Sasquatch, or Bigfoot, are large, hairy creatures that supposedly roam the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Sightings have occurred since the mid-19th century, but evidence is inconclusive. Sasquatch are believed to be a type of super-primate, primarily herbivorous and intelligent but not aggressive. The existence of Sasquatch is controversial, with some considering them real beings and others claiming they are a hoax. The famous Patterson/Gimli footage is often cited as evidence, but some argue it proves nothing. Hoaxes have also been revealed, including one by Ray L. Wallace in 1958.
Sasquatch is the Native American word for large, hairy, ape-like creatures that supposedly roam the woodlands of the Pacific Northwest and Canada. There have been hundreds of sightings of Sasquatch (or Bigfoot, as they’re also known) since the mid-nineteenth century. Most of them have occurred in the Pacific Northwest, although sightings have been reported in the United States and Canada.
The existence of Sasquatch is controversial because much of the evidence is inconclusive. Some people, including scientists, consider Sasquatch to be real beings. Others claim they are a hoax. While some evidence seems to point to an actual creature, human pranksters cannot be ruled out.
The name Sasquatch is used interchangeably to mean one of the creatures or the entire species. Common belief holds that they are an unknown type of super-primate. Most sightings are believed to have been of males. Females and young are thought to exist but are few in number.
No Sasquatch has ever been captured and no complete skeletons have been found. They are said to have originated in China, where the skeletal jaws have been labeled “gigantopithicus,” or giant gorilla. Sasquatch is believed to have migrated across the Bering Sea land bridge to North America at the same time as American Indian ancestors. Sasquatch-type images have appeared in Native American rock art, and some of their traditions describe them as an enemy.
Sasquatch reportedly stand 7 to 10 feet (2 to 3 meters) tall and weigh around 500 pounds (225 kilograms). Footprint measurements of 14 to 17 inches (35 to 43 cm) were taken. Footprints reveal no arc.
Some descriptions make Sasquatch look like a gorilla: fast, agile, long arms, short legs, barrel chest, and a smooth, swinging gait. There are reports of bipedal ape-like creatures keeping pace with moving cars. Speed, gait, and stride length reinforce the belief that Sasquatch is a superior primate.
The sasquatch is said to be primarily herbivorous (plant eater), subsisting on vegetation, fruits, nuts, berries, and larvae, although fish is said to be the preferred meal. They are said to be intelligent but are not believed to use fire or tools of any kind.
The creatures have been credited with phenomenal strength, but despite their size, strength, and fearsome appearance, Sasquatches are not aggressive. Notoriously elusive, they are said to move only at night, preferring the cover of darkness.
A key element in the Sasquatch controversy is film shot by Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin, who were filming their horse habitat in Northern California in 1967. About a minute in length, the footage shows a large ape-like creature scurrying away. While the film is shaky at first and the resolution isn’t particularly high, the footage becomes clearer towards the end, with the creature fully visible.
Scientists have repeatedly analyzed this film, frame by frame. It shows no sign of a zipper (indicating a costume) and also reveals muscle movement, which a costume wouldn’t allow. Some argue that this film proves the existence of the creature; others argue that its poor resolution proves nothing.
Sasquatch has been examined from many angles. In addition to film studies and physics screenings, vocalization recordings allegedly made by the creature were analyzed for vocal tract height and length using signal processing. While the answers weren’t definitive, the results seemed to indicate that the sounds were of animal origin. It was concluded that the tapes themselves were not hoaxes, but the possibility of human vocalization on them has not been ruled out.
For every theory that claims Sasquatch is real, another calls them a hoax.
A famous hoax was revealed in the death of notorious prankster and former construction company owner Ray L. Wallace in 2002. According to his children, Wallace created the Sasquatch myth in 1958. At the time, Wallace owned a construction company. construction that was building logging roads around Humboldt, California. Concerned about vandals targeting his vehicles, he asked a friend to carve 16-inch wooden feet on which he strapped himself. Then he walked around the construction site. After being picked up by the local media, the story took on a life of its own. Afraid of getting into trouble, Wallace kept quiet.
Another famous hoax theory was put forward by director John Landis. According to him, the famous Patterson/Gimli footage was just a man dressed as an ape made by a costume designer from the movie “Planet of the Apes.” Both Patterson and Gimlin have denied the allegation.
Renowned primatologist Jane Goodall has described the Sasquatch enigma as one of the world’s great unsolved mysteries and has called for studies to definitively prove their existence.
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