Creatures, Myths & Legends

Scientist proposes conventional explanation for sightings of Bigfoot

By T.K. Randall
February 5, 2023 ·  89 comments

Does Bigfoot really exist ? Image Credit: CC BY 2.0 Oregon Department of Transportation When it comes to cryptozoological mysteries, only the Loch Ness Monster is more widely known and debated than Bigfoot - a tall, bipedal hominid said to roam the forests of North America.

But is there really an unknown species of primate wandering around - somehow undiscovered by science against all odds - or is there some other explanation for what people have been seeing ?

According to data scientist Floe Foxon, the answer is obvious - reports of Bigfoot can simply be attributed to sightings of black bears walking around on their hind legs.

It's an idea that has been floated around before and while some witnesses remain adamant that what they saw was no bear, it is likely to explain at least some Bigfoot encounters.

Black bears normally walk around on all-fours, but they can sometimes walk upright on two legs - creating the impression of a tall bipedal creature wandering through the trees.If you only caught a glimpse of one through the foliage, you might very well think it was Bigfoot.

That said, many witnesses are experienced hunters who would likely be able to tell the difference between a black bear and a large bipedal hominid creature.

Foxon's data links high numbers of Bigfoot sightings with large black bear populations in certain states, although this trend does not always hold up as, for example, some states see a large number of Bigfoot sightings despite having very little in the way of a bear population.

"Notably, Sasquatch sightings have been reported in states with no known breeding black bear populations," he said.

"Although this may be interpreted as evidence for the existence of an unknown hominid in North America, it is also explained by misidentification of other animals (including humans), among other possibilities."

Source: Science Alert | Comments (89)

Tags: Bigfoot