Did you know that the community of Bigfoot believers in Florida is, well... big? According to legend, smelly cryptids like the Sasquatch lurk in the shadows, deep in the southernmost forests of Florida. The creature’s name? The Florida Skunk Ape.
The 7-ft tall, 450-lb species is said to reside primarily in the Everglades, although there have been several sightings as far north as Sarasota.
Named after its smell — which, according to experts, is akin to swamp gas + animal cadavers — the Skunk Ape is said to be similar to the legend of Bigfoot. They’re both thought to roam in packs and be peaceful.
Florida Skunk Ape | Photo by @wfmpod
Photo by @wfmpod
Though the first reported sightings occurred in the 1950s, the story of the Skunk Ape potentially dates back to the early Muscogee and Seminole tribes that lived in the Everglades. The tribes claimed they saw “esti capcaki,” meaning “tall man,” and revered them as the protector of the forests.
Since then, many people have claimed to catch the Skunk Ape on camera. Some of the most compelling evidence can be found at the official Skunk Ape Research Headquarters in Ochopee, FL. Founder Dave Sheally (known as the Jane Goodall of the Skunk Apes) has been documenting the beasts since he was 10.
On the other side of the swamp, the National Park Service feels as though the evidence that’s been gathered on the Skunk Ape is too weak, as the information is based on eyewitness testimony.
As for whether the creature really exists, who knows? Maybe there are giant smelly hominids gallivanting through Lakeland, awaiting discovery. If you’ve spotted one, share your sighting story.
