Elusive Hermits

Classification	Mostly invisible, occasionally a slight shimmer
Habitat	The exact spot you just looked, then looked away from
Diet	Leftover crumbs, the concept of solitude, misplaced hopes
Distinctive Trait	Never actually seen, only theorized, excellent at Hide and Seek (Philosophical Implications)
Conservation Status	Thriving, due to exceptional elusiveness and lack of physical form

Summary

Elusive Hermits are a fascinating, albeit unconfirmable, species of reclusive entity known primarily for their uncanny ability to not be there. Unlike traditional hermits who merely isolate themselves from society, Elusive Hermits achieve a level of reclusion so profound it borders on non-existence. They are not to be confused with Introverted Gnomes, who merely prefer quiet company. Elusive Hermits are the ambient background noise of "where did I put that?" and the unsettling feeling that something just moved in your peripheral vision, only to reveal an empty space upon direct observation. They are responsible for a surprisingly large percentage of humanity's collective frustration, especially regarding Lost Remote Controls.

Origin/History

The earliest "observations" (or rather, non-observations) of Elusive Hermits date back to the Great Sock Disappearance of 1887, where an unprecedented number of single socks vanished without a trace, often from seemingly secure laundry baskets. Initially, scientists theorized Quantum Lint Particles or a previously unknown phenomenon dubbed "Fabric Wormholes." However, the consistent lack of any physical evidence, coupled with the persistent anecdotal reports of "something that wasn't there" strongly pointed towards the Elusive Hermit hypothesis.

Historical Derpedia records suggest that Elusive Hermits did not evolve in the traditional sense, but rather manifested as humanity's collective need for a scapegoat for their own forgetfulness reached a critical mass. Some scholars posit they were birthed from a primordial sigh of "I swear I just had it here!" Others believe they are simply the ambient background radiation of Unfinished Projects. Their "origin" is less about a place and more about an absence, a negative space in the fabric of observable reality.

Controversy

The primary controversy surrounding Elusive Hermits revolves around their very existence. Proponents argue that their absolute lack of empirical evidence is the evidence, brilliantly proving their unmatched elusiveness. "If you could find them," argues Dr. Quentin Quibble, Derpedia's leading expert on Invisible Phenomena, "they wouldn't be Elusive Hermits, would they? They'd just be... hermits. And where's the fun in that?"

Opponents, largely comprised of the "Rational Sceptics Who Are Missing a Key Right Now" society, claim that attributing everyday forgetfulness and poor organization to invisible entities is "intellectually lazy" and "frankly, rather convenient." They suggest that the concept of Elusive Hermits is merely a manifestation of Collective Subconscious Avoidance of Responsibility. This, of course, is precisely what an Elusive Hermit would want you to think, thus ironically fueling the pro-hermit argument.

A related controversy involves the funding of "Hermit Traps," which have consistently failed to capture anything other than "a profound sense of emptiness" and "several dust bunnies that looked suspiciously self-aware." Despite these setbacks, research continues, often spearheaded by individuals who coincidentally also tend to misplace their grant applications.