That “Cryptid Mammal Reptile” Footage

This week’s MonsterQuest appears to revisit a 2005-2006 tale that both Craig Woolheater and I investigated at Cryptomundo, up to a point, and with which we were not too impressed. See here.

MonsterQuest : SEA MONSTERS
Wednesday April 22nd 2008 at 9PM eastern / 8PM central on HISTORY
Mariners have long told stories of frightening beasts that stalk the coasts of Florida, but what if new video could prove that old sailors were seeing real sea monsters? A forked tail, ferocious teeth and a large body were all characteristics of the historic sea monsters, seen by schooners packed with scared passengers. Now, one Florida man says that not only has he witnessed these creatures on countless occasions, but he also has hours of video proof. Experts are divided over the controversial evidence that shows tantalising glimpses of these strange sea creatures. One marine biologist claims it is a disfigured known species, another expert says it is a seal thought long extinct, and still others maintain that it is something altogether unheard of. Whatever monster lurks here, close to innocent vacationers, MonsterQuest will investigate. Using state of the art sonar technology, a dive team will penetrate the murky waters while marine experts and forensic artists attempt to identify this sea monster caught on tape.

Indeed, what we saw in 2005-2006 seemed like a strange mixture of images from perhaps manatee, seal, and other known aquatic species. Some of the screen captures didn’t seem to match the filmed animals, and the drawings may have been of other alleged or imagined sightings.

I think at one point I was rather convinced that one item I was viewing was footage of manatees mating. But we were not given full access to all the information.

Even the presentation to us, that it had to be some kind of “Cryptid Mammal Reptile” (sic) seemed a little off.

Loren Coleman About Loren Coleman
Loren Coleman is one of the world’s leading cryptozoologists, some say “the” leading living cryptozoologist. Certainly, he is acknowledged as the current living American researcher and writer who has most popularized cryptozoology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Starting his fieldwork and investigations in 1960, after traveling and trekking extensively in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries, Coleman began writing to share his experiences in 1969. An honorary member of Ivan T. Sanderson’s Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained in the 1970s, Coleman has been bestowed with similar honorary memberships of the North Idaho College Cryptozoology Club in 1983, and in subsequent years, that of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, CryptoSafari International, and other international organizations. He was also a Life Member and Benefactor of the International Society of Cryptozoology (now-defunct). Loren Coleman’s daily blog, as a member of the Cryptomundo Team, served as an ongoing avenue of communication for the ever-growing body of cryptozoo news from 2005 through 2013. He returned as an infrequent contributor beginning Halloween week of 2015. Coleman is the founder in 2003, and current director of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine.

Email • Facebook • Twitter •