List of cryptids
Updated: 5/20/2026, 8:12:45 PM Wikipedia source
Cryptids are animals or other beings whose present existence is disputed or unsubstantiated by science. Cryptozoology, the study of cryptids, is a pseudoscience claiming that such beings may exist somewhere in the wild; it has been widely critiqued by scientists. The subculture is regularly criticized for reliance on anecdotal information and because in the course of investigating animals that most scientists believe are unlikely to have existed, cryptozoologists do not follow the scientific method. Many scientists have criticized the plausibility of cryptids due to lack of physical evidence, likely misidentifications and misinterpretation of stories from folklore. While biologists regularly identify new species following established scientific methodology, cryptozoologists focus on entities mentioned in the folklore record and rumor.
Tables
· List › Aquatic or semi-aquatic
Anguila peluda
Anguila peluda
Name
Anguila peluda
Other names
Hairy Eel
Description
Pond animal
Purported location
Pamital ravine, Canary Islands
Beast of Busco
Beast of Busco
Name
Beast of Busco
Other names
Oscar
Description
Giant snapping turtle
Purported location
Churubusco, Indiana, United States
Bunyip
Bunyip
Name
Bunyip
Other names
Bahnyip
Description
Amphibious creature
Purported location
Australia
Depiction
Cadborosaurus
Cadborosaurus
Name
Cadborosaurus
Other names
Caddy
Description
Sea animal
Purported location
Pacific Coast of North America
Depiction
Champ
Champ
Name
Champ
Other names
Champy
Description
Lake monster
Purported location
Lake Champlain, North America
Depiction
Cryptid whales
Cryptid whales
Name
Cryptid whales
Other names
Giglioli's Whale, Rhinoceros dolphin, High-finned sperm whale, Alula whale, Unidentified beaked whales
Description
Sea animal
Purported location
Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean
Depiction
Dobhar-chú
Dobhar-chú
Name
Dobhar-chú
Other names
Water Hound, King Otter
Description
Extra-large otter-like carnivorous aquatic mammal
Purported location
Ireland
Depiction
Gloucester sea serpent
Gloucester sea serpent
Name
Gloucester sea serpent
Description
Large serpent
Purported location
Gloucester, Massachusetts
(Cape Ann), United States
Depiction
Iemisch
Iemisch
Name
Iemisch
Other names
Iemisch Listai
Description
Mix of a jaguar and otter
Purported location
Patagonian region of Argentina
Igopogo
Igopogo
Name
Igopogo
Other names
Kempenfelt Kelly
Description
Lake monster
Purported location
Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada
Labynkyr Devil
Labynkyr Devil
Name
Labynkyr Devil
Other names
Labynkyrsky Chert
Description
Lake monster
Purported location
Oymyakonsky Ulus, Sakha Republic, Russia
Loch Ness Monster
Loch Ness Monster
Name
Loch Ness Monster
Other names
Nessie
Description
Lake monster
Purported location
Loch Ness, Scotland
Depiction
Loveland Frog
Loveland Frog
Name
Loveland Frog
Other names
Loveland frogman, Loveland lizard
Description
Humanoid frog
Purported location
Loveland, Ohio, United States
Depiction
Manipogo
Manipogo
Name
Manipogo
Other names
Winnipogo
Description
Lake monster
Purported location
Lake Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada
Mbielu-mbielu-mbielu
Mbielu-mbielu-mbielu
Name
Mbielu-mbielu-mbielu
Description
Stegosaurid dinosaur (lake, river and/or swamp monster)
Purported location
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Depiction
Megalodon (surviving populations)
Megalodon (surviving populations)
Name
Megalodon (surviving populations)
Other names
Otodus megalodon
Description
Giant prehistoric shark
Purported location
Oceans
Depiction
Mermaid
Mermaid
Name
Mermaid
Other names
Siren
Description
Top half human female and bottom half fish
Purported location
Oceans, various bodies of water
Depiction
Mokele-mbembe
Mokele-mbembe
Name
Mokele-mbembe
Description
Dinosaur (lake, river and/or swamp monster)
Purported location
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Depiction
Montauk Monster
Montauk Monster
Name
Montauk Monster
Description
Small bald beaked mammal
Purported location
Montauk, New York, United States
Morgawr
Morgawr
Name
Morgawr
Description
Sea serpent
Purported location
Falmouth Bay, Cornwall, United Kingdom
Ogopogo
Ogopogo
Name
Ogopogo
Other names
N'ha•a•itk, Naitaka
Description
Lake monster
Purported location
Okanagan Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Depiction
Sea serpents
Sea serpents
Name
Sea serpents
Description
Sea animals, dinosaurs
Purported location
All bodies of water
Depiction
Selma
Selma
Name
Selma
Other names
Seljordsormen
Description
Lake monster
Purported location
Lake Seljord, Telemark, Norway
Depiction
Steller's sea ape
Steller's sea ape
Name
Steller's sea ape
Description
Sea animal
Purported location
Northern Pacific Ocean
Depiction
Storsjö monster
Storsjö monster
Name
Storsjö monster
Description
Lake monster
Purported location
Lake Storsjön, Jämtland, Sweden
Depiction
| Name | Other names | Description | Purported location | Depiction |
| Anguila peluda | Hairy Eel | Pond animal | Pamital ravine, Canary Islands | |
| Beast of Busco | Oscar | Giant snapping turtle | Churubusco, Indiana, United States | |
| Bunyip | Bahnyip | Amphibious creature | Australia | |
| Cadborosaurus | Caddy | Sea animal | Pacific Coast of North America | |
| Champ | Champy | Lake monster | Lake Champlain, North America | |
| Cryptid whales | Giglioli's Whale, Rhinoceros dolphin, High-finned sperm whale, Alula whale, Unidentified beaked whales | Sea animal | Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean | |
| Dobhar-chú | Water Hound, King Otter | Extra-large otter-like carnivorous aquatic mammal | Ireland | |
| Gloucester sea serpent | Large serpent | Gloucester, Massachusetts (Cape Ann), United States | | |
| Iemisch | Iemisch Listai | Mix of a jaguar and otter | Patagonian region of Argentina | |
| Igopogo | Kempenfelt Kelly | Lake monster | Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada | |
| Labynkyr Devil | Labynkyrsky Chert | Lake monster | Oymyakonsky Ulus, Sakha Republic, Russia | |
| Loch Ness Monster | Nessie | Lake monster | Loch Ness, Scotland | |
| Loveland Frog | Loveland frogman, Loveland lizard | Humanoid frog | Loveland, Ohio, United States | |
| Manipogo | Winnipogo | Lake monster | Lake Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada | |
| Mbielu-mbielu-mbielu | Stegosaurid dinosaur (lake, river and/or swamp monster) | Democratic Republic of the Congo | | |
| Megalodon (surviving populations) | Otodus megalodon | Giant prehistoric shark | Oceans | |
| Mermaid | Siren | Top half human female and bottom half fish | Oceans, various bodies of water | |
| Mokele-mbembe | Dinosaur (lake, river and/or swamp monster) | Democratic Republic of the Congo | | |
| Montauk Monster | Small bald beaked mammal | Montauk, New York, United States | ||
| Morgawr | Sea serpent | Falmouth Bay, Cornwall, United Kingdom | ||
| Ogopogo | N'ha•a•itk, Naitaka | Lake monster | Okanagan Lake, British Columbia, Canada | |
| Sea serpents | Sea animals, dinosaurs | All bodies of water | | |
| Selma | Seljordsormen | Lake monster | Lake Seljord, Telemark, Norway | |
| Steller's sea ape | Sea animal | Northern Pacific Ocean | | |
| Storsjö monster | Lake monster | Lake Storsjön, Jämtland, Sweden | |
· List › Terrestrial
British big cats
British big cats
Name
British big cats
Other names
Alien big cats (ABCs), phantom cats, mystery cats, English lions,
Beast of Bodmin, Beast of Exmoor
Description
Non-native, wild big cats
Purported location
Great Britain
Depiction
Chupacabra
Chupacabra
Name
Chupacabra
Other names
Chupacabras (Spanish for goat-sucker)
Description
Highly variable – typically falling into two categories: 1) bipedal humanoid with spiked spines (original description); 2) a quadrupedal canid
Purported location
Puerto Rico (originally),
South and Central America,
Southern North America
Depiction
Dover Demon
Dover Demon
Name
Dover Demon
Description
Approximately four-foot tall humanoid creature with glowing eyes
Purported location
Dover, Massachusetts, United States
Depiction
Fresno nightcrawler
Fresno nightcrawler
Name
Fresno nightcrawler
Description
Resembling a pair of white trousers, this creature reportedly has long, white legs immediately topped by a rounded head.
Purported location
Fresno, California, United States
Goatman
Goatman
Name
Goatman
Other names
Pope Lick Monster; Lake Worth monster; Satyr; Faun
Description
Humanoid creature with the torso and head of a man (with horns sprouting from the head) and the legs of a goat
Purported location
Prince George's County, Maryland; Louisville, Kentucky; Lake Worth, Texas
Katanga Snake
Katanga Snake
Name
Katanga Snake
Description
50-foot long snake
Purported location
Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp
Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp
Name
Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp
Other names
Lizard Man of Lee County
Description
Bipedal, humanoid reptilian creature
Purported location
Lee County, South Carolina, United States
Michigan Dogman
Michigan Dogman
Name
Michigan Dogman
Description
Humanoid dog
Purported location
Wexford County, Michigan, United States
Moa (surviving original populations)
Moa (surviving original populations)
Name
Moa (surviving original populations)
Other names
Dinornis robustus (South Island giant moa), Dinornis novaezelandiae (North Island giant moa), Anomalopteryx didiformis (Bush moa, little bush moa, or lesser moa)
Description
Medium to large flightless birds
Purported location
New Zealand
Depiction
Mongolian death worm
Mongolian death worm
Name
Mongolian death worm
Other names
Allghoi (or orghoi) khorkhoi
Description
Worm-like animal
Purported location
Gobi Desert (Asia)
Depiction
Nandi bear
Nandi bear
Name
Nandi bear
Other names
Chemosit, Kerit, Koddoelo, Ngoelo, Ngoloko, Duba
Description
Large, powerfully built carnivore
Purported location
Eastern Africa
Depiction
Phantom kangaroo
Phantom kangaroo
Name
Phantom kangaroo
Description
Kangaroos which appear outside of their normal range of Australia and New Guinea.
Purported location
Chicago, Illinois
Japan
United Kingdom
Sweden
Queensland Tiger
Queensland Tiger
Name
Queensland Tiger
Other names
Yarri
Description
Large feline
Purported location
Queensland, Australia
Thylacine (surviving original populations)
Thylacine (surviving original populations)
Name
Thylacine (surviving original populations)
Other names
Tasmanian tiger, Tasmanian wolf, Thylacinus cynocephalus
Description
Carnivorous marsupial
Purported location
Australia,
Papua New Guinea
Depiction
| Name | Other names | Description | Purported location | Depiction |
| British big cats | Alien big cats (ABCs), phantom cats, mystery cats, English lions, Beast of Bodmin, Beast of Exmoor | Non-native, wild big cats | Great Britain | |
| Chupacabra | Chupacabras (Spanish for goat-sucker) | Highly variable – typically falling into two categories: 1) bipedal humanoid with spiked spines (original description); 2) a quadrupedal canid | Puerto Rico (originally), South and Central America, Southern North America | |
| Dover Demon | Approximately four-foot tall humanoid creature with glowing eyes | Dover, Massachusetts, United States | | |
| Fresno nightcrawler | Resembling a pair of white trousers, this creature reportedly has long, white legs immediately topped by a rounded head. | Fresno, California, United States | ||
| Goatman | Pope Lick Monster; Lake Worth monster; Satyr; Faun | Humanoid creature with the torso and head of a man (with horns sprouting from the head) and the legs of a goat | Prince George's County, Maryland; Louisville, Kentucky; Lake Worth, Texas | |
| Katanga Snake | 50-foot long snake | Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo | ||
| Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp | Lizard Man of Lee County | Bipedal, humanoid reptilian creature | Lee County, South Carolina, United States | |
| Michigan Dogman | Humanoid dog | Wexford County, Michigan, United States | ||
| Moa (surviving original populations) | Dinornis robustus (South Island giant moa), Dinornis novaezelandiae (North Island giant moa), Anomalopteryx didiformis (Bush moa, little bush moa, or lesser moa) | Medium to large flightless birds | New Zealand | |
| Mongolian death worm | Allghoi (or orghoi) khorkhoi | Worm-like animal | Gobi Desert (Asia) | |
| Nandi bear | Chemosit, Kerit, Koddoelo, Ngoelo, Ngoloko, Duba | Large, powerfully built carnivore | Eastern Africa | |
| Phantom kangaroo | Kangaroos which appear outside of their normal range of Australia and New Guinea. | Chicago, Illinois Japan United Kingdom Sweden | ||
| Queensland Tiger | Yarri | Large feline | Queensland, Australia | |
| Thylacine (surviving original populations) | Tasmanian tiger, Tasmanian wolf, Thylacinus cynocephalus | Carnivorous marsupial | Australia, Papua New Guinea | |
· List › Terrestrial › Hominid
Almas
Almas
Name
Almas
Other names
Abnauayu, almasty, albasty, bekk-bok,
biabin-guli, golub-yavan, gul-biavan, auli-avan,
kaptar, kra-dhun, ksy-giik, ksy-gyik, ochokochi,
mirygdy, mulen, voita, wind-man, Zana
Description
Non-human ape or hominid
Purported location
Asia/Caucasus
Amomongo
Amomongo
Name
Amomongo
Other names
Orang Mawas, Impakta
Description
Ape or hominid
Purported location
Negros Occidental, Philippines
Bigfoot
Bigfoot
Name
Bigfoot
Other names
Sasquatch
Description
Large and hairy ape-like creature
Purported location
United States and Canada
Depiction
Bukit Timah Monkey Man
Bukit Timah Monkey Man
Name
Bukit Timah Monkey Man
Other names
BTM, BTMM
Description
Forest-dwelling hominid or other primate
Purported location
Singapore
Chatawa Monster
Chatawa Monster
Name
Chatawa Monster
Description
Large ape-like creature
Purported location
Pike County, Mississippi, United States
Chuchunya
Chuchunya
Name
Chuchunya
Description
Large hominid
Purported location
Russia
Fouke Monster
Fouke Monster
Name
Fouke Monster
Other names
Jonesville Monster, Southern Sasquatch, Boggy Creek Monster
Description
Hominid or other primate
Purported location
Arkansas, United States
Honey Island Swamp monster
Honey Island Swamp monster
Name
Honey Island Swamp monster
Other names
Letiche, Tainted Keitre
Description
Hominid or other primate
Purported location
Louisiana, United States
Kandahar Giant
Kandahar Giant
Name
Kandahar Giant
Description
13-foot tall, red-headed hominid with six fingers on each hand and two rows of teeth
Purported location
Kandahar, Afghanistan
Mapinguari
Mapinguari
Name
Mapinguari
Other names
Mapinguary
Description
Man-eating hominid with a mouth on its abdomen; sometimes thought to be a ground sloth
Purported location
Brazil
Depiction
Nittaewo
Nittaewo
Name
Nittaewo
Other names
Nittevo
Description
Small hominid
Purported location
Sri Lanka
Orang Pendek
Orang Pendek
Name
Orang Pendek
Description
Small hominid
Purported location
Sumatra, Indonesia
Depiction
Skunk ape
Skunk ape
Name
Skunk ape
Other names
Stink Ape, Myakka Ape, Myakka Skunk Ape
Description
Primate
Purported location
Florida, United States
Depiction
Yeren
Yeren
Name
Yeren
Other names
Yiren, Yeh Ren, Chinese Wildman
Description
Primate (possible hominin)
Purported location
China
Yeti
Yeti
Name
Yeti
Other names
Abominable Snowman
Description
Large and hairy human-like entity, various other descriptions
Purported location
Himalayas (Asia)
Yowie
Yowie
Name
Yowie
Description
Large and hairy human-like entity, various other descriptions
Purported location
Australia
Depiction
| Name | Other names | Description | Purported location | Depiction |
| Almas | Abnauayu, almasty, albasty, bekk-bok, biabin-guli, golub-yavan, gul-biavan, auli-avan, kaptar, kra-dhun, ksy-giik, ksy-gyik, ochokochi, mirygdy, mulen, voita, wind-man, Zana | Non-human ape or hominid | Asia/Caucasus | |
| Amomongo | Orang Mawas, Impakta | Ape or hominid | Negros Occidental, Philippines | |
| Bigfoot | Sasquatch | Large and hairy ape-like creature | United States and Canada | |
| Bukit Timah Monkey Man | BTM, BTMM | Forest-dwelling hominid or other primate | Singapore | |
| Chatawa Monster | Large ape-like creature | Pike County, Mississippi, United States | ||
| Chuchunya | Large hominid | Russia | ||
| Fouke Monster | Jonesville Monster, Southern Sasquatch, Boggy Creek Monster | Hominid or other primate | Arkansas, United States | |
| Honey Island Swamp monster | Letiche, Tainted Keitre | Hominid or other primate | Louisiana, United States | |
| Kandahar Giant | 13-foot tall, red-headed hominid with six fingers on each hand and two rows of teeth | Kandahar, Afghanistan | ||
| Mapinguari | Mapinguary | Man-eating hominid with a mouth on its abdomen; sometimes thought to be a ground sloth | Brazil | |
| Nittaewo | Nittevo | Small hominid | Sri Lanka | |
| Orang Pendek | Small hominid | Sumatra, Indonesia | | |
| Skunk ape | Stink Ape, Myakka Ape, Myakka Skunk Ape | Primate | Florida, United States | |
| Yeren | Yiren, Yeh Ren, Chinese Wildman | Primate (possible hominin) | China | |
| Yeti | Abominable Snowman | Large and hairy human-like entity, various other descriptions | Himalayas (Asia) | |
| Yowie | Large and hairy human-like entity, various other descriptions | Australia | |
· List › Flying
Flatwoods monster
Flatwoods monster
Name
Flatwoods monster
Other names
Braxie, Braxton County Monster, Phantom of Flatwoods
Description
A floating creature with a head that looks like a spade
Purported location
Flatwoods, West Virginia
Depiction
Jersey Devil
Jersey Devil
Name
Jersey Devil
Other names
Leeds Devil
Description
Winged, bipedal horse
Purported location
United States, mainly the South Jersey Pine Barrens, as well as other parts of New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania
Depiction
Kongamato
Kongamato
Name
Kongamato
Description
Living species of pterosaur
Purported location
Mwinilunga, Zambia;
Angola;
The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Depiction
Mothman
Mothman
Name
Mothman
Description
Winged bipedal
Purported location
Mason County, West Virginia, United States
Depiction
| Name | Other names | Description | Purported location | Depiction |
| Flatwoods monster | Braxie, Braxton County Monster, Phantom of Flatwoods | A floating creature with a head that looks like a spade | Flatwoods, West Virginia | |
| Jersey Devil | Leeds Devil | Winged, bipedal horse | United States, mainly the South Jersey Pine Barrens, as well as other parts of New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania | |
| Kongamato | Living species of pterosaur | Mwinilunga, Zambia; Angola; The Democratic Republic of the Congo | | |
| Mothman | Winged bipedal | Mason County, West Virginia, United States | |
References
- Otodus is the currently accepted genus name for megalodon. Older sources refer to the genus as Carcharodon, Carcharocles
- There is an ongoing de-extinction project to revive the bush moa through genome editing, this entry refers to the possib
- There is an ongoing project to revive the species through genome editing, this entry refers to the unconfirmed sightings
- Mullis (2021: 185): "Eschewing the rigors of science, cryptozoologists publish for a popular audience rather than for ex
- Loxton & Prothero (2013: 332): "Whatever the romantic appeal of monster mysteries, cryptozoology as it exists today is u
- Church (2009: 251–252): "Cryptozoology has acquired a bad reputation as a pseudoscience [...] Until detailed, methodical
- Roesch & Moore (2002: 71–78): "Pointing to this rampant speculation and ignorance of established scientific theories in
- Scientific Americanhttps://michaelshermer.com/sciam-columns/show-me-the-body/
- Borderlandshttps://books.google.com/books?id=g9UtPwAACAAJ
- Simpson, George Gaylord (1984). "Mammals and Cryptozoology". Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. Vol. 128
- ScienceAlerthttps://www.sciencealert.com/bigfoot-has-a-very-simple-explanation-scientist-says
- Loxton & Prothero (2013: 31-32)
- ABC Canary Islandshttps://www.abc.es/espana/canarias/abci-misterioso-viaje-anguilas-desde-triangulo-bermudas-barrancos-canarios-201610072012_noticia.html?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.es%2Fespana%2Fcanarias%2Fabci-misterioso-viaje-anguilas-desde-triangulo-bermudas-barrancos-canarios-201610072012_noticia.html%3Fref%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.es%2Fespana%2Fcanarias%2Fabci-misterioso-viaje-anguilas-desde-triangulo-bermudas-barrancos-canarios-201610072012_noticia.html
- Smithsonian Magazinehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/could-citizens-of-this-indiana-town-have-seen-a-500-pound-turtle-180984659/
- WANEhttps://www.wane.com/news/churubusco-lake-home-to-the-legendary-beast-of-busco-is-on-the-market/
- Bunyip. (2018). Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, 1;
- Loxton & Prothero 2013, pp. 261–295.
- The Skeptic Encyclopedia of Pseudosciencehttps://books.google.com/books?id=Gr4snwg7iaEC&pg=PA72
- Mörzer Bruyns, W. F. J. (1971). Field guide of whales and dolphins. Rivonverhandeling. Tor. pp. 124–125. ISBN 978-90-700
- "Cetaceans with two dorsal fins"https://web.archive.org/web/20230413102436/https://www.aquaticmammalsjournal.org/share/AquaticMammalsIssueArchives/1991/Aquatic_Mammals_17_1/17.1Raynal.pdf