The many feet of the most famous cryptid
GHENT, WV (WVNS) — Whether you believe in it or not, Bigfoot is the name of a cryptid that many people recognize.
However Bigfoot is not the only term used to refer to the creature.
The wild and not-so-wonderful cryptids of West Virginia
Some commonly recognized names for the supernatural creature include Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Yeti, and Skunk Ape, which is a version of bigfoot reportedly found in Florida, and the name comes from the creature’s supposed smell.
According to the book The United States of Cryptids: A Tour of American Myths and Monsters by J.W. Ocker on page 247, the name of the cryptid is rarely Bigfoot even though many states have had a reported Bigfoot sighting.
The creature’s name varies, not only from across the United States but also across the world. A few names include: the Momo in Missouri, a shortened version of Missouri Monster, Ohio has the Ohio Grassman, New Hampshire’s version are wood devils, Alabama has the White Thang, the Honey Island Swamp Monster in Louisiana, Knobby in North Carolina, Sasquatch around the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada, and the Himalayas refer to it as the Yeti or the Abominable Snowman.
Which West Virginia counties have the most Bigfoot sightings?
No matter what version of the name people choose to call Bigfoot, the various versions tend to agree on a few details such as it being a large, hairy, ape-like, humanoid creature.
While these might only be a few of the names that refer to the large, hairy, human-like cryptids, the name variations come from how they came to be known as Bigfoot.
Journalist Andrew Genzoli reported that loggers had found massive human footprints in Bluff Creek, California in 1958. Because the only detail about what made the footprints were their size, they called the creature ‘Bigfoot’. Had a different detail been discovered about the cryptid, the term Bigfoot may not have become as widely known as it is today.
These are not the only states to have reported Bigfoot sightings either. The Fouke Monster had its first reported sightings in 1971, and was a bit different than some other bigfoot sightings as the cryptid reportedly left scratches on one of the witnesses. The Fouke Monster’s story was also turned into a movie The Legend of Boggy Creek, that was released in 1972 and made an estimated $25 million.
One of West Virginia’s most unusual cryptids
Oregon might not be the top state when it comes to Bigfoot sightings, however it does have something that makes it unique. The state has its very own Bigfoot trap. Built in 1974 by the (now nonexistent) North American Wildlife Research Team (NAWRT), the Bigfoot trap is around 10 feet by ten feet with a mesh door, and is secured with metal bands and anchored with telephone poles. Although Bigfoot was never caught, the trap remains.
With the 1958 sightings and the addition of the term ‘Bigfoot’, the popularity of the cryptid rose until it became one of the most well-known types of cryptid, no matter the exact name. From foot casts, to photos, to videos, Bigfoot’s fame and popularity rose after the alleged sighting as people became increasingly interested in the cryptid and cryptozoology as a whole.
So, next time you are out int the woods, make sure to keep an eye out for the many feet of Bigfoot.
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