Are Cryptids Real?

I am reading the second book in a row now that mentions cryptids. I have never heard of that word before and now am curious. The first book was “Unatural Death” by Patricia Cornell and the book I am currently reading is “Death in the Dark Woods” by Annalise Ryan. In both books the cryptids are seen as aggressive and possibly human killers. Whenever I have ever heard of Bigfoot, the Yeti, or Sasquatch, I never heard of them being aggressive towards people. I am thinking of that comedy with Chevy Chase, Harry and the Hendersons. At the same time, how many people disappear into the wilderness every year?

Via Wikipedia - “Cryptids are animals that cryptozoologists believe may exist somewhere in the wild, but whose present existence is disputed or unsubstantiated by science. Cryptozoology is a pseudoscience, which primarily looks at anecdotal stories, and other claims rejected by the scientific community. While biologists regularly identify new species following established scientific methodology, crptozoologists focus on entities mentioned in the folklore record and rumor. Entities that may be considered cryptids by cryptozoologists include Bigfoot, Yeti, the chupacbra, the Jersey Devil, and the Loch Ness Monster.”

The first article on Google re:  cryptids was the Georgia “Altie.” The Altamaha-ha (or Altie) is a legendary creature that is said to inhabit the small streams near the Altmaha River in southeastern Georgia. 

Some of the oldest stories of cryptids were passed down from the Cherokeeand are still being told in Central and Southern Appalachia. The Applachians are home to many mysterious and unexplained creatures. White thang is one, said to be tall with long white hair and sharp claws.

On the State of New Jersey Website under the Pinelands Commision they have this to say under Jersey Devil - “The Jersey Devil is said to roam the New Jersey Pinelands and many people have told others of scary encounters on dark nights in the wilderness of the Pines. It’s screams are said to be quite chilling to the spine.” 

Creatures like that have always interested me, I have always loved dragons. I remember a book we had when I was young on mythical creatures and loved it so much. Loch Ness is another favorite of mine. I need to do more research. I haven’t thought about the creatures in a long time. Maybe its time to look again, why nor? Research is fun and the older I get the more into history I am. 

Ok that’s it for now, I wonder if New York has their own cryptid? I will have to look that up.