The Florida Skunk Ape
Florida's regional Bigfoot variant is distinguished by its powerful stench and affinity for the swampy wilderness of the Everglades.
The Florida Skunk Ape
The Skunk Ape is Florida’s regional variant of Bigfoot, reported primarily from the Everglades and other swampy areas of the state. Distinguished by its powerful, offensive odor, the creature has been reported since at least the 1960s and continues to generate sightings today.
Description
Witnesses describe a creature standing six to seven feet tall, covered in reddish-brown or black hair. Unlike the Pacific Northwest Sasquatch, the Skunk Ape is typically described as somewhat shorter and stockier.
The defining characteristic is its smell. Witnesses compare it to rotten eggs, methane, or decomposing organic matter. The stench is often reported before the creature is seen and can linger for hours after an encounter.
Notable Sightings
In 1974, multiple witnesses reported seeing a large, hairy creature near Homestead, Florida. The sightings continued for several weeks and attracted media attention.
In 2000, anonymous photographs were sent to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Department showing what appeared to be an ape-like creature peering over a fence. The so-called “Myakka photos” remain controversial, with some considering them evidence and others dismissing them as a person in a costume.
Habitat
The Everglades provide ideal habitat for a large, undiscovered primate. The vast wetland spans over 1.5 million acres of largely inaccessible terrain. Wildlife in the region regularly surprises scientists, and the swamp’s remoteness means much of it remains unexplored.
Investigation
The Skunk Ape has attracted both scientific interest and tourism. The Skunk Ape Research Headquarters in Ochopee, Florida, collects reports and sells merchandise. Expeditions into the Everglades seeking evidence continue.
Assessment
The Florida Skunk Ape occupies a unique niche in cryptid lore. Its distinctive smell and swamp habitat set it apart from other Bigfoot variants. Whether an undiscovered species, a misidentified known animal, or pure legend, the Skunk Ape remains part of Florida’s weird and wonderful folklore.