It is researching evidence that is thought to substantiate the existence of animals that are thought to be extinct, to only appear hypothetically in myths and legends, or are geographically out of place.
Hidden Animal Knowledge
This branch, of what many consider 'pseudoscience', involves the search for and study of evidence relating to animals that are generally considered nonexistent.
They can be classified as nonexistent, as they are either extinct (no longer exists), thought to be the stuff of myths and legends, or are not thought to exist in the locations where they, or evidence of them, is found.
A 'cryptid' is the term given to these animals.
Cryptids of Folklore
Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, is believed to be an ape-like creature inhabiting the forests of North America. The wider scientific community put sightings down to frauds or a misidentification of common animals.
Loch Ness Monster, a large lake monster said to inhabit Loch Ness, Scotland. Many believe 'Nessie' to be a representative of a long lasting line of plesiosaurs, thought to have gone extinct some 60 million years ago.
Chupacabra, the goat sucker. This creature mainly reported in the Americas (but not exclusively) feeds off the blood of livestock. It is described commonly as a large creature with a row of spines running along is back and down to its tail. However, some descriptions wildly vary. Considered to be folklore.
There are many, many more cryptids out there, from all parts of the world. Some of them quite incredible sounding.
Cryptids that are Real
The Komodo Dragon was thought to be a mythological creature, known as the giant monitor. A giant land lizard with a 'poisonous' bite sounded crazy, but in 1912 proof was provided of their existence and the new species was documented.
It was essentially hunted out of existence in order to collect a bounty, as they were thought to be responsible for the killing of livestock. The government would pay a certain price per head in order to control the numbers. Numbers were ‘controlled' until there were no numbers left.
However, there have been many, many reports of Thylacines in the Tasmanian Wild, but no actual, tangible, accepted proof. There are those who believe that certain businesses are baiting and secretly killing Thylacine, in order to prevent certain tracts of landscape from being classified as sanctuaries, and thus freezing certain business in those areas (clearing, felling and logging, exploratory drilling etc etc).
There is always room for the new discovery of animals and other creatures, as there are many new additions to the books every year. It is quite rare for larger animals to be discovered, but it still happens.
Do you have a cryptid reported in your local area?