The Skunk Ape
Florida's Bigfoot lives in the swamps. Named for its terrible smell, the Skunk Ape has been reported for a century. The 'Myakka photographs' remain hotly debated.
Deep in the Florida Everglades lurks the Skunk Ape, a regional relative of Bigfoot known for its particularly offensive odor. For nearly a century, witnesses have reported encounters with this swamp-dwelling cryptid.
The Creature
According to documented accounts, the Skunk Ape is described as:
- 6-7 feet tall (smaller than Pacific Northwest Bigfoot)
- Covered in reddish-brown or black hair
- Standing upright like a human
- Possessing an overwhelming, skunk-like odor
- Primarily nocturnal
- Living in the Everglades and other Florida swamps
The smell is the creature’s most distinctive characteristic—witnesses describe it as a combination of rotten eggs, skunk, and methane.
History of Sightings
Reports date back to at least the 1920s:
1920s-1960s: Scattered reports from hunters and swamp dwellers 1971: A rash of sightings in Dade County drew media attention 1974: Multiple sightings around the Big Cypress Swamp 1997-present: Increased reports, possibly due to easier communication
Sightings cluster in:
- The Everglades
- Big Cypress National Preserve
- Myakka River State Park
- Rural areas of southern Florida
The Myakka Photographs
In 2000, an anonymous letter and two photographs were sent to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Department. The writer, claiming to be an elderly woman, described an ape-like creature stealing apples from her backyard.
The photographs show:
- A large, hairy, ape-like creature
- Crouching in palmetto bushes
- Looking toward the camera
- Features consistent with witness descriptions
The Myakka photos remain controversial:
- Proponents cite their quality and detail
- Skeptics suggest they could be a person in a costume
- The anonymous source prevents verification
Evidence
Physical evidence includes:
Footprint Casts: Three-toed and four-toed prints have been found, though analysis is disputed
Hair Samples: Some collected, but testing has been inconclusive
Recordings: Audio of alleged Skunk Ape vocalizations exist
Photographs/Video: Various quality, none definitive
The Smell
The creature’s overwhelming odor is central to many accounts:
- Has been compared to hydrogen sulfide
- Some suggest it’s a defensive mechanism
- Others propose it comes from living in swamps
- The smell often precedes visual sighting
Scientists note that the swamps themselves produce sulfurous gases, which might contribute to or explain the odor reports.
Possible Explanations
Escaped Primates: Florida has a history of escaped exotic animals. A breeding population of apes could theoretically exist in the Everglades.
Misidentified Bears: Florida black bears walking upright could be mistaken for an ape, though this doesn’t explain the extreme odor.
Unknown Species: Some suggest an undiscovered great ape or human relative.
Elaborate Hoax: Skeptics point to the tourism potential of such a creature in Florida.
Research and Tourism
The Skunk Ape has become part of Florida folklore:
- The “Skunk Ape Research Headquarters” operates in Ochopee
- Tours offer Skunk Ape expeditions into the swamps
- Local businesses embrace the creature
- Television programs have investigated
Whether the Skunk Ape is real or legend, it has become an enduring part of Florida’s weird and wonderful culture.