Cryptozoology, real life can be stranger then fiction

          I know what many of you are saying "What the heck is cryptozoology?" This definition will should help explain.

Cryptozoology: from Greek kruptos "hidden" and zoology; which literally means "study of hidden animals".

          Cryptids are basically any animal not yet accepted by the scientific world to currently exist. A cryptid can be anything from animals that were thought to have been extinct, animals known only to residents of the area (such as the okapi), mythology creatures, and of course your good old fashioned hoaxes.

          I think that cryptozoology some times gets a bad rap which I find to be a shame. Many of the animals we now know today were once unknown to science. If it wasn't for inhabitants telling scientists about the "strange" animals that they have seen, in many cases known to them for many generations, how many countless animals would still be unknown. Also, don't think for a moment that there are no more animals left in the world to find becuase new animals are being found all the time. If you don't believe me just do a google search or check out the newly discovered monkey and bird found in the Americas.

          I believe it is always a good idea not to ever be neither to open or closed minded. Don't just take other's word for things, do you own research come to your own conclusions. But on the same token don't just dismiss something completely because you haven't experienced it yourself. Science is for ever discovering new things that sometimes even changes long excepted ideas. Sometimes real life turns out to be much stranger then fiction.

          Here are some links that found that I would like to share with you.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cryptids

http://www.newanimal.org/

http://strangeark.com/checklist/guide.html

          Do you have a "strange" animal story, photo, video, or favorite link that you would like to share please post it in the comments section below.

          Whether fake or real, new to science or once thought to be extincted cryptids are a fascinating subject that will continue to intrigue. Keep your camera with you at all times because who knows you may discover something unexpected.