ENVIRONMENT

Our favorite lumbering ape-man, Bigfoot, has been spotted again—this time, hanging out near bison in Yellowstone National Park, according to a new video. (National Geographic News)

Use our resources to learn more about cryptozoology.

Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit.

Queue the video up to about 2:55 and look behind the bison to see what all the fuss is about.

DISCUSSION IDEAS

• How did the geneticists in the Nat Geo News article apply scientific analysis to the legend of Bigfoot?
  • Scientists tested hairs purported to have come from the giant ape. They extracted DNA from the hair and tested the it against known species. The hair belonged to bears and other well-known animals.

• What DNA evidence would actually support the existence of Bigfoot?
  • Scientists could test unknown hair, extract DNA, and fail to match it to any known animal. They may link some genetic markers to primates such as humans, chimpanzees, or orangutans, which would suggest the unknown animal was a primate. This has not happened.

• Take a look at the 2008 map of Bigfoot sightings above, or take a look at the Geographic Database of Bigfoot/Sasquatch Sightings and Reports. Where do the majority of Bigfoot sightings take place? What might be some reasons for this? (In other words, describe Bigfoot’s habitat.)
  • Most Bigfoot sightings seem to be recorded in western states, such as Washington, Oregon, and California.
  • Many sightings seem to take place in areas with undeveloped forests. As a top predator, the Bigfoot species would need huge swaths of undisturbed territory to support a healthy breeding population.

• Do you think Yellowstone National Park supports a Bigfoot-friendly ecosystem?
  • Yellowstone definitely supports a healthy forest ecosystem, although there have been very few Bigfoot sightings there.

• What is cryptozoology? Read our short article on Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster, for some help.
  • Cryptozoology is the study of animals whose existence has not been proven.

• Besides Bigfoot and Nessie, can you think of other cryptids?
  • Some answers might include the Skunk Ape, indigenous to Florida . . . Chupacabras, indigenous to Latin America . . . Champ, indigenous to Lake Champlain . . . the Mongolian death worm, indigenous to the Gobi Desert . . . the Wendigo, indigenous to the Great Lakes region . . .
  • Use our MapMaker Interactive and Wikipedia’s handy list of utterly unverified cryptids. Make your own Cryptid Cartograph! We’ll get you started!

TEACHERS’ TOOLKIT

Nat Geo: Watch: ‘Bigfoot’ Spotted in Yellowstone National Park?

Nat Geo: Loch Ness Monster Sighted

MapMaker Interactive: Cryptid Cartograph map