Hidden Animals

In hindsight, the 2008 Bigfoot hoax in Georgia seemed to many a fairly obvious fraud. But the fact is, sightings of giant "ape-men" occur on every inhabited continent, and if we never explored the possible existence of these mysterious creatures, however fantastic, we might never have discovered any number of real species.

A global survey of unknown creatures reported by thousands of eyewitnesses-creatures that have either been verified, refuted, or are still being examined by scientific researchers.

A global survey of unknown creatures reported by thousands of eyewitnesses—creatures that have either been verified, refuted, or are still being examined by scientific researchers.

Hidden Animals: A Field Guide to Batsquatch, Chupacabra, and Other Elusive Creatures welcomes readers into the fascinating world of cryptozoology—the scientific pursuit of legendary creatures that sometimes reveals hoaxes and sometimes identifies real, previously unknown species. Compiled by Michael Newton, author of the acclaimed Encyclopedia of Cryptozoology, it is the first comprehensive guide covering the crossroads of zoology and folklore written for both the young and the young at heart.

Organized by type of creature type, such as giant animals, missing links, and living fossils, Hidden Animals surveys various beings reported and pursued worldwide from ancient times to the present, in every corner of the globe. In the process, it relates classic myths and legends to identified flesh-and-blood animals. Readers will be captivated by both the scientific evidence supporting the existence of specific cryptids and the exposure of notorious frauds or cases of mistaken identity.

• Nearly 100 entries on the full range of cryptids, organized into categories of types of animals
• Primary sources, including eyewitness accounts of sightings of undocumented creatures
• Sketches of reported hidden animals and photographs of real species uncovered in the pursuit of cryptids
• A "Who's Who" in cryptozoology with brief biographies of major figures in the field
• A wide-ranging bibliography of print and online resources for further exploration
• A comprehensive index of animals (real and speculative), people, places, and discoveries