Hidden Animals

A global survey of unknown creatures reported by thousands of eyewitnesses—creatures that have either been verified, refuted, or are still being examined by scientific researchers.Hidden Animals: A Field Guide to Batsquatch, Chupacabra, and Other Elusive Creatures welcomes readers into the fascinating world of cryptozoology—the scientific pursuit of legendary creatures that sometimes reveals hoaxes and sometimes identifies real, previously unknown species. Compiled by Michael Newton, author of the acclaimed Encyclopedia of Cryptozoology, it is the first comprehensive guide covering the crossroads of zoology and folklore written for both the young and the young at heart.Organized by type of creature type, such as giant animals, missing links, and living fossils, Hidden Animals surveys various beings reported and pursued worldwide from ancient times to the present, in every corner of the globe. In the process, it relates classic myths and legends to identified flesh-and-blood animals. Readers will be captivated by both the scientific evidence supporting the existence of specific cryptids and the exposure of notorious frauds or cases of mistaken identity.Nearly 100 entries on the full range of cryptids, organized into categories of types of animals Primary sources, including eyewitness accounts of sightings of undocumented creaturesSketches of reported hidden animals and photographs of real species uncovered in the pursuit of cryptidsA "Who's Who" in cryptozoology with brief biographies of major figures in the fieldA wide-ranging bibliography of print and online resources for further explorationA comprehensive index of animals (real and speculative), people, places, and discoveries

"Prolific freelance author Newton profiles 93 creatures not recognized by modern science, or in some cases officially extinct but still encountered by ordinary people. They include giant and pygmy versions of otherwise respectable creatures, animals living where or when they are not supposed to, animals that are part one thing and part another, deep sea and deep sky denizens, maulers, and those too weird to fit into any category of weirdness." - SciTech Book News, "The well-researched, informative text is presented in a methodical format and black-and-white illustrations serve to enhance the text. The type and amount of information presented gives an excellent overview of the subject and will serve as a starting place for further research." - ARBAonline, "The text is impeccably resourced, and the tone is neutral. . . its presentation is sufficiently mature to keep an adult audience reading happily. . . . Recommended. Academic, two-year technical program, and general readers, all levels." - Choice

Michael Newton is a full-time freelance author with 212 books published since 1977 and 25 more scheduled for release from various houses through early 2011.