Return of the Yeti
Much like Sasquatch lurks in the forests of the Pacific Northwest and the Abominable Snowman prowls the snowcapped Himalayas, a beast of similar ilk haunts the Everglades. The skunk ape, Florida’s Bigfoot, is a humanoid, bipedal primate that supposedly stinks to high heaven. It’s omnivorous, feasting on anything from indigenous flora like hog plums and leather ferns to fauna like lizards and wild hogs. In Ochopee, the skunk ape is more than just an urban legend; it has its own research center, cleverly disguised as an Everglades souvenir shop.
Growing up, resident skunk-ape expert and Everglades native David Shealy heard rumors of a creature covered in hair, standing upright, and smelling like a skunk. Since the tender age of 10, Shealy has dedicated his life to exposing this transient rapscallion, collecting immeasurable amounts of data and clues. According to Shealy, between seven and nine skunk apes exist in the Everglades, and he has recorded three confirmed sightings to date. Male skunk apes can reach seven feet in height and weigh up to 350 pounds, while females top out at six feet and 250 pounds.
Info
Address 40904 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, FL 34141, +1 239.695.2275, www.skunkape.biz | Hours Daily 7am–6pm| Tip You’re going to need fuel when hunting for the elusive skunk ape. Stop by Joanie’s Blue Crab Cafe (39395 Tamiami Trail E) and enjoy some traditional Everglades fare. Try the Swamp Combo, complete with frog legs and gator nuggets.
You too can stalk the fleeting skunk ape, should you find yourself in Ochopee. Supposedly their habitat changes with the season. In the early fall, it’s said they can be found in saw palmetto hammocks searching for berries, while in the winter, they’re more likely to be seen in oak forests on the hunt for acorns. Their mating season is during the summer when the Everglades flood, so to increase your chances of a sighting, an elevated platform is suggested.
In the grand scheme of things, unfortunately, the odds of actually seeing a skunk ape are slim to none. Fortunately, a slice of old-fashioned, mysterious Americana still thrives in the remote wetlands of Collier County.
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