A controversial branch of zoology focusing on animal species that have been reported to exist but are as yet unknown to science. The most famous hidden or unknown species include lake monsters (such as the loch ness monster), obscure hominids (such as bigfoot), and sea serpents.
The term cryptozoology was coined by French zoologist Bernard heuvelmans. Fascinated by such creatures since his youth, he pursued his interest over the years after receiving his Ph.D. in zoology. His research culminated in an initial study, On the Track of Unknown Animals (1955). The volume sold more than a million copies. In the wake of the popular response, he was finally able to pursue his interest full-time and to develop a network of other cryptozoologists. His research led to a second volume, In the Wake of Sea Serpents (1968), and eventually to the formation of the international society of cryptozoology in 1982.