In Maine we have no shortage of strange, from stores shaped like blueberries to eerie stories of (reported) UFO abductions. BUT, one of the strangest things about Maine is the many reported sightings of mysterious animals. There have been sightings of giant half-man, half-animal beasts from almost every region in the state and whether they're real or not has yet to be proven. Wherever you stand in the debate about whether these reports are bogus, at least we have one institution dedicated to doing the research: The International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland!

Cryptozoology is the study of hidden or unknown animals.

These animals are typically larger and are mainly unverified by any sort of science. Examples are things like Yetis, Bigfoot, Lake Monsters, and Sea Serpents.

There are also hundreds of other yet-to-be-found animals. These are known as cryptids and exist worldwide.

Cryptozoology also refers to the study of animals that have only recently been discovered, such as the coelacanth, okapi, megamouth shark, and giant panda.

The primary mission of the International Cryptozoology Museum is to "educate, inform, and share cryptozoological evidence, artifacts, replicas, and popular cultural items with the general public, media, students, scholars, and cryptozoologists from around the world."

Loren Coleman, the museum's director, opened the operation in 2003 and moved to a public location in 2009.

One of the most notable exhibits is the Coelacanth, which is perhaps the most photographed specimen in the museum. At 5.5 ft long, this lifesize model is based on the creature found in Africa in 1938.

The museum is the result of five decades of field research, travel, and dedication to gathering materials, native art, as well as various samples proving the existence of different animals.

Smaller specimens make up some of the most interesting exhibits.

There are actual hair samples of Abominable Snowmen, Bigfoot, Yowie, and Orang Pendek.

Samples from the museum have even been featured on three television series: In Search Of, MonsterQuest, and Mysteries at the Museum.

Some of the exhibits are man-made to show the more elusive animals, such as this one-of-a-kind movie prop, "FeeJee Mermaid," which was created for the 1999 A&E film, "P. T. Barnum."

Pieces have been collected from near and far and a walk through the museum will prove that the world is truly full of oddities.

Over the past few years, the museum has expanded.

New exhibits include the Dover Demon, the Montauk Monster, the Jersey Devil, Thylacine, Coelacanth, and the Napes/Skunk Apes.

While some may not believe in the existence of some of the attractions found here, it's worth a visit if only to challenge your own beliefs about the world.

You just might learn that you're not quite as certain about what's real and what's not real than you thought.

We hope this little guy is real and that we find him the next time we're at camp.

While the museum is certainly strange, it exists, in part for a wonderful reason. Loren realized that cryptozoology can be a "gateway science" for young people.

For many, future interest in things like biology, zoology, the study of wildlife, anthropology, ecology, marine science, and conservation depend on being interested in science at a young age. This museum fills a necessary educational, scientific, and natural history gap in the learning that was available to some people and might still exist today for some kids.

Take a visit to the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland at 4 Thompson’s Point Road, Suite 106, Portland, Maine 04102. On-site parking is available. Learn more on their website or on Facebook.

If you can't get enough of the Maine weird, check out one of our most favorite articles of all time: The Weirdest Places You Can Possibly Go In Maine!