Bigfoot, Nessie, and mermaids: what do these cryptids share in common? No matter how doubtful we are of their existence, a part of us persists in asking, Could they be real? With a skeptical tone, this title tracks the most popular cryptozoological creatures from their mythological origins to modern attempts to prove their existence. Scientific explanations-including archaeological records and alleged physical evidence-are presented and assessed. Regardless of their veracity, the place these beasts hold in television, movies, and books is a cherished one, and it merits a thorough investigation.