Cryptozoology and the Classification of Cryptids

Cryptozoology is the field of study given to animals and other creatures that science has yet to prove actually exist. Like its older cousin zoology, cryptozoology has a methodology of classification. Cryptids are animals that are thought to have once existed and gone extinct, or animals whose existence can be hypothesized based on anecdotal evidence. The word to describe these animals, cryptids, was originated by John Wall in 1983.

There are four distinct subdivisions into which cryptids can be classified.

1. Unidentified animals. These are animals that cannot be classified in conjunction with already existing methodologies. This is because they diverge so sharply from any animal that is already known to exist. For instance, even though Bigfoot or Sasquatch may resemble a giant ape in some ways, because it also has human characteristics not consistent with hairier primates, or Robin Williams for that matter, it is listed under this category. At the same time, the infamous half-man, half-bat Mothman would fall under this category of cryptid precisely because it bears no resemblance to any existing creature.
2. Potentially extinct animals.
   
   This type of cryptid is an animal or organism that hasn't yet been proven to exist, but is thought to have gone extinct due to some evidence of its primal existence.
3. This category is reserved for cryptids that are almost exactly identical in characteristics to contemporary animals, but have a one or two significant differences. This is the location for cryptids that are the result of unexpected genetic mutations or a bizarre combination of interspecies dating.
   
   Napoleon Dynamite's favorite animal the liger is a good example of an animal that would have fit under this category if all we had were anecdotal reports from indigenous peoples.
4. Animals that are known to exist in one geographic region, but have never been spotted in a full population in another fall under this category.