31 Monsters of October, Day 26: "Wild Men": Sasquatch, Yeti, etc.

Real World Origin:
Folklore (Worldwide)

In-Universe Description:
According to Native American legends, large ape-like bipeds have long inhabited the Pacific Northwest. Although the legends exist among a variety of tribes, the Salish language has given the creature its most famous name; "Sésquac", meaning "Wild Man". This has since been anglicized as "Sasquatch". The creature has been described in many different ways, although its size usually ranges from human height to 10 feet tall. It's said to be covered in dark hair, to have a gorilla-like skull, and to have large feet (hence the common name "Bigfoot"). The creature's behavior is often described as peaceful and shy, although some say they have been attacked by a Sasquatch. A common claim is that Bigfoot has a strong unpleasant odor.

There have been a number of purported sightings of Bigfoot throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, as well as photos and casts of large footprints. Among the most famous evidence for Bigfoot is the Patterson-Gimlin film, although the film has been declared a hoax by various experts over the years and several have come forward with claims that they helped to produce the hoax.

The Yeti (sometimes called the "Abominable Snowman"), an apparent cousin of the Sasquatch, has long existed in Tibetan and Nepalese indigenous folklore. The name Yeti may come from the Tibetan word "Meh-teh", which means "man-bear". Another Tibetan name for the creature is "Migoi", which means "Wild Man".

Although the Yeti is often depicted in popular culture as having white hair, those who claim to have seen it say that its hair is dark. Most witness say they've found enormous footprints in the snow. One of the most famous of these witness was Sir Edmund Hillary, who became world-renowned for being one of the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

Another famous ape-man is the Skunk Ape of the Southern United States. The creature is mostly seen in Florida, North Carolina, and Arkansas. Like Bigfoot and the Yeti, the Skunk Ape is said to be bipedal. As its name suggests, the creature is best known for its foul smell.