Skunk Ape is a humanoid creature said to inhabit the wildest parts of Florida. Also known as Swamp Ape, Swampsquatch, Myakka Ape and Florida Bigfoot, this legendary being is very similar to its more famous forest-and-mountain dwelling cousin to the North, with one particular distinction… his very unique, uh, “fragrance.”
You will know Skunk Ape is present from his unmistakable odor. This is caused by his natural habits of wading in the marshes and living in old alligator dens, which are filled with swamp gases and animal carcasses. He is said to smell like rotting garbage, methane, brackish water, and of course, skunk.
While his stench may offend, Skunk Ape is said to be a friendly being. He is a gentle, curious, but shy protector of the Everglades who means no harm to those he knows respect his sacred home. I like to think of him as the wise old guardian spirit of Wild Florida, personally.
Reports of Uncle Stinky were rampant in Dade County during the 1960’s and 1970’s, as nearby development began squeezing his natural territory into smaller and smaller spaces.
While naysayers and skeptics brush off Skunk Ape sightings as a figment of imagination, many Floridians share an “I WANT TO BELIEVE” sentiment towards him. We love our Uncle Stinky and he is “real” enough in our hearts!
However, not everyone is satisfied with that conclusion. A man named Dave Shealy actually runs a Skunk Ape Research Center in Ochopee. He believes there are at least 7 individual Skunk Apes living in the Everglades today.
According to his research, male Skunk Apes stand in at 6 to 7 feet tall and can weigh up to 450 lbs, while females are significantly smaller at 5 to 6 feet and under 250 lbs. They have four toes on each foot and subsists a natural diet of berries, bird nestlings, and carrion.
If you are hoping to catch a glimpse of Uncle Stinky yourself, Dan Shealy reccomends leaving an offering of lima beans or deer liver, which are his favorite treats.
Leave a Reply