I can remember seeing the above picture many years ago and found it intriguing. I had also seen where some people thought that the dark figure was, or at least could be, a Bigfoot. Of course, we know that the dark figure is not a bigfoot but a person.

This image is from a very isolated tribe. In fact, this tribe is considered one of the world's last uncontacted peoples, even though there has been some contact with them over the years.

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Over the last few years there seems to be a rise in pterodactyl sighting reports. There are also some older, Civil War era, photographs that float around on the internet of what is perceived as a dead pterodactyl.Some of those old photographs are reportedly from some movie and are passed around as the real deal.

Pterodactyl is the common word many people use to describe to two famous pterosaurs of the Mesozoic Era: Pteranodon and Pterodactylus. Most of us only know it as a a large flying animal that lived long ago when dinosaurs were alive. But with the recent sightings, it may make people wonder if some are still alive.

While some sightings are harder to debunk, I think there is a good explanation for some of the sightings.

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From the move The Giant Spider

While there are many cryptids I wouldn't mind chasing after, the Congolese giant spider, also just known as Giant Spider, is not one I'm interested in pursuing. Spiders in general make me squirm ...ugh.

The Congolese Giant Spider is a cryptozoological creature that is said to exist in the Congo, possibly representing a new species of arachnid. It is considered a cryptid and only in recent years has received publicity." said Robert B. Durham.

These Giant Spider are described as having a brownish body similar to that of a tarantula, with a legspan of four to six feet. I hope I never get to see one up close. The claim is that younger Giant Spiders have yellow coloring and it turns brown as it matures. I also don't want to see a young one.

While the idea of a large spider with a legspan of 6 feet may seem very far fetched, there has been a number of sightings.

Many sightings have been reported from Africa, especially in the Congo.

1938: Congo: Reginald and Margurite Lloyd were driving a Ford truck through a trail when they reportedly spotted a spider as large as a monkey. It resembled a tarantula, but had an estimated leg-span of 5 feet. Their daughter, Maurgurite Lloyd, would later relate this story in the 1990s to William Gibbons.

William Gibbons is a researcher who researched the Mokele-Mbembe , which is reported a living dinosaur, in the Congo.

1942: Papua, New Guinea: An Australian soldier at the Kokoda Trail said that he encountered a puppy-sized spider inhabiting a 10 to 15 foot sized web. It was described as being black with a bulky body, as well as hairy like a tarantula.

Now, here is a sighting that I don't like, yeah it's fine to have these killers elsewhere but not in the good ol USA. But at least it was a long time ago.


1948: Leesville, Louisiana, United States: William Slaydon and his grandchildren were walking north on Highway 171 to church when he motioned them to stop. After hearing a rustling in the bushes ahead, a spider described as the size of a washtub emerged and crossed the road. One of the grandchildren later told this story to his own son, Todd Partain, director of the documentary film "Eyes In The Dark: The Sasquatch Experience."


2001: Cameroon: Timbo, chief of the Baka tribe in Cameroon, tells William Gibbons that in November 2000 a J'ba Fofi (Giant Spider) had built a nest near their village.


2011: Amazon:  British cinematographer Richard Terry travelled to the Amazon to investigate reports of giant spiders in the June 13th episode of Man v. Monster. At a remote village, he was informed that giant spiders lived in holes deep within the jungle. These spiders measured roughly four feet in diameter.

Now, this next report is much more recent and once again in the United States. Sorry Missouri, I will not be visiting anytime soon.

2013:Missouri: A man named L. Smith spots a giant spider while he was fishing. The j'ba Fofi (Giant Spider) had grabbed his water canteen, then had crawled away very fast. L. Smith said that the incident only lasted a few seconds, and describes what he saw as a large hairy spider with long legs. He also said that it "moved like a spider catching it's prey."

That would be one spot I would never fish at again.

According to Baka natives, these spiders they call J'ba Fofi, build lairs of leaves and spin webs between two trees. They say the giant spiders prey upon birds and other small game. The Baka natives also claim the giant spider is now rare thanks to habitat destruction.

Well, that is one spider that I don't think I will ever try to find. I'll just stick to dumb spider movies where the spider dies in the end.


(source: wikipedia)   


Thanks
~Tom~

This post by Thomas Marcum, Thomas is the founder/leader of the cryptozoology and paranormal research organization known as The Crypto Crew. Over 20 years experience with research and investigation of unexplained activity, working with video and websites. A trained wild land firefighter and a published photographer, and poet.



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Brosno Dragon - The Brosno Dragon, also known as Brosnya (Russian: Бросня), is the name given to a lake monster which is said to inhabit Lake Brosno, near Andreapol in West Russia. It is described as resembling a dragon or dinosaur, and is the subject of a number of regional legends, some which are said to date back to the 13th century.

Many people treat the existence of Brosnya skeptically and still say that the creature may be a mutant beaver or a giant pike of 100–150 years. Others conjecture that groups of wild boars and elks cross the lake from time to time.

There are some more scientific hypotheses concerning Brosnya. One of them is a gas version saying that when hydrogen sulfide goes up from the lake bottom it makes water boil up; this boiling in its turn resembles a dragon head. But the amount of hydrogen sulfide must be considerable to produce this effect. Other version says that there is a volcano in Lake Brosno that makes ejections on the water surface from time to time. It is well known that there are several fractures at the bottom of the lake, the depth and the direction of the fractures cannot be defined. It is not ruled out that the volcano crater is inside of one of the fractures. This explains why the volcano, if it actually exists, has not been discovered yet. (limnic eruption - A limnic eruption, also referred to as a lake overturn, is a rare type of natural disaster in which dissolved carbon dioxide (CO₂) suddenly erupts from deep lake water, suffocating wildlife, livestock and humans.)
 
Fishermen say that the underwater world of Lake Brosno has a structure of several levels. From time to time, burbots and yellow perch can be found in the lake. For example, herring can be found in a lake in Peno District in the Tver Region. Some consider it strange that sea fish may live in the lake at all. Smelt shoals can be found in Lake Brosno as well. The phenomenon of Brosnya can be explained from the physical point of view: huge smelt shoals are reflected on the water surface through refraction of light and produces the effect of a huge reptile head. Physicists say that any mirage appears in hot weather. Indeed, witnesses say that they came across Brosnya in summer. However, the origin of the rumors of this strange monster remain a mystery.
 
Legends
Rumors of a strange, giant creature living in Lake Brosno have existed for several centuries. One legend says that the lake monster scared to death the Tatar-Mongol army that headed for Novgorod in the 13th century. Batu Khan stopped the troops on the sides of Lake Brosno to rest. Horses were allowed to drink water from the lake. However, when the horses ventured down to the lake, a huge roaring creature emerged from the water and started devouring horses and soldiers. The Batu-khan troops were so terrified that they turned back, and Novgorod was saved. Old legends describe an "enormous mouth" devouring fishermen. Chronicles mention a "sand mountain" that appeared on the lake surface from time to time. According to another legend, some Varangians wanted to hide stolen treasure in the lake. When they approached the small island, a dragon came to the surface from the lake and swallowed the island up.

It was rumored in the 18th and 19th centuries that the giant creature emerged on the lake surface in the evening, but immediately submerged when people approached. It is said that during World War II the beast swallowed up a German airplane. Today, there are lots of witnesses who say they chanced to see Brosnya walking in the water. Locals say that it turns boats upside-down and has to do with disappearance of people.

- Source: wikipedia -


This is very a similar story to the Loch Ness Monster and to Mokele-mbembe, but with the Mokele Mbembe we are talking about it being in the Congo. The Congo is largely unexplored and very difficult to traverse.


So do you think the Brosno Dragon is a real creature? if so , what do you think it could be?

Thanks
~Tom~


This post by Thomas Marcum, Thomas is the founder/leader of the cryptozoology and paranormal research organization known as The Crypto Crew. Over 20 years experience with research and investigation of unexplained activity, working with video and websites. A trained wild land firefighter and a published photographer, and poet



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Agogwe

The agogwe is also known as the kakundakari or kilomba in Zimbabwe and the Congo region. About 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in) tall and covered with hair, they are said to walk upright like humans.
In the Ivory Coast it is known as the sehite.
In Tanzania and northern Mozambique, they speak of the agogure or agogue, a human-like, long-armed pygmy with a coat the colour of fired earth. Although its appearance is said to be grotesque, the agogue is said to be more mischievous than menacing.

Name: Agogwe
Similar to: Bigfoot, Orang Pendek, Batutut
Location: East Africa
Movement: Bi-pedal
Size: 2-6 Feet tall
Photos/Videos: None

I do not know who to credit for the picture used with this post, sorry. I find it amazing that these bigfoot type creatures seem to be reported all over the world. What also seems a bit different is that some of there creatures seem to be a bit more aggressive when compared to our elusive Bigfoot.
Most of this post was take directly from Wikipedia.

Thanks
~Tom~
[Source: Wikipedia ]




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Glow in the dark Cockroach discovered in 2013

According to a recent study that was deemed the most accurate ever, there has been only about a quarter of the total number of species discovered on earth. Lets take a look at some of the suggested numbers while we keep in mine our many wonderful unconfirmed cryptids.

Mammals - The number of confirmed species discovered is 5,501 with an estimated undiscovered number at 200. Mammals are vertebrates, which means they have a backbone or spine. All mammals have hair on their bodies at some point and produce milk to feed their babies.

Birds - The number of confirmed species is 10,064 with an estimated undiscovered number at 500. Birds are also vertebrates, have feathers and lay eggs.

Reptiles - The number of confirmed species is 9,547 with an estimated undiscovered number at 2,500. Reptiles are also vertebrates, covered in scales and have lungs for breathing.

Amphibians - Confirmed species is 6,771 with an estimated undiscovered number at 8,200. Amphibians are vertebrates, breather through their skin and go through metamorphosis. Recently a new frog was discovered and it is the worlds smallest frog measuring in at only 1/4 of an inch long.

Fish - The confirmed number of species is 32,400 with an estimated undiscovered number at 12,500.

Crustaceans - The confirmed number of species is 47,000 with an estimated undiscovered number of 100,000. The larger grouping for crustaceans is Arthropods. All insect fall into this section and all are invertebrates, meaning they do not have a backbone or skeleton but a exoskeleton.

Mollusks - The confirmed species number is 85,000 with an estimated undiscovered number of  115,000. Mollusks are invertebrates. Examples are clams, snails and slugs.

Arachnids - The confirmed species number is 102,248 with an estimated undiscovered number of 500,000. Of course this is one of my least favorite things ....ugh spiders. Arachnids fall under the Arthropods section. Examples include spiders, ticks, and mites.

I should also mention Insects with a confirmed 1 million and 4 million estimated undiscovered. Some of these of course are really small but they are numerous.

Recent Discoveries


Lesula Monkey was well known to the locals but new to science.
The monkey has "human like" eyes and greets each dawn with a
loud shout. Discovered in the Congo. It is estimated that about 80
percent of the Congo is unexplored.





The Glow in the dark Cockroach, featured at the top of this post, is also called "lightening roach". It was discovered in early 2013.
Another rather new discovery is the Leaf Chameleon. It was discovered in the jungles of Madagascar in February 2012 and is one of the world's smallest known reptiles.


So with all the estimated undiscovered species one would assume all we have to do is wait and at some point, some of our favorite hidden creatures will be discovered.  The field of cryptozoology has helped in the past to prove some discoveries in days gone by, so maybe one of our fellow researchers will hit the mark again.

Thanks
~Tom~

[sources: San Diego Zoo, Wikipedia, Philadelphia Trumpet ]

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If I described to you a creature that had a 10 foot long neck, a 10 foot long tail and a 30 foot long large round body, what would you guess it to be? I'm sure most of you would say that it was a dinosaur. Well this is what has been described by numerous witnesses for over 100 years.

Deep in central Africa in the Congo there is said to live a dinosaur, the pygmies of the Likouala swamp region call the creature mokele-mbembe, which translated means "One that stops the flow of rivers."

The creature has also been described as having grey to brown skin with no hair and as spending most of it time under the water. The creature is said to sometime travel in search of food or to other near by swamps and rivers, resulting in some of the reported sightings. The locals say that Mokele-Mbembe will over turn boats and kill people by biting them or hitting them with it tail but it is thought that the creature is herbivore, plant eater.

So I'm sure you are asking "where is the evidence?" or "is there any evidence?"  well there is some evidence that we should consider.

First lets consider that sightings have been reported for over 100 years now, with the earliest record dating back to 1776. There has been and continues to be expeditions in the region searching for the creature.
The next evidence we should consider is the odd Tracks. The tracks are described as a rounded shape about 3 foot in diameter having 3 toes with claws and having a stride distance of between 7-8 feet.
Here is a photo of a possible track


Dinosaur track?

There is also some possible video evidence that needs to be considered as well.  In 1992 members of a Japanese film crew allegedly filmed video of Mokele-mbembe. As they were filming aerial footage from a small plane over the area of Lake Tele, intending to obtain some shots for a documentary, they noticed something in the water and shot about 15 seconds of video. Here is a still frame from that video.


But that is not all, there have been many more expeditions into the Congo looking for Mokele-Mbeme, one in 1992 by William Gibbons produced 2 photos of unidentified objects in the water. Gibbons claimed one was the head of the creature.

Many experts have looked into the tales of Mokele-Mbeme and those who did not just dismiss it as folklore, stated it could be a sauropod dinosaur. When locals were shown a picture of a sauropod dinosaur they said that picture is of Mokele-mbembe.

Even, Ivan T. Sanderson, The man who coined of the word cryptozoology, Saw what he said and wrote to be the Mokele-Mbeme. Sanderson seen the creature dive back into the water and he stated that it's head was as large as a hippo.

So could it be possible that a dinosaur or group of dinosaurs are still living?  But before you make up your mind completely consider that it is estimated that about 80 percent of the Congo remains unexplored.
So maybe there will be a real Jurassic Park someday, and talking about movies, the movie Baby: Secret of the lost legend, starring William Katt, was based on sighting reports of the Mokele-Mbeme.

Thanks
~Tom~


[Sources: Wikipedia, mokelembembe]
[sauropod Photo: oakdome]



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Adam Davies

 
By TCC Team Member Dorraine Fisher
Professional Writer, a nature and wildlife enthusiast who has written for many magazines.


All cryptozoologists do the hard work and play an important role in proving the existence of unknown animals around the world. But only a few subject themselves to the dangers and take it to the extremes that Adam Davies has. With expeditions in the Congo, Norway, Sumatra, Russia, Mongolia, China, and the US last September, Adam’s done it all. He’s risked life and limb searching for such elusive creatures as the Alghoi Korkhoi in Mongolia, and the Mokele M’bembe in the Congo. And after his camp was approached by an "unknown creature," while working with researcher Lori Simmons, he has a new interest in our very own Bigfoot.

Davies, a civil servant in Bramhall, Stockport, United Kingdom by day, spends most of his extra money and vacation time exploring jungles, mountain peaks, and everything in between all around the world. He’s made three TV appearances on Monsterquest: The Real Hobbit, The Abominable Snowman, and China’s Wildman. And has also appeared on the National Geographic special entitled Russian Bigfoot, and is also scheduled to appear on Finding Bigfoot, the Sumatra episode, which is scheduled to air on February 17. And he’s also a really nice guy; happy to talk to anyone who would like to know about his adventures.

Dorraine: Okay, Adam, what was it that first got you started with cryptozoology in the first place?

Adam: I first developed a love of tracking animals as a child, and started off tracking animals then. I became really interested in cryptozoology as teenager when I watched an episode of Arthur C. Clarke's mysterious World series which featured Mackerle's hunt for the Mokele-Membe. I decided I would go myself and I did!

Dorraine: When people ask you what you do out there, what do you tell them? What do you call yourself?

Adam: I tell people I research unknown creatures- i.e. creatures that have not been scientifically proved yet. As such, I am a researcher. Other people have described me as an "Explorer" an "Adventurer" or a "Cryptozoologist." I’m good with any of those tags.

Dorraine: How do you plan an expedition? What’s involved? Do you have someone else do it for you?

Adam: I research the area very thoroughly based on three criteria: Are there local stories that go back [in history]? E.g. the Yeren stories go back to 6 B.C. If they are just modern stories, I am suspicious! Does the ecosystem support the plausibility of such a creature existing, and do I want to go looking for it? I do a lot of the research and planning, but I have also worked with other team members and of course local guides. It’s normally my time and money so I have to want to go, but I am always happy for others to help, and they do!

Dorraine: Have you actually seen any of the creatures you're searching for, or do you just have a

burning curiosity like so many of us?

Adam: Yes, I have seen the Seljord Serpent in Norway. When it came out of the water, it was totally

strange. It had barbs on its back, and moved in an undulating motion, just like in a 17th century
woodcut. I had a total burst of adrenaline. If I could have jumped on its back, I would have. I had a complete Captain Ahab moment! The sounds that the team generated were subsequently analyzed by the Marine Research institute in Bergen. Their conclusion: unknown species.

Dorraine: Wow! I’ll have to get back to you later on that story! When you first started doing these kinds of expeditions, did people call you crazy?

Adam: When I first started doing them I did a lot of self-justification i.e. "I am going to look for the Mokele-Membe in the Congo. I know the legends say it’s a dinosaur, but I think it might be......"

Dorraine: And has that changed now?

Adam: Years later, I don't bother. I just say it as it is. I want people to enjoy what I do, but that's up to them. I am not a politician standing for election.

Dorraine: Does being followed around with cameras all the time add pressure to
the investigations?

Adam: I am not followed around with cameras all the time. On most of my expeditions, I haven't had a TV crew with me. So I have freedom to do whatever I choose, which is invariably all about maximizing the best chance of getting any evidence of the creature I am looking for. Its my time and my money after all. If you are with a TV crew, they are obviously all about making a good show as their primary objective, so the shape of the investigation inevitably changes, but then that's understandable. The integrity of any evidence remains the same though, and they can often get stuff tested quicker because they have more resources.

Dorraine: Do the locals in your investigation areas usually cooperate pretty well with you? And do they generally have a pretty good attitude about what you're doing there?

Adam: I research each area very carefully before I go, and try to find the very best local trackers and guides to aid me while I am there. Its all about maximizing the time on the ground. I have rarely come across hostile attitudes to the expeditions I am on. Most local people in the areas I have been to are normally just interested in why I am there, as often, the areas visited could have had few westerners ever there.

Dorraine: You're in some dangerous situations sometimes. Which do you fear more? The creatures you're searching for, or the conditions you're forced to deal with in order to find them?

Adam: It depends on the country. In the Congo, it was the people, as I was shot at. I also witnessed a battle once, and had artillery flares going overhead. In most of the jungles, it’s the little things rather than the big things that will get you normally, i.e. diseases rather than Tigers. I was stuck in isolation in a hospital once! In the Mountains, it’s making sure you don't fall off!

Dorraine: What's been your scariest moment? Or can you even pick one?

Adam: Not one individually-I think see above for detail. Also, I have nearly slipped off the mountain twice now, once in Nepal and once in Russia. I have "nearly died" on a number of occasions. I am still here, so I am very lucky I suppose! Lots of occasions, lots of memories!

Dorraine: Why is it worth the risk to you?

Adam: I think this is the most difficult question to answer. Since I was a child, I have always been fascinated by whether unknown species roamed the earth, and have been in the past prepared to take enormous risks. I remember thinking before I traversed the Likoula swamps, I am not sure whether I will survive this or not, and wrote letters to friends and family in the event of my death. I guess I am just fascinated by the adventure of it all, solving mysteries, and hopefully in the case of the Orang-Pendek, doing some good by helping to preserve its ecosystem.

Dorraine: In your opinion, what is the most interesting project you've ever been involved in? Is there any one project that stands out above the rest?

Adam: The most interesting that I have been involved in is the Orang-Pendek. This is a bipedal primate that inhabits the jungles of Sumatra. Even most of the skeptics entertain the possibility that it exists. I have been on seven expeditions to look for it, and gathered persuasive scientific evidence of its existence. I have had prints cast analyzed by primatologists, and its hair structure analyzed by a scientist who was used in the Dingo baby case. They confirmed it was is an unknown species of primate.(For example, see `Edge Science Magazine-New Primate species in Sumatra). And I was totally amazed by what happened to me in the U.S. this last year though, when an unknown creature approached Lori Simmons and I when we were asleep by the campfire. That has really kindled a great interest in Bigfoot for me now.

Orang-pendek cast


© The Crypto Crew 

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New Monkey Species Found!

A remote jungle in the Congo has yielded a new species of monkey, the first to be found in almost 30 years. Scientists discovered the lesula in the Democratic Republic of Congo's Lomami forest basin after spotting an unusual monkey being kept as a pet in a small forest town, reports CNN. Further investigation revealed that it was an entirely new species, which dwells only in the still largely unexplored Lomami forest.
                                                           

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