Guide to Cryptids. Seven Categories of Cryptids

Actually, this is the classification of cryptid sightings (thoughtforms), based on an obvious and natural criterion: how likely the one in question can be of a real, physical creature in flesh and blood. From most likely to least likely, obviously.

Category I is comprised of Ex-Cryptids (recently discovered animals that were cryptids for decades and even centuries). The list of those discovered in XX century is impressive: coelacanth, bondegezou, chacoan peccary, Congo peacock, giant forest hog, giant panda, Komodo dragon, kouprey, megamouth shark, mountain gorilla, mountain nyala, okapi, pygmy hippopotamus, saola…

Category II is comprised of credible sightings (sightings of cryptids that are likely to be discovered in flesh and blood). The list is actually quite long: ahool, beast of 'Busco, blue and black tigers, buru, giant anaconda, giant monkey, giant octopus, giant pike, giant salamander. giant turtles, kongamato, kraken, lusca, MacFarlane's Bear, Marozi, Mngwa and several other creatures.

Category III is comprised of so-called “living fossils” and other extinct animals (yes, they are really extinct – so the chances of encountering them in flesh and blood are exactly zero).

Why zero? Because these species got extinct because they failed to adapt to radical changes in their environment – so the chances of their subspecies adapting without radically changing are… well, zilch.

Category IV (“Not in Flesh and Blood”) is comprised of creatures whose descriptions might look realistic but who are not. Not realistic because in order to exist, the animal has to have close relative among existing animals (all ex-cryptids do). In other words, be an integral part of the system of “animal kingdom” … and all creatures in this category are well outside it.

Category V is comprised of “Wild Men” (intermediate beings between an ape and Homo Sapiens). These creatures are not in flesh and blood because all such intermediate beings lost competition to humans and thus became extinct. Mother Nature is ruthless: losers become extinct – no exception.

Category VI is comprised of Demonic Cryptids (demons in animal form such as water kelpie) and Category VII – of purely mythological animals (e.g., werewolves). The difference is that the former might exist (in intangible, spiritual form) while the latter are pure figments of human imagination.