In cryptozoology , a cryptid (from the Greek "κρύπτω" (krypto) meaning "hide") is a creature or plant whose existence has been suggested but is unrecognized by scientific consensus and often regarded as highly unlikely.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptid
Source for the next activity: : Great Site - http://www.smashinglists.com/10-most-famous-cryptids
I. Match some famous cryptids with their description:
1. Mothman
2. Giant Anaconda
3. Yeti
4. Chupacabra
5. Loch Ness Monster
6. Lycanthrope
7. Mermaid
8. Dragons
9. Sasquatch
( ) Bigfoot is an ape-like creature that inhabits forests, mainly in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. Bigfoot is usually described as a large, hairy, bipedal humanoid.
( ) A female human head and torso and the tail of a fish. They have been discussed since at least 5000 BC. Their origins are believed to be from the Great Queen Atargatis, who loved a mortal shepherd and unintentionally killed him. Ashamed, she jumped into a lake to take the form of a fish, but the waters would not conceal her divine beauty. Thereafter, she took the form of a human above the waist, fish below.
( ) The most frequent speculation is that the creature represents a line of long-surviving plesiosaurs. It is similar to other supposed monsters in Scotland and elsewhere, though its description varies. Popular interest and belief in the animal has fluctuated since it was brought to the world’s attention in 1933. It is regarded by scientists as a modern-day myth, and explain sightings as wishful thinking.
( ) The Abominable Snowman mythological humanoid creature said to inhabit the Himalayan region of Pakistan and Nepal. The scientific community largely regards the it as a legend, yet it remains one of the most famous creatures of cryptozoology. It is tall, bipedal creature covered with long white hair and wore no clothes. He had an interesting feature of changing his hair colour in sunlight to fox red.
( ) They are usually shown in modern times with a body like a huge lizard, or a snake with two pairs of lizard-type legs, and able to emit fire from their mouths.
() It is a legendary cryptid rumored to inhabit parts of the Americas. It is associated more recently with sightings of an allegedly unknown animal in Puerto Rico (where these sightings were first reported), Mexico, and the United States, especially in the latter’s Latin American communities. The name comes from the animal’s reported habit of attacking and drinking the blood of livestock, especially goats. is a reptile-like being, appearing to have greenish-gray skin and sharp spines.
( ) Reports date back as far as the discovery of South America when sightings of this cryptid upwards of 50 meters (150 feet) began to circulate amongst colonists and the topic has been a subject of debate ever since among cryptozoologists and zoologists.
( ) It is a creature reportedly seen in the Point Pleasant area of West Virginia from November 12, 1966, to December 1967. Most observers describe the it as a man-sized creature with large reflective red eyes and large wings. The creature was sometimes reported as having no head, with its eyes set into its chest. It has an unusual shriek that can be heard from a mile away.
( ) A werewolf is a cryptid with the ability to shape shift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic wolf-like creature, either purposely, by being bitten or scratched by another werewolf, or after being placed under a curse. This transformation is often associated with the appearance of the full moon. Werewolves are often attributed super-human strength and senses, far beyond those of both wolves or men.
Answer key: 9, 7, 5, 3, 8, 4, 2, 1, 6
http://www.loch-ness-monster-nessieland.com/loch-ness-monster-facts.shtml
II. Talk to a friend:
1. Do you know any other cryptids or mythological creatures from your cultures that people claim to have seen it?
2. Why do people believe in cryptids?
3. What do you know about the Loch Ness Monster?
4. Why do people visit Loch Ness so often? Do these people believe it actually exists?
III. Watch the movie segment and discuss the questions that follow.
1. How does the segment explain the origin of the Loch Ness Monster?
2. How different is this animal if compared to the description in exercise I?
3. How far fetched is this story?
4. Read the facts below believers claim to be true about the monster. What can be true about these facts?
The first recorded sighting of the Loch Ness Monster was in 565 AD by St Columba. In fact St Columba saw the monster twice in that year. The monster was first seen in the River Ness before becoming more closely associated with the loch. The next reference to the
monster was in 1933 when Mr and Mrs Spicer reported seeing a large
animal crossing the road in front of their car. It is a type of carnivorous aquatic, usually marine, reptile, and
cannot be a mammal as it does not have to breathe air. If it needed to
surface in order to breath air it would most probably have been seen by
many before now. In 1976 an attempt was made to lure Nessie to the surface of the
water by throwing bacon out of a hot air balloon on to the loch below.
For reasons unknown she did not appear.
5. Is it fair that people who live in that region make money out of this imaginary cryptid? Why?
6. Why do so many people visit Loch Ness every year?
