Cephalopods

Public interest in Bigfoot, Yeti, and living dinosaurs never seems to wane, and this book is the latest in a number of works on cryptozoology. Divided into eight chapters and then arranged alphabetically by animal, it covers 93 cryptids—everything from giant lizards to the pygmy rhinoceros. Some are animals in places they should not be, for example, wolverines in Britain and kangaroos running wild in the U.S. Besides the standards, such as Sasquatch and Nessie, there are entries for animals thought to be extinct, including the dodo bird and ivory-billed woodpecker. Each entry contains history, a chronology of sightings, possible explanations, and further readings. The work concludes with a “Who’s Who in Cryptozoology,” which lists important individuals and organizations; a glossary; a selected bibliography; and an index. The glossary is especially useful in defining terms that may not be familiar, for example, cephalopods, dracontology, and xenarthrans. Author Newton also wrote Encyclopedia of Cryptozoology: A Global Guide to Hidden Animals and Their Pursuers McFarland, 2005, which contains entries for more than 1,500 animals in straight A–Z arrangement. Although Hidden Animals has some updated information, much of the text seems to have come straight from the earlier work, including at least one see reference “See Octopus giganteus below” that makes little sense given the book’s arrangement. Still, it is a fascinating work that will find favor with any reader interested in cryptozoology. Recommended especially for public and high-school libraries where patrons are interested in the subject and where Encyclopedia of Cryptozoology is not part of the collection. ...