology Books 2005

The Top Cryptozoology Books of 2005 by Loren Coleman, Cryptozoologist and Author of Bigfoot! and Tom Slick: True Life Encounters in Cryptozoology It is time for my annual overviews of all things cryptozoological. Here’s my top picks for the best cryptozoology books of 2005, in order of the books’ rankings of importance, plus the books’ individual achievements noted in recognition of each of their unique niches within the cryptozoological literature this year. If you are looking for “The Top Cryptozoology Stories of 2005,” please click here. (1) The Best Historical Book on Cryptozoology in 2005 The Lady and the Panda: [...]

The Mystery Fish – X-CMing

Is there such a thing as X-CMing? Extreme Cryptomundo.com -ing? You, the Cryptomundo readers, have demonstrated that the Mystery Fish Postcard Photograph is one of the most popular all-time cryptid image enigmas, yet. Due to popular demand, here is a roundup of all four direct links to the "Mystery Fish Photo" entries in the Cryptomundo.com blog, from earliest to most recent: "Name the Mystery Fish" "Name the Mystery Fish Continued" "Mystery Fish Comparison" "Mystery Fish Head Closeup" Almost two hundred comments, most of them extremely thoughtful and detailed, can be found at these entries, and yours are welcome here. To [...]

Mystery Fish Head Closeup

Due to several requests for a closeup of the head of the mystery cryptid on the postcard, here’s a computer enhancement. What do you see here? (Click image for full-size version) (Click image for full-size version, provided by Todd DiLaMuca) (Click image for full-size version, provided by Todd DiLaMuca)

Mystery Fish Comparison

So many people have taken the time to enhance, redefine, and otherwise point out items they are finding and seeing on the “Name the Mystery Fish” postcard that we have decided to post one of those here, in this one blog, moving it from the comments’ sections. What are you seeing in this? Todd DiLaMuca’s photo mash-up (Click on image to view full-size)