At the beginning of the 21st Century monsters still roam the remote, and sometimes not so remote, corners of our planet. It is our job to search for them. The Centre for Fortean Zoology [CFZ] is - we believe - the largest professional, scientific and full-time organisation in the world dedicated to cryptozoology - the study of unknown animals. Since 1992 the CFZ has carried out an unparalleled programme of research and investigation all over the world. Since 2009 we have been running the increasingly popular CFZ Blog Network, and although there has been an American branch of the CFZ for over ten years now, it is only now that it has a dedicated blog.

Thursday 30 June 2022

MAINE COON CAT - ORIGIN LEGENDS

The origins of this large domestic cat are unknown and shrouded in legend.  It may be descended from some breed already large that was brought to America.  Various legends have been invoked to account for its singular features.

One such is that it is a hybrid.  It was said it was the hybrid of a raccoon and a domestic cat, but this would seem to be impossible.   Another legend is that it is a hybrid of a domestic cat and a bobcat, but that is just as unlikely.

A further legend is that the species was brought to America aboard the ship of a Captain Coon.

Another story is that when the French Revolution occurred, the imprisoned Queen Marie Antoinette tried to escape, putting her prized possessions aboard a ship.  These included six special cats.

The unfortunate queen's plan did not succeed, but the cats, stowed safely away, managed to reach America, where they became the ancestors of the Maine Coon Cat.  I stress, this is no more than a legend.


The Maine Coon Cat is the world's largest domestic cat and may have developed due to the rigors of the Maine climate.


Maine Coon Cat


TELEPATHIC OCTOPUS HUMANOID

Now, here's a bizarre creature.





now read on..... 

BADLANDS HORROR

A terrifying creature reported in 1931.


now read on..... 

LAKE MONSTER KILLED IN NEW YORK

Newspaper report from 1900.




now read on..... 

ULLSWATER LAKE CREATURE

What is it below the surface?


Ullswater



now read on..... 

PREHISTORIC GIANT KANGAROO

It lived 50,000 years ago and wasn't closely related to Australian kangaroos.


now read on....


 

BIGFOOT IN A CAVE

Report from 1908.





now read on..... 

TERMITE INSECTOIDS AND IMPLANTS

Report from Louisiana.




now read on..... 

Wednesday 29 June 2022

HAWAIIAN SEA SERPENT

Newspaper report from 1877.





now read on.... 

DINOSAURS IN THE CINEMA

A video tracing their evolution.





have a look.... 

FAIRIES CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Have a look.





now read on..... 

WERE THESE THE CRIES OF AN UNKNOWN ANIMAL?

If so, what was it?


now read on.... 

19th CENTURY MERMAID SIGHTINGS

What lies behind the legend of the Mermaid?





now read on..... 

MYSTERIOUS CREATURE'S REMAINS

On floor of Mediterranean.


now read on..... 

MONSTER OF EASTHAVEN BEACH

Something strange washed up on the Scottish coast in 1977.


now read on......

SASQUATCH IN THOROLD?

Was it seen there?





now read on..... 

WAS BIGFOOT SIGHTED?

Michigan police issue press release.





now read on.... 

Tuesday 28 June 2022

CAYUGA LAKE MONSTERS

There are two of them.





now read on..... 

OLD SAYBROOK BLOCKHEADS

Alien creatures of an absolutely bizarre appearance.


now read on..... 

PARANORMAL SLACKS

No one was wearing them.


now read on.... 

GROTTE COSQUER ANIMAL

Sea serpent type creature depicted in prehistoric art.





now read on..... 

GUIRIVILU

South American lake monster.  Descriptions vary.





now read on..... 

DOGMAN IN THE U.S.

A look at this enigmatic creature.





now read on..... 

MOON-HOUND OF ODEMIRA

What exactly did this driver see?





now read on..... 

RUSSIAN BIGFOOT HARRASSES DRIVER

A video purportedly shows this.





now read on..... 

Monday 27 June 2022

FAIRY SIGHTING

Firsthand account.  See under "Recent activity".





now read on.... 

THE MELROSE CREEP

A strange creature of Oregon is sighted.


now read on..... 

LAMBS GROW ON TREES

Or so it was believed in days agone.


now read on..... 

BIGFOOT - AN AMERICAN APE?

A look at the Hairy One.





now read on..... 

3 FOOT TALL BLACK CREATURE

Terrified 10 year old child. 


now read on...... 

 

BULGARIAN MYTHOLOGY: SCARIEST CREATURES

Creatures of east European tradition.


Flag of Bulgaria



now read on..... 

MAN-BAT OF MEXICO

It seemed to hover, rather than touching the ground.





now read on..... 

DEER COME INTO TOWN

On the hot days of summer in Nara, Japan.





now read on..... 

THE DEER-MAN OF PENDLETON

What do you make of a creature that seems to combine the characteristics of human and deer?


now read on..... 

Sunday 26 June 2022

BRINGING BACK EXTINCT ANIMALS

Scientists are trying to do it.  The animals in which they are interested include the Tyrannosaurus Rex, the Sabertooth Tiger, the Short-faced Bear, etc.





now read on..... 

SERBIAN FLYING MAN

What was it?  Detailed report.


now read on.....   

THE AWFUL

Flying cryptid of Vermont, reported about 1900.





now read on..... 

WELL DOCUMENTED ATTEMPTED ALIEN ABDUCTION

A bow hunter's scary experience.





now read on....

HUMANOID "NOT DEER"

A muscular one in Idaho.





now read on..... 

WERE THESE BIGFOOT TRACKS?

Discovered by hiker in Pennsylvania.

BIGFOOT URBAN SIGHTINGS

They're not uncommon.





now read on..... 

THE MYSTERIOUS JETPACK MAN

He's been seen again.  (Video)


now read on.....


 

Saturday 25 June 2022

BIGFOOT AT OSAGE RIVER

Two of them.





now read on.... 

FEEDING A PREGNANT BIGFOOT

A daring thing.





now read on....


 

OTT # 186

The latest episode of the CFZ web tv show.





now read on.... 

BLACK FOREST HORSES

A splendid but endangered breed in Germany.


now read on..... 

CROWING CRESTED COBRA

An anomalous beast.





now read on..... 

OCTOPUS-LIKE CREATURES

They've got tentacles!





ALAN

A strange but kind creature of Philippine folklore.


now read on.... 

CLAIMED SCIENTIFIC PROOF OF BIGFOOT

Are you convinced?





now read on..... 

WHY CAN'T WE REMEMBER BEING BORN?

Do we want to?


Stork



now read on.... 

EARTH'S WATER CYCLE IN DANGER

Ecological dangers surround us.


now read on.... 

FLYING MANTA RAY-SHAPED CRYPTIDS

Report from Trinidad.





now read on..... 

Friday 24 June 2022

WHAT WAS THE OCTOPUS GUARDING?

A mystery of the depths.





now read on..... 

SWISS KELPIE AND LAKE SNAKES IN SWITZERLAND

Avoid if swimming.  (Site in German with translation engine)





now read on..... 

INSPIRATION OF SEA MONSTERS

What lies behind such ideas?





now read on..... 

SCOTTISH SEA SERPENT

A look at the Cirein Cron.





now read on..... 

INVASION OF THE RATS

A scary episode.  (includes video)





now read on..... 

WOOD EATING AMISH COUNTY GOOSE GRABBER

Here's an unusual cryptid.


now read on..... 

CHUPACABRA-LIKE ANIMAL

Seen in Texas.





now read on..... 

FOUR BIGFOOT ENCOUNTERS

The Hairy One is about.





now read on..... 

DREKAVAC

Sounds like a Slavic dogman.





now read on.....