Creepy Critters and Cryptids

What is a cryptid?

• A creature, unknown to science, claimed to exist in nature.

• A type of dessert that has subtle, almost unknown, flavors

• A monster from a fairy tale or myth known to be fake

• A fanatic of cryptocurrencies and NFTs

Answer explanation

Those who study cryptids refer to themselves as cryptozoologists--or "secret animal studiers".

"Extraterrestrial" comes from "extra-" and "terrestrial". What is the literal meaning?

• Too much dirt

• Beyond Earth

• From outer space

• Additional Earths

Answer explanation

Extra- means "beyond" and "terrestial" is an adjective for things related to Earth.

What is folklore?

• Made-up stories designed to scare children from going out into the woods at night.

• Religious traditions from a long time ago that have resurfaced in recent years.

• Belief in hoaxes and conspiracy theories that lead one to an incorrect worldview.

• The traditional stories, sayings, dances, or other cultural artifacts of a group of people.

Answer explanation

Folklorists study the beliefs and practices of small cultural groups, such as residents of a particular city or even neighborhood, as well as of larger groups.

What was the Cold War?

• A period of high tension between the United States and the Soviet Union.

• A war fought between the United States and Russia in the Arctic.

• A conflict fought over the winter of 1954 between residents of a West Virginia town.

• A nuclear exchange between the United States and the Soviet Union that led to nuclear winter.

Answer explanation

The Cold War is called that because it never escalated to actual fighting between the US and USSR--that is, it never heated up.

What is skepticism?

• Denial of reality by someone delusional.

• Fear of supernatural beings and events.

• Doubt as to the truth of something.

• Distrust of authority figures.

Answer explanation

Skepticism involves critical thinking, and can be a healthy approach to claims made by people. Questioning never hurts, and if it's true, you'll figure that out by looking into things!

Which of the following are cryptids?

• Bigfoot

• Loch Ness Monster

• Chupacabra

• Demons

• Flatwoods Monster

Answer explanation

Cryptids are thought by those who believe in them to be natural animals, not sentient beings or supernatural creatures.

What differentiates cryptids from extraterrestials visitors?

• Cryptids are fictional animals, while extraterrestial visitors are real.

• Cryptids are claimed to be natural animals, extraterrestial visitors are claimed to be intelligent beings.

• Cryptids are real animals, while extraterrestial visitors are fake.

• There is no difference.

Answer explanation

Some, though, will claim certain cryptids are actually alien, and the terms are often blurred.

What percentage of Americans, in 2022, believe aliens are responsible for UFOs?

• 15%

• 34%

• 65%

• 75%

Answer explanation

The remaining two-thirds is split evenly between thinking UFOs are manmade or not being sure what UFOs are.

During the Cold War, there was a surge of UFO sightings in the United States. What is the most likely explanation?

• Russian aircraft kept getting spotted by average Americans.

• Cold War fears and paranoia in combination with real military experimental aircraft.

• Aliens were visiting Earth to observe us during this period, but have slowed down since.

• Aliens contacted world governments and were visiting to negotiate.

Answer explanation

The Cold War period, especially in the 1950s, was notable for an increase in suspicion and paranoia.

Those who study UFOs are called UFOlogists, a type of pseudoscience. Based on the prefix "pseudo-" what is the most accurate definition of pseudoscience?

• A type of unpopular science.

• A non-genuine or fake form of science

• Something that is beyond science.

• A highly advanced form of scientific understanding.

Answer explanation

Pseudosciences do not follow the scientific method, but often pretend to.