This page will discuss incorrect views regarding cryptozoology as I come across them, from both skeptics and fans. (Note: this was originally written back in the mid '90s, so is not as broad as what is represented in my text, Cryptozoology: Science & Speculation.)

1. Cryptozoology has links to the paranormal, or Cryptozoologists hunt "monsters." I've seen on several websites references to vampires, zombies, and other paranormal entities as being cryptozoological. Cryptozoology has no ties to the paranormal. It is only concerned with determining whether there is a zoological basis to a particular cryptid. If it can be established that the cryptid is not biological (i.e. folklore, etc.), it is no longer considered of interest to cryptozoology.

2. No legitimate scientist has an interest in cryptozoology. A quick look at the last journal of Cryptozoology, published by the International Society of Cryptozoology, includes scientists on the Board of Directors and the Editorial Board from Illinois State University, University of Maryland, Brown University, Washington State University, Villanova University, Auburn University, University of Chicago, Ohio State University, University of Paris, Australian National University, University of Calgary, Beijing Natural History Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Science, Royal Museum of Scotland, Transvaal Museum, American Museum of Natural History, and the Smithsonian Institution. Scientists from other academic and scientific groups have published papers which are of great interest to cryptozoology.

3. Cryptozoology concerns itself only with large animals. While the public is most familiar with bigfoot, yeti, lake monster, and sea serpent reports, these are not the only mystery animals which are investigated. Numerous smaller and lesser-known cryptids are of interest. So long as the cryptid is distinctly unexpected in morphology, location, or time, it is of interest to cryptozoology.

4. Everyone who studies cryptozoology believes in bigfoot, lake monsters, etc. Cryptozoology itself does not assume the existance of unrecognized species. Rather, it investigates a mystery animal to determine whether it has a biological basis, and if so, whether it is a recognized species. A particular individual may or may not assume for his/her own reasons that a certain cryptid is an unrecognized species, but cryptozoology itself does not. Most investigators state that there is a high probability that a particular cryptid may be real, but this is not the same as "belief." (Although, I won't personally go so far as to state that "belief" is a religious concept; many scientific interpretations are simply beliefs, justified or not. It just doesn't have usefulness where science is concerned.) After all, we can't be positive about anything concerning a particular cryptid until (and if) a body can be examined.