A cryptid is an animal that has been claimed to exist but has never been proven to exist. Cryptozoologists study cryptids, creatures whose existence has yet to be (or cannot entirely be) proven. These creatures show up in many centuries-old stories and legends, and examples of cryptids include Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, the Jersey Devil, El Chupacabra, Mothman, and werewolves. Cryptids dont have to be supernatural, mythical, or even all that strange, though many popular creatures acquire these characteristics as their legends grow. Some real species we know about today were once considered cryptids, such as the giant squid. Cryptozoology is a pseudoscience that primarily looks at anecdotal stories and other claims rejected by the scientific community. While biologists regularly identify new species following established scientific methodology, cryptozoologists focus on entities mentioned in the folklore record and rumor.