What (who) is Bigfoot - definition
![2007 photograph of the [[Bigfoot trap]] within the [[Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest]].](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Bigfoot trap.jpg?width=200 "2007 photograph of the [[Bigfoot trap]] within the [[Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest]].")
![The 2007 photo of an unidentified creature captured on a [[trail camera]].](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Croped BFRO image.jpg?width=200 "The 2007 photo of an unidentified creature captured on a [[trail camera]].")
!["Bigfoot" carving at the [[Crystal Creek Reservoir]] in Colorado.](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Pikes Peak Bigfoot P4160515.jpg?width=200 "\"Bigfoot\" carving at the [[Crystal Creek Reservoir]] in Colorado.")
![A [[tongue-in-cheek]] sign warning of Bigfoot crossings on [[Pikes Peak Highway]] in Colorado](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Pikes peak highway big foot.jpg?width=200 "A [[tongue-in-cheek]] sign warning of Bigfoot crossings on [[Pikes Peak Highway]] in Colorado")
![AI program]], with a series of [[Discord]] bot prompts describing such a creature](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Sasquatch in the woods.jpg?width=200 "AI program]], with a series of [[Discord]] bot prompts describing such a creature")
Bigfoot, also commonly referred to as Sasquatch, is a purported ape-like creature said to inhabit the forests of North America. Many dubious articles have been offered in attempts to prove the existence of Bigfoot, including anecdotal claims of visual observations as well as alleged video and audio recordings, photographs, and casts of large footprints. Some are known or admitted hoaxes. Tales of wild, hairy humanoids exist throughout the world, and such creatures appear in the folklore of North America, including the mythologies of indigenous people. Bigfoot is an icon within the fringe subculture of cryptozoology, and an enduring element of popular culture.
The majority of mainstream scientists have historically discounted the existence of Bigfoot, considering it to be the result of a combination of folklore, misidentification, and hoax, rather than a living animal. Folklorists trace the phenomenon of Bigfoot to a combination of factors and sources including indigenous cultures, the European wild man figure, and folk tales. Wishful thinking, a cultural increase in environmental concerns, and overall societal awareness of the subject have been cited as additional factors.
Other creatures of relatively similar descriptions are alleged to inhabit various regions throughout the world, such as the Skunk ape of the southeastern United States; the Almas, Yeren, and Yeti in Asia; and the Australian Yowie; all of which, like Bigfoot, are engrained in the cultures of their regions.
![Brown County Arena]] in 2015](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Bigfoot 15 jumping at Brown County Arena 2015.jpg?width=200 "Brown County Arena]] in 2015")
.jpg?width=200 "Bigfoot 4 in St. Louis")
Wikipedia
Bigfoot, also commonly referred to as Sasquatch, is an ape-like cryptid alleged by cryptozoologists and enthusiasts to inhabit the forests of North America. Dubious evidence has been offered to prove Bigfoot's existence, including anecdotal claims of sightings, photographs, video and audio recordings, hair samples, and casts of large footprints. Some of this evidence was later discovered to be hoaxes or misidentification, and scientists do not find any of the remaining evidence compelling.
Tales of wild, hairy humanoids exist throughout the world, and such creatures appear in the folklore of North America, including the mythologies of indigenous people. Bigfoot is an icon within the fringe pseudoscience of cryptozoology, and an enduring element of popular culture.
Scientists have historically discounted the existence of Bigfoot, considering it to be the result of a combination of folklore, misidentification, and hoax, rather than a living animal. Folklorists trace the phenomenon of Bigfoot to a combination of factors and sources including indigenous cultures, the European wild man figure, and folk tales. Wishful thinking, a cultural increase in environmental concerns, and overall societal awareness of the subject have been cited as additional factors.
Other creatures of relatively similar descriptions are alleged to inhabit various regions throughout the world, such as the Skunk ape of the southeastern United States; the Almas, Yeren, and Yeti in Asia; and the Australian Yowie; all of which are also engrained in the cultures of their regions.
