Cryptozoology

Cryptozoology is the study of animals that are reported, but not proven, to exist. Although considered a fringe science or a pseudoscience by many scientists, cryptozoology has captured the attention of many young earth creationists. The reason for this is that many of the animals (called cryptids) investigated by cryptozoologists strongly resemble extinct animals such as dinosaurs and pterosaurs. Young Earth Creationists hope to shed doubt on accepted dates for the Age of the Earth by proving life forms though long to be extinct to be in fact still alive. Critics of the Young Earth position note that while YECs actively champion the legitimacy of "surving dinosaurs" like the Mokele Mbembe they do not extend credit towards cryptids that may strengthen evolutionary positions like Bigfoot or the Yeti.