Bigfoot is a legend that many people have heard about, but what do we know about the character of this creature? Stories of Bigfoot have circled around for decades, but only certain information and evidence has been reported. Many authors and storytellers have talked about the tendencies and characteristics of this beast (McLeod). Bigfoot is famously known for its massive stature and huge footprint, but there is another characteristic that popularly defines this mysterious creature: elusivity. 

Bigfoot has consistently remained a creature that seemingly hides its presence from man. One author, Loren Coleman, wrote, “They are retiring, alert, and clever, generally avoiding humans” (Coleman 7). Resultingly, and perhaps predictably, its elusive nature only fuels enthusiast’s drive to spot it. Coleman states that, “Sightings are scarcer than generally acknowledged, and close encounters in which good details are reported are extremely rare” (7). Reports of Bigfoot fleeing from the presence of humans remain persistent (Coleman). In fact, another noted Bigfoot author similarly states that “The creatures are quick and elusive, fleeing when they encounter humans” (Furek 9). Fortunately, perhaps, its behavior can also be described as “very curious but non-confrontational” (10). If this monstrous ape is real, it remains stealthily hidden away from the eyes of man. A field biologist by the name of Jim Hewkin stated in a book titled Anatomy of a Beast, written by Micheal McLeod,  “The thing about wild animals—they’re solitary. And Bigfoot is the most solitary of all” (McLeod 10). Bigfoot certainly appears to keep itself hidden much more skillfully and successfully than the average large animal. Another author wrote, “Sasquatches usually seem to take hiding from us to extreme levels. We knew that they were cautious when observing us … we realized just how stealthy they are” (Kuykendall 4). Altogether, the evidence (or lack thereof), fleeting observations, and professional writings consistently describing the cryptic nature of this creature certainly support the idea that Bigfoot remains a notoriously elusive legend. 

Next up is the famous characteristic that gives Bigfoot its namesake: an abnormally huge footprint. Bigfoot is most stereotypically known for its massive footprints that have been discovered and plastered on numerous occasions and in multiple locations. Coleman states that, “Evidence of these animals, as their name implies, is often in the form of large tracks found in the mud, sand, and snow” (Coleman 6). This is one trait that truly makes Bigfoot unique and sets it apart from all other primates, including humans. Coleman also states, “The Bigfoot foot has an hourglass outline and measures 4 to 9 inches in width by 11¾ to 20 inches in length” (6). Differences between a Bigfoot print and a human print are quite prominent, “Unlike in a human foot, halfway down the Bigfoot foot is a “split-ball” or double ball arrangement that is unique for these primates” (6). The average male human footprint is “(25.7 cm) compared to females (24.4 cm)” (Priya 4), meaning the largest human foot is still slightly smaller than the smallest average Bigfoot track. Author Maxim Furek states that “They leave footprints twice the size of humans” (Furek 10). Notably, this stark difference in foot size makes this particular characteristic of Bigfoot truly stand out. Opposingly, a trait of the foot that these sasquatch share with humans is that they are bipedal, or walk on two feet. Additionally, they also share a “metatarsal hinge in the foot” (Kuykendall 3). This allows them to walk just like humans and leave a footprint that looks strikingly similar. The amount of evidence and research concerning the size of Bigfoot’s footprint undoubtedly supports the claim that this creature has a very huge, unique, and defined footprint.

The conclusion derived from all of the available evidence and writings regarding these two specific traits is that Bigfoot is a creature that remains shrouded in mystery and leaves behind a footprint that could only be made by a massive and scientifically undocumented beast. These two traits could certainly be viewed as contrasting, because one involves a lack of physical evidence of its existence, while the other provides an abounding source of physical evidence. Nevertheless, perhaps these traits actually work in unison, demonstrating how the survival skills and the physical characteristics of Bigfoot enhance its overall ability to travel and survive in the wilderness largely undetected.