Have you ever heard of cryptozoology? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, cryptozoology is ‘the study of and search for animals and especially legendary animals (such as Sasquatch) usually in order to evaluate the possibility of their existence’. Sounds fascinating, right? Below we have gathered a list of nonfiction about cryptozoology that is currently owned by the Davenport Public Library.

As of this writing, all titles are owned by the Davenport Public Library. Descriptions are provided by the publishers.

The big book of cryptid trivia : fun facts and fascinating folklore about Bigfoot, Mothman, Loch Ness Monster, the Yeti, and more elusive creatures / Bernadatte Johnson.

Almost everyone has heard of cryptids like Bigfoot and Mothman, but did you know the Loch Ness Monster has an American counterpart called Tahoe Tessie? The Big Book of Cryptid Trivia is full of fun, interesting questions and answers about cryptids and the history of cryptozoology. Learn about Hogzilla, the Loveland Frog, Yeti, and more! – Ulysses Press

Chasing North American monsters : a guide to over 250 creatures from Greenland to Guatemala / Jason Offutt, foreword by Loren coleman.

Discover more than 250 Humanoids, Howlers, and Scaly Swimmers from Across North America

Here in North America, there be monsters! Jason Offutt takes you on a thrilling adventure across all twenty-three countries—as well as every state and territory of the US, Canada, and Mexico—to meet one or more monsters in each location. Featuring illustrations throughout, this book travels to Alaska, the Caribbean, Greenland, and beyond.

• Find the horned boa known as Madre de Aguas in Cuba.

• Head to Honduras to spot el Comelenguas, the tongue-eating giant bird.

• Catch a glimpse of the Grafton Monster along West Virginia’s roads.

• Escape from the Ikusik, the human-devouring corpse of Greenland.

• Track the Were-Jaguar (half-man, half-cat) across Tabasco, Mexico.

From Arizona’s Lizard Man to Canada’s Wendigo, this book opens your eyes to the monstrous wonders of North America. Are you up for the chase? – Llewellyn

The ghost lab : how bigfoot hunters, mediums, and alien enthusiasts are wrecking science / Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling.

A surprising and compelling journey into the business of paranormal investigation, and the state of scientific literacy in America.

In 2010, a sleepy small-town business plaza in rural New Hampshire rented space to an unusual tenant: a ghost laboratory. The Kitt Research Initiative’s mission was to use the scientific method to document the existence of spirits. Founder Andy Kitt was known as a straight-shooter; and was unafraid — perhaps eager — to offend other paranormal investigators by exposing the fraudulence of their less advanced techniques. Kitt’s efforts attracted flocks of psychics, alien abductees, witches, mediums, ghost hunters, UFOlogists, cryptozoologists and warlocks from all over New England, and the world. And there were plenty of them around.

The Ghost Lab tells the astonishing story of the wild ecosystem of paranormal profiteers and consumers. But it also reveals how the twin scourges of declining scientific literacy and eroding trust in institutions have created space for armies of pseudoscientists to step into the minds of an increasingly credulous public.

With his distinct voice, eye for a story and ability to show how one community’s experience reflects that of a society, Matt Hongoltz-Hetling crafts a powerful narrative about just how fragmented our understanding of what is real–and what is not–has become. – PublicAffairs

Monsters and mayhem in cross-stitch : designs & instructions for 25 creatures & cryptids / designs and artwork by Nicole LaBranche ; written by April LaBranche.

A fantastically fun cross-stitch book that brings legendary creatures to life, one stitch at a time!

Featuring 25 captivating patterns for all skill levels, this collection invites crafters to enjoy hours of imaginative stitching. From legendary beasts like fire-breathing dragons and mischievous goblins to modern cryptids such as Big Foot and Mothman, these whimsical designs are sure to delight both avid stitchers and fans of fantasy.

More than just a pattern book, each design comes complete with expert stitch guidance, a photo of the completed project, and a brief history (or myth) about the creature, adding a creative storytelling element to every project.

A must-have for anyone looking to bring mysterious myths, legends—and a little magic—to their stitching time! – Schiffer Publishing

Monsters of the Midwest / Jessica Freeburg & Natalie Fowler.

Grab a copy of this exciting collection of monster tales from the Midwest and discover spooky stories about a whole variety of monsters. From bigfoot, to werewolves, to swamp monsters, and giant birds, the Midwest is teeming with beasts of all shapes and sizes. Authors Jessica Freeburg and Natalie Fowler bring you 23 of the best stories from their time as paranormal investigators. Share these stories around the campfire or read them by yourself, if you’ve got the courage. – Adventure Publications

Pseudoscience : an amusing history of crackpot ideas and why we love them / Lydia Kang, MD, Nate Pedersen.

From the easily disproved to the wildly speculative, to  straight-up hucksterism, Pseudoscience is a romp through much more than bad science—it’s a light-hearted look into why we insist on believing in things such as Big Foot, astrology, and the existence of aliens. Did you know, for example, that you can tell a person’s future by touching their butt? Rumpology. It’s a thing, but not really. Or that Stanley Kubrick made a fake moon landing film for the US government? Except he didn’t. Or that spontaneous human combustion is real? It ain’t, but it can be explained scientifically.

Pseudoscience is a wild mix of history, pop culture, and good old fashioned science–that not just entertains, but sheds a little light on why we all love to believe in things we know aren’t true. – Workman Publishing Company

The secret history of Bigfoot : field notes on a north American monster / John O’Connor

From the shrouded forests of the Pacific Northwest to off-the-wall cryptozoological conventions, one man searches high and low for the answer to the question: real or not, why do we want to believe?

Bigfoot is an instantly recognizable figure. Through the decades, this elusive primate has been featured in movies and books, on coffee mugs, beer koozies, car polish, and CBD oil. Which begs the question: what is it about Bigfoot that’s caught hold of our imaginations?

Journalist and self-diagnosed skeptic John O’Connor is fascinated by Sasquatch. Curious to learn more, he embarks on a quest through the North American wilds in search of Bigfoot, its myth and meaning. Alongside an eccentric cast of characters, he explores the zany and secretive world of “cryptozoology,” tracking Bigfoot through ancient folklore to Harry and the Hendersons, while examining the forces behind our ever-widening belief in the supernatural. As O’Connor treks through the shrouded forests of the Pacific Northwest, listens to firsthand accounts, and attends Bigfoot conventions, he’s left wondering―what happens when the lines between myth and reality blur? – Sourcebooks

The tomb of the mili mongga : fossils, folklore, and adventures at the edge of reality / Samuel Turvey.

A fossil expedition becomes a thrilling search for a mythical beast deep in the Indonesian forest – and a fascinating look at how fossils, folklore, and biodiversity converge.

A tale of exciting scientific discovery, The Tomb of the Mili Mongga tells the story of Samuel Turvey’s expeditions to the island of Sumba in eastern Indonesia. While there, he discovers an entire recently extinct mammal fauna from the island’s fossil record, revealing how islands support some of the world’s most remarkable biodiversity, and why many of these unique endemic species are threatened with extinction or have already been lost.

But as the story unfolds, an unexpected narrative emerges – Sumba’s Indigenous communities tell of a mysterious wildman called the ‘mili mongga’, a giant yeti-like beast that supposedly lives in the island’s remote forests. What is behind the stories of the mili mongga? Is there a link between this enigmatic entity and the fossils that Sam is looking for? And what did he discover when he finally found the tomb of a mili mongga?

Combining evolution, anthropology, travel writing and cryptozoology, The Tomb of the Mili Mongga explores the relationship between biodiversity and culture, what reality means from different cultural perspectives, and how folklore, fossils and conservation can be linked together in surprising ways. – Bloomsbury Sigma

The United States of cryptids : a tour of American myths and monsters / J.W. Ocker.

The United States of Cryptids: A Tour of American Myths and Monsters is a fascinating and fully illustrated journey through the weird world of American cryptids, from iconic creatures like Bigfoot and Mothman to bizarre local legends most people have never heard of. Written by travel writer and folklore enthusiast J. W. Ocker, this entertaining nonfiction guide explores the myths, sightings, history, and communities surrounding America’s most mysterious monsters.

Travel state by state through the hidden corners of American folklore and discover:

The Jersey Devil haunting the Pine Barrens

The Flatwoods Monster of West Virginia

Michigan’s terrifying Nain Rouge

South Carolina’s Lizard Man

Washington’s Batsquatch

Countless regional creatures, lake monsters, goblins, beasts, and unexplained legends

More than just a monster encyclopedia, The United States of Cryptids explores why communities embrace these legends through festivals, museums, roadside attractions, local pride, and spooky storytelling traditions. Whether you believe in cryptids or simply love folklore and weird Americana, this book offers a fun, atmospheric look at the stories people continue to tell about the unknown.

Packed with illustrations, historical context, cultural trivia, and humor, this comprehensive guide is perfect for paranormal fans, Halloween readers, road-trip dreamers, and anyone fascinated by the strange side of American history.

Pack your flashlight, keep an eye on the woods, and start your cryptid tour across America. – Quirk Books