Guide to Cryptids. Four Types of Cryptids

By definition, a cryptid is an animal or a “wild man” (intermediate species between an ape and Homo sapiens) whose existent has not been proven beyond the reasonable doubt. In other words, there is no compelling evidence that it exists.

What constitutes such evidence? The best evidence is, obviously, the captured live specimen followed by a recently deceased body, skeleton, bone(s) and anybody part from which a DNA can be extracted. DNA that will prove beyond the reasonable doubt that we are dealing with new animal species.

There is nothing from this list for any cryptid (that’s exactly why it is called a cryptid) – only reports of sighting(s) of the creature in question. Hence, for now, a cryptid is only a thoughtform that may or may not exist in flesh and blood.

The first type of a cryptid are the ones that do (and one day – hopefully – will be officially discovered by the science of zoology). In other words, one of these days a live specimen will be captured (or another compelling evidence will be obtained).

The second type (obviously) are the ones that do not. In other words, those that are myths. Legends. Based on either honest delusions (illusions, misidentifications) or hoaxes perpetrated for money or fame (or both).

The third type are apparitions. Ghosts. Spirits. Specters. Phantoms. Intangible spiritual entities in animal form (they look like animals – but are not animals in flesh and blood).

And, finally, the fourth type. The most interesting ones (IMHO). Ultraterrestrial cryptids. Like apparitions, these are intangible spiritual entities; but, unlike apparitions, these are visitors not from the invisible, intangible spiritual world – but from parallel universe(s). Thus, these cryptids are fundamentally identical to UFOs (only look differently) … if you accept the interdimensional UFO hypothesis (many prominent ufologists do).

Type I cryptids are studied by scientific cryptozoology; Type II – by mythological (branch of mythology and folklore studies that deals with cryptid myths); Type III – by occult cryptozoology; and Type IV – by ultraterrestrial cryptozoology.

Hence, the fundamental objective of cryptozoology in general is (1) study the thoughtform in question – reports, environment and circumstances of its alleged sightings; (2) identify the type that the entity in question belongs to; and (3) further study this entity using the tools and methods of the appropriate branch of cryptozoology.