Is it crypto? I find myself asking that quite a lot these days. I work with both hauntings phenomena and cryptozoology and sometimes it is very hard to figure out which is which.
One of my current cases involves a First Nations community in Ontario. Several things have been reported, some of which are clearly ghostly in nature. There are a couple, however, that test my theories from the very beginning. One is a report of “little people”. We’re not talking about just one or two small-ish folks. The report is a virtual colony of small humanoids that behave in very human fashion. They aren’t gnomes, or fairies, or any of the other typical “wee folk”, just pint sized humans. The reports of this colony go back over 75 years! Clearly crypto? Not so fast. How would we know? It would seem that the litmus test for cryptozoology would be physical evidence. If we could find a body, or some other sorts of artifacts, then perhaps this would put this solidly in the crypto category. Sasquatch, however, has left us no such definitive proof and we still place him in this realm.
Another report in this area is that of a man with hooved feet. He walks upright and looks into windows. He also reportedly leaves tracks. Does his ability to alter the ground in this way make him a cryptid? And what about “shape shifters”?
Generally, for most cryptozoologists, it comes down to a belief system. Many think that the idea of ghosts is ridiculous, yet firmly believe in Bessie or the Loch Ness Monster. Since cryptozoology is generally more of a science based endeavor, skeptics are more likely to lean toward acceptance. As the research into hauntings continues to blossom, however, more and more scientific method and results are being reported by investigators.
I struggle with this classification system quite a lot with the reports of Mothman specifically. In this case, there are not only elements of cryptozoology and hauntings, but also strong evidence of UFO involvement. Should we pick a path and stick to it or would the subject be better served by a team (or a person) of all three specialties?
I’m greatly interested in your feedback on this. What makes a cryptid a cryptid?