The 6 Most Famous Cryptids, and Where You May Find Them

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Written by Marisa Wilson

Updated: September 10, 2023

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Famous cryptids have been the subject of much speculation throughout history. A cryptid is a hypothetical creature whose existence is the subject of speculation. This could be anything from a living dinosaur to the Mothman. Others, like the Yeti, are more mysterious, with no clear explanation for their existence. In this post, you’ll find out everything you need to know about these cryptids and where you may catch a sighting. 

Whether or not cryptids exist is still up for debate, but one thing is for sure: some of us want to believe. So let’s find out where we might be able to catch a glimpse of these elusive creatures!

Infographic of 6 Most Famous Cryptids
A cryptid is defined as an animal people claim is real but has never been proven to exist.

1. The Mothman 

Some say the Mothman is a harbinger of death.

©iStock.com/estt

It was a mysterious and stormy night when the Mothman first appeared. Witnesses say that the creature was nearly 7 feet tall, with wings that spanned 10 feet or more. Its eyes were glowing red and had a strange, almost human-like face. Some say the Mothman is a harbinger of death, and they believe that its appearance foreshadowed the collapse of the Silver Bridge.

On December 15, 1967, the Silver Bridge that connects West Virginia to Ohio collapsed without warning. Dozens of cars plunged into the frigid waters of the Ohio River, killing 46 people. 

Many believe that the Mothman’s warnings went unheeded and that the creature’s appearance was responsible for the tragedy. Whether you believe in the winged cryptid or not, one thing is certain — the collapse of the Silver Bridge remains one of the deadliest bridge failures in U.S. history.

Since then, the Mothman has been associated with other disasters, including the 9/11 attacks and the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Although there haven’t been confirmed sightings of the Mothman in recent years, some believe it continues to lurk in the shadows of Point Pleasant, waiting to unleash terror on those who cross its path.

2. Loch Ness Monster

loch ness monster floating in a lake

Many people believe that the Loch Ness Monster is a plesiosaur.

©iStock.com/Yulia Bogomolova

For centuries, people have been fascinated with stories of this giant creature living in the depths of Loch Ness in Scotland. It is often described as a large, serpentine creature with a long neck. 

The first sighting of the Loch Ness Monster was in 565 AD, when Saint Columba is said to have seen a creature in the water. Since then, there have been many more sightings of the Loch Ness Monster, but its existence has never been proven.  

Some believe the Loch Ness Monster is a prehistoric marine reptile known as the plesiosaur, which went extinct millions of years ago. Others consider it a hoax or that it is simply a large fish or turtle. Regardless of what it may or may not be, the Loch Ness Monster remains one of the world’s most fascinating legends.

Whatever the Loch Ness Monster really is, it has become an essential part of Scottish folklore and continues to capture the imagination of people all over the world.

3. Bigfoot

Bigfoot standing at the crest of a hill

Bigfoot, or the Sasquatch, is a huge ape-like creature that purportedly inhabits the forests of North America.

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A giant, hairy, ape-like creature, Bigfoot is said to inhabit North America’s forests. It is timid and doesn’t like to be seen by humans. People have claimed to see Bigfoot for years, but have never come forward with conclusive evidence. 

Some scientists believe this famous cryptid is a type of undiscovered primate, while others think it is nothing more than a legend. However, the true identity of this creature remains unknown. 

Many people have searched for Bigfoot, but its exact location remains a mystery. Some believe this creature inhabits the dense forests of the Pacific Northwest, while others think it may roam the mountains of California or the swamps of Louisiana

Wherever Bigfoot may be hiding, it has managed to evade capture for centuries. One day, someone will hopefully solve the mystery of its whereabouts. Until then, the search for this elusive creature continues.

4. Yeti

Some people believe yetis are bear-like animals, while others think they are a type of ape.

©iStock.com/Warpaintcobra

The yeti, or Abominable Snowman, is a mythical creature that is said to inhabit the Himalayan mountains. While there have been many sightings of yetis over the years, no one has been able to provide conclusive proof of their existence. They have been described as being large, bipedal creatures covered with white, brown, gray, or white hair, and possessing big, sharp teeth. Some people believe that yetis are bear-like animals, while others believe that they are a type of ape. 

The first reported yeti sighting was in 1832 when British explorer B.H. Hodgson came across strange tracks in the snow while trekking through the Himalayas. Since then, there have been countless other yeti sightings, but none more famous than the one reported by mountaineer Reinhold Messner in 1986. Messner claimed to have seen a yeti on two separate occasions while climbing Mount Everest, and his account helped fuel public interest in these elusive creatures.

Whatever their true identity, yetis continue to fascinate people from all over the world. Reports of yeti sightings have come from all various locations, including Tibet, Nepal, and even the United States. We may never know if yetis really exist, but there is no doubt that they have captured our imaginations like the most famous cryptids. Is there anything disappointing about a fantastic story? 

5. Chupacabra

3D rendering of Chupacabra standing on rocks

The Chupacabra, or goat sucker, is said to be a blood-sucking predator that attacks livestock.

©iStock.com/Daniel Eskridge

Chupacabra is a creature believed to inhabit parts of the Americas. It is said to be a blood-sucking predator that drains its victims of blood. Its name is from the Spanish words “chupar” (to suck) and “cabra” (goat). It’s associated with some real-life animal attacks and has been described as a reptile-like or dog-like creature with a row of spines or quills running down its back.

The first sighting of the Chupacabra was in Puerto Rico in 1995, when farmers began reporting the mysterious deaths of their livestock. The animals were found with puncture wounds on their necks and bodies and drained of blood.

There have been many sightings of the Chupacabra, but no hard evidence exists. Some believe the Chupacabra, one of the famous cryptids, is a product of folklore, while others believe it is a real creature that hasn’t been discovered by science. For those curious minds always on the search for pushing the boundaries of what is considered ordinary reality, your best chance of seeing this cryptid is in Texas

6. Wendigo

Wendigo growling exposing their sharp teeth

Wendigo is a terrifying mythical creature that looks like a half-human and half deer.

©andryuha1981/Shutterstock.com

A fearsome creature, Wendigo is said to haunt the forests of North America. They have been often described as tall and thin, with long arms, sharp claws. Its face is believed to be half-human, half-deer, and their eyes glow red in the darkness. Wendigo is said to be incredibly fast and strong, and can kill with just a glance. 

Unlike some of the most famous cryptids, Wendigo’s favorite food is human flesh. It’s thought they wait patiently for their prey to wander into the forest before attacking. People believe Wendigo is notoriously difficult to kill, as they are immune to bullets and fire. The only way to kill this creature should it exist and ever cross your path is to cut off its head and burn its body. 

Wendigo is said to be attracted to areas with a lot of violence or death. This terrifying cryptid is one you may hope is just a scary story. There have been many reports of its sightings over the years. However, it is difficult to say whether or not they exist. 

Summary of 6 Most Famous Cryptids, and Where You May Find Them

Here’s a recap of the six most well-known animals claimed to exist but never proven to be real that we took a look at.

NumberCryptidPossible AppearanceBeliefs About ItPossible Location
1The Mothman Nearly 7 feet tall, with 10-feet wings, glowing red eyes and a strange, almost human-like faceHarbinger of death, associated with disasters such as the Silver Bridge, 9/11 attacks and Fukushima nuclear disasterIn the shadows of Point Pleasant
2Loch Ness MonsterLarge, serpentine creature with a long neckA prehistoric marine reptile known as the plesiosaur, a large fish or turtle, or a a hoaxDepths of Loch Ness in Scotland
3BigfootGiant, hairy, ape-like creature that is timidA type of undiscovered primateNorth America’s forests
4YetiLarge, bipedal creatures covered with white, brown, gray, or white hair, and sharp teethBear-like animals or a type of apeReports of sightings have come from places including Tibet, Nepal, and the U.S.
5ChupacabraReptile-like or dog-like creature with a row of spines or quills down its backBlood-sucking predator that drains its victims of bloodParts of the Americas; best chance of seeing it is in Texas
6WendigoTall and thin, with long arms and sharp claws; face is believed to be half-human, half-deer, and their eyes glow redFavorite food is human flesh; immune to bullets and fire so can only be killed by cutting off its head and burning its body Forests of North America

Conclusion 

The most famous cryptids are a bit out there in terms of logic. However, with how big the universe is, what are the odds that everything is how we have always perceived it to be? Can all of these claims be a figment of the imagination? 

Describing events that are hard to support brings up controversy, no doubt. At the end of the day, what do you think? Is it possible to see a yeti? Your imagination and sense of adventure only limit you. With this list of where you can find these six cryptids, will you try to prove they exist? 


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About the Author

Creepy-crawly creatures enthrall Marisa. Aside from raising caterpillars, she has a collection of spiders as pets. The brown recluse is her favorite spider of all time. They're just misunderstood. You don't have to worry about squishing the creatures as her catching, and relocating abilities can safely move stray centipedes or snakes to a new location that's not your living room.

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