On this episode of Expanded Perspectives the guys talk to friends and colleagues Micah Hanks, Dakota Waddell and Jeff smith about their new podcast "Sasquatch Tracks". Sasquatch Tracks examines the question of whether large undiscovered species may still exist, with special emphasis on the Sasquatch in North America, and similar claims of apelike “relict hominoids” and other animals purported to exist around the world.

Their approach is critically minded, yet open to the possibility that the world of zoology may have kept a few secrets–possibly even big ones–well into the modern era. As recently as 1976, discoveries like the megamouth shark by a U.S navy research vessel near Oahu, Hawaii, have shown that some large species have indeed managed to elude us. Similar discoveries like the okapi (Okapia johnstoni) in 1901, as well as the mountain gorilla (Gorilla gorilla beringei) the following year in 1902 have turned up new specimens that surprised scientists and expanded our knowledge of the natural world.

The study of cryptozoology entails the scientific search for animals, both great and small, that remain undiscovered by science. Some discoveries may come out of the blue, with a previously unrecognized specimen turning up in the wild, or even in existing museum collections of fossils retrieved decades beforehand. Other times, the cultural traditions and folklore of indigenous groups may provide scientists with clues about new, undiscovered species. Unfortunately, cryptozoology is often deemed “pseudoscience” on account of its association with fantastic claims; these are often presented in a sensational way that offers little incentive for serious biologists, anthropologists, zoologists, or other professionals who otherwise might be interested in at least considering such topics.

All of this and more on this installment of Expanded Perspectives!

Music:

• All music for Expanded Perspectives is provided by Epidemic Sound!