As with many divisions of science, cryptozoology has its own forms of classification that help us understand cryptozoological creatures. In studying these beings, there is a classification system that is used on the Internet which is used to conveniently group them into 4 types. This is the classification system that I sometimes use when I describe cryptids, though I may have changed it slightly for my purposes:
- Type #1: Completely Unknown Organisms: The cryptids that are placed in this group are unlike anything that is currently known in science. Their physical description and behavior is so different from recognized life forms that even a hypothetical classification is difficult to propose for them.
- Type #2: Supposedly Extinct Organisms: These cryptids show a resemblance to creatures that are currently recognized as extinct by modern science. Surviving dinosaurs would be placed in this group. This type applies to creatures that are thought to have gone extinct a long time ago, and creatures that were recently believed to be extinct.
- Type #3: Modified Known Organisms: Cryptids in this group bear a strong resemblance to known creatures, but have certain unusual characteristics. These creatures could be the result of a mutation in a known species, or possibly an unknown related species. This allows them to be categorized fairly easily in hypothetical scientific terms.
- Type #4: Misplaced Known Organisms: Sometimes there are reports of known animals in unusual locations outside of their regular habitat. Whereas there is nothing strange about the cryptids themselves, the fact that a breeding population may exist in a strange locale is difficult to explain.
However, this is not the only classification scheme that has been produced. One categorization, used by Chad Arment (author of Cryptozoology, Science & Speculation) has a set-up very similar to the version mentioned first, but with different numberings. Here is the list as taken from his book:
- Type #1: Animals similar to known extant species but with obvious phenotypic differences (e.g., spotted lions).
- Type #2: Animals similar to known extant species but disjunct geographically (e.g., North American black panthers).
- Type #3: Animals similar only to known extinct species (e.g., Thunderbirds).
- Type #4: Animals that appear unrelated to known extant or extinct species (e.g., Stellar's sea-ape).
A classification system devoted to aquatic cryptids was developed by Dr. Bernard Heuvelmans. He produced it based on various characteristics that eyewitnesses attribute to such sea creatures. He even gives scientific names for each type (something that I would find to be an error, as many different species could exist within each of his classes):
- Long-necked (Megalotaria longicollis) - Aquatic cryptids characterized by long necks, small heads, large bodies, and small or nonexistent tails. Thought to be an unknown species of seal or sea lion.
- Merhorse (Halshippus olai-magni) - Aquatic cryptids characterized by long necks, horse-like heads with a mane, snake-like bodies, and small or nonexistent tails. Thought to be an unknown species of seal or sea lion.
- Many-humped (Plurigibbosus novae-angliae) - Aquatic cryptids characterized by flat heads, a long body with many humps, and sometimes a dorsal fin. Thought to be an ancient species of whale.
- Super Otter (Hyperhydra egedei ) - Aquatic cryptids characterized by small eyes, flexible bodies, webbed feet, and long tails. Thought to be an ancient species of whale.
- Many-finned (Cetioscolpendra aelani) - Aquatic cryptids characterized by round heads, short necks, and series of fin-like spines on either side of its body. Thought to be an ancient species of whale.
- Super Eel (Thought to have multiple genera) - Aquatic cryptids characterized by large eyes and long, slender bodies. Thought to be an unknown species of eel, fish or shark.
- Marine Saurian (No scientific name given) - Aquatic cryptids characterized by crocodile-like heads, two pairs of limbs, and long tails. Thought to be an ancient species of crocodile or mosasaur.
- Yellow Belly (No scientific name given) - Aquatic cryptids characterized by tadpole-like bodies with black and yellow stripes. Relatively rare. Later Retracted.
- Father-of-all-Turtles (No scientific name given) - Aquatic cryptids characterized as looking much like large turtles. Relatively rare. Later retracted.
- Invertebrates (No scientific name given) - Little information given on this type. Possibly giant, sea-going invertebrate colonies.