Difference between revisions of "Cryptozoology"
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| − | '''[[Cryptozoology]]''' is the attempt to find scientific proof of the existence of animals known only through rumors, folk tales, and old explorers' accounts, and to study them in a scientific way. The word is derived from the Greek root ''crypto-,'' hidden, and ''zoology,'' the study of animals. The term was coined in the 1950s by French zoologist Bernard Heuvelmans<ref>Pincock, Stephen (2004) [http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/15030/ Tales from the cryptozoologists], ''The Scientist,'' 2004, 18(21):12</ref> These animals are known as [[cryptid]]s. Familiar examples include the [[Loch Ness Monster]], and a man-like creature or creatures variously known as the Abominable Snowman, the Yeti, Bigfoot, or Sasquatch. | + | '''[[Cryptozoology]]''' is the attempt to find scientific proof of the existence of animals known only through rumors, folk tales, and old explorers' accounts, and to study them in a scientific way. The word is derived from the Greek root ''crypto-,'' hidden, and ''zoology,'' the study of animals. The term was coined in the 1950s by French zoologist Bernard Heuvelmans<ref>Pincock, Stephen (2004) [http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/15030/ Tales from the cryptozoologists], ''The Scientist,'' 2004, 18(21):12</ref>. However, in his own book, ''In the Wake of Sea Serpents'', Huevelmans credits the term to the Scottish explorer and adventurer Ivan T. Sanderson. These animals are known as [[cryptid]]s. Familiar examples include the [[Loch Ness Monster]], and a man-like creature or creatures variously known as the Abominable Snowman, the Yeti, Bigfoot, or Sasquatch. |
The field of cryptozoology is closely associated with Heuvelmans, who authored a 1955 book ''Sur la piste des bêtes ignorées'' (On the Track of Unknown Animals) and with the International Society for Cryptozoology (ISC) <ref>The name is variously stated as "International Society for Cryptozoology," "International Society of Cryptozoology," and "International Society of Cryptozoologists."</ref> which he founded in 1982;<ref>McCarthy, Paul (1993), [http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/15925/ Cryptozoologists: An Endangered Species], ''The Scientist'' 1993, 7(1):1</ref> The society published a refereed journal, ''Cryptozoology : interdisciplinary journal of the International Society of Cryptozoology,'' from 1982 until, apparently, 1996<ref>Harvard Library online catalog listing shows "Status: Currently received; | The field of cryptozoology is closely associated with Heuvelmans, who authored a 1955 book ''Sur la piste des bêtes ignorées'' (On the Track of Unknown Animals) and with the International Society for Cryptozoology (ISC) <ref>The name is variously stated as "International Society for Cryptozoology," "International Society of Cryptozoology," and "International Society of Cryptozoologists."</ref> which he founded in 1982;<ref>McCarthy, Paul (1993), [http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/15925/ Cryptozoologists: An Endangered Species], ''The Scientist'' 1993, 7(1):1</ref> The society published a refereed journal, ''Cryptozoology : interdisciplinary journal of the International Society of Cryptozoology,'' from 1982 until, apparently, 1996<ref>Harvard Library online catalog listing shows "Status: Currently received; | ||
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An article on an active cryptozoology website acknowledges that "By definition, cryptozoology is the study of hidden or unknown animals. Something that should also be noted is the fact that it is not recognized by the scientific community as a science. There are no degrees in it, and therefore, there is no such thing as a cryptozoologist." He defends it as "the search for truth," but laments the amateurishness and arrogance that, he feels, make cryptozoology "more of a hobby than it will ever be a science."ref>Bates, J. P. [http://www.cryptozoology.com/articles/wic.php What is Cryptozoology?]</ref> | An article on an active cryptozoology website acknowledges that "By definition, cryptozoology is the study of hidden or unknown animals. Something that should also be noted is the fact that it is not recognized by the scientific community as a science. There are no degrees in it, and therefore, there is no such thing as a cryptozoologist." He defends it as "the search for truth," but laments the amateurishness and arrogance that, he feels, make cryptozoology "more of a hobby than it will ever be a science."ref>Bates, J. P. [http://www.cryptozoology.com/articles/wic.php What is Cryptozoology?]</ref> | ||
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| + | ==Cryptobotany== | ||
| + | A similiar science to cryptozoology is cryptobotany, which is the science of finding plants believed to be extinct or from myths. | ||
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==Notes and references== | ==Notes and references== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
[[category:Biology]] | [[category:Biology]] | ||
Revision as of 23:25, March 26, 2007
Cryptozoology is the attempt to find scientific proof of the existence of animals known only through rumors, folk tales, and old explorers' accounts, and to study them in a scientific way. The word is derived from the Greek root crypto-, hidden, and zoology, the study of animals. The term was coined in the 1950s by French zoologist Bernard Heuvelmans[1]. However, in his own book, In the Wake of Sea Serpents, Huevelmans credits the term to the Scottish explorer and adventurer Ivan T. Sanderson. These animals are known as cryptids. Familiar examples include the Loch Ness Monster, and a man-like creature or creatures variously known as the Abominable Snowman, the Yeti, Bigfoot, or Sasquatch.
The field of cryptozoology is closely associated with Heuvelmans, who authored a 1955 book Sur la piste des bêtes ignorées (On the Track of Unknown Animals) and with the International Society for Cryptozoology (ISC) [2] which he founded in 1982;[3] The society published a refereed journal, Cryptozoology : interdisciplinary journal of the International Society of Cryptozoology, from 1982 until, apparently, 1996[4] As of 2007, the ISC appears to be defunct.[5]
An article on an active cryptozoology website acknowledges that "By definition, cryptozoology is the study of hidden or unknown animals. Something that should also be noted is the fact that it is not recognized by the scientific community as a science. There are no degrees in it, and therefore, there is no such thing as a cryptozoologist." He defends it as "the search for truth," but laments the amateurishness and arrogance that, he feels, make cryptozoology "more of a hobby than it will ever be a science."ref>Bates, J. P. What is Cryptozoology?</ref>
Cryptobotany
A similiar science to cryptozoology is cryptobotany, which is the science of finding plants believed to be extinct or from myths.
Notes and references
- ↑ Pincock, Stephen (2004) Tales from the cryptozoologists, The Scientist, 2004, 18(21):12
- ↑ The name is variously stated as "International Society for Cryptozoology," "International Society of Cryptozoology," and "International Society of Cryptozoologists."
- ↑ McCarthy, Paul (1993), Cryptozoologists: An Endangered Species, The Scientist 1993, 7(1):1
- ↑ Harvard Library online catalog listing shows "Status: Currently received; Holdings v.1-12(1982-1993/1996).
- ↑ archive.org's archives of www.internationalsocietyofcryptozoology.org show a website as operating on November 30, 2005 and replaced by a hosting service's placeholder on December 10, 2005.