10 mysterious cryptids of Asia (Part 1)

by Joan Seth

From the snowy mountains to the deep ocean, many people claim to have witnessed or found evidence pointing to an "animal", which they believe it to be "undiscovered".

The science behind the study of unknown animals is called Cryptozoology. Here is a rundown of 10 mysterious animals that are said to reside in Asia. Part two coming soon.

1)Yeren



The Yeren (literally means "Wild Man" in Chinese) is said to be a primate-like creature that is found in the Hubei region of China.

Authorities there have records of up to 400 sightings since the 1920s. Since then, the local government has supported the locals on studies of this animal. Funding and support were given to scientists to find any concrete evidence of this animal. Till date, no one has ever done so.

Click here for an video on the Yeren

Click here for an another video on the Yeren


2) Sigbin



The Sigbin is said to come out at night in the Philippines to suck blood from victims' shadows. People have said that it resembles a hornless goat with very long ears and a long tail used as a whip. It is also said to emit a nauseating odor, while walking with its head lowered between its hind legs.

The animal will seek children during Holy Week, to kill for their hearts. According to the locals, there are some powerful people who are able to control these animals and thus able to keep them as pets. If done so, the Sigbin is said to bring wealth and luck to its owners.

3) Bukit Timah Monkey Man



Commonly known as the BTM, this creature is said to reside in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve in Singapore. Sightings of this animal are very rare. Most of the local accounts come from Malay folklore, sightings by Japanese soldiers during World War II and in recent years, from the local residents.

Recent local sightings state that it mainly comes out at night in the nature reserve, walking around, presumably looking for food. However, experts agree that this has been a case of mistaken identity; instead, the local sightings refer to the Rhesus Macaque Monkeys that dwell commonly in the area.

Click here for an article on the Bukit Timah Monkey Man

4) Con Rit



This monstrosity is said to dwell in the seas of the South East Asia region. Throughout the ages there have been numerous sightings of Con Rit. In 1899, there was a report that some sailors observed a sea monster that possessed an immense number of fins, and measured about 45 metres long. It managed to swim and keep pace with the ship for half an hour.

Long ago, people thought that giant squid were the stuff of myths and legends, until real giant squid were captured and documented. What are the odds that a giant centipede resides in the oceans, awaiting discovery by science?

5) Ishii



This is a legendary sea monster that is found in Japan. According to legend, Issie was a white mare which had a little foal, and they lived together on the shore of lake Ikeda. However, one day, the foal was kidnapped by a samurai.

Issie jumped into the lake to find her child, and in her despair she transformed into a giant, saurian beast, which since then frequently surfaces,trying to find her lost child.

This monster is described to be saurian in appearance, which means it looks like a reptile (probably a lizard). Saurians also included extinct dinosaur-like creatures.

6) Ahool


The Ahool is said to be a giant bat-like creature found in Indonesia. Others describe it as a flying primate or a living pterosaur.

It is described as having an ape-like head with large dark eyes, large claws on its forearms, and a body of gray fur. The most intriguing and astounding feature is that it is said to have a wingspan of 3 m. This is almost twice as long as the largest (known) bat in the world, the common flying fox.

Experts believe that the sightings of this creature are actually large Earless Owls.

7) Orang Pendek



Indonesian for “Short Person”, this is supposedly a primate-like creature that dwells in the forests of Sumatra. It has been sighted and documented for at least the past hundred years. Sightings specify that this creature has short fur and stands up to 1.5 meters tall.

The most number of sightings occur within the Kerinci regency of central Sumatra and the borders of Taman Nasional Kerinci Seblat. Some of the common characteristics of this animal reported by eyewitnesses include that it is largely herbivorous, is short legged with long arms, have been spotted in trees and underwater. Some people even claim to see it fly!

Click here for an article on the Orang Pendek

8) Phaya Naga



The Phaya Naga are said to be serpent-like creatures that live in the Mekong river in Laos. The Naga fireballs are attributed to these creatures.

Local Lao folklore states that the Phaya Naga are protectors of Vientiane and Laos. The myth of the Phaya Naga is incorporated extensively into Lao iconography and in Lao culture.

Experts believe that they could be overgrown giant mottled eels, a yet to be discovered species of eel or just methane.

9) Lake Tianchi Monster



This is the name given to a lake monster that dwells in Heaven Lake in Jilin Province of China and Pyanggang Province in North Korea.

In 1903, an sighting claimed that a large buffalo-like creature attacked 3 people, but after the creature was shot 6 times, it escaped into the water.

Recent reports describe the monster as having a humanoid head attached to a 1.5 meter long neck. It is said to have grey and smooth skin.

Click here for an another video on the Lake Tianchi Monster

10) Mongolian Death Worm



Eyewitnesses accounts describe it as a bright red worm that can grow up to 1.5 meters long. It is difficult to tell its head from its tail, as it has no visible eyes, nostrils or mouth.

The locals also claim that it has the ability to spit sulphuric acid and discharge electricity which can easily kill a human. Touching it directly will also cause instant death. Least to say, the locals are understandably afraid of it, and aim to steer clear of it.

Scientists reject the possibility that such creatures exist, because of the improbably large numbers necessary to maintain a breeding population and because climate and food supply issues make their survival in reported habitats unlikely.

Click here for an another video on the Mongolian Death Worm