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Skunk Ape

Last reviewed Oct 25, 2026 Next review Nov 9, 2026

Painted illustration: shaggy reddish ape-like creature among saw palmettos in the Florida Everglades — AI rendition based on witness descriptions, not an actual photo.

Statue depicting the Florida Skunk Ape — Statue depicting the Florida Skunk Ape · MikesMegapixels · CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons) · Image source · License

A smelly, ape-like creature reported in the Florida Everglades.

Disputed Verdict: Unproven; the photos can't be traced.

Region: North America · US East & Midwest · United States
First reports: 1960s–70s Florida reports

Key sightings

2000: two anonymous photos of an ape-like creature were sent to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.

Best evidence

Anonymous photos; the letter writer feared it was an escaped orangutan.

Sources

Wikipedia: Skunk ape ↗