Real life examples of cryptids and how they were actually discovered, then researched, and then verified as real creatures.


Many animals, once among the cryptid creatures, are now part of the scientific community of recognized animals.  And these may or may not even include animals who were falsely thought to be extinct, but who actually weren’t.  


Okapi  –  Despite descriptions from explorers and even skins, Western science rejected the existence of such a creature, viewing it as nothing more than a fantastical chimera of real animals.  This changed in 1901 when Sir Harry Johnston, the British governor of Uganda, obtained pieces of striped skin and even a skull of the legendary beast. Through this evidence and the eventual capture of a live specimen, the animal now known as the okapi (okapia johnstoni) was recognized by mainstream science. 

Gorilla

Kraken

Platypus – a venomous, egg-laying mammal with a duck bill and beaver tail. Many prominent British scientists deemed it a hoax when presented with a sketch and pelt, in 1798. Even when offered a corpse, scholars suspected that it was an elaborate, sewn-together fraud.

Hogzilla – giant hogs or huge wild boars.

Australia – the country

Giant squid

Sea serpent – Oarfish – first time ever filmed in 2001.