The “Floriduh man” idea may be closer to reality than people realize. A little place called Ochopee, Florida, has a research center dedicated to studying the skunk ape, Florida’s version of Bigfoot. You can even visit the center to learn about them for yourself. Here’s what we know.
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The skunk ape is a mythical creature said to inhabit the state’s swamps and forests. It is described as a large, furry, orange-brown-haired, bipedal being with a foul odor, often likened to rotten eggs or skunk smell. The creature is believed to be smaller than Bigfoot, typically around 5-7 feet, but some say up to 12 feet and weigh around 500 pounds. Between the smell and the size, Florida Jolt does not recommend taking one home as a pet, as it’s sure to upset your HOA, Karen.
While domesticating a skunk ape may not be a great idea, visiting Ochopee sounds like a unique and fun experience. While it’s doubtful that these hairy monsters are the missing link, many people have reported seeing them. You can visit the research center and learn all about the smelly, hairy beasts, but that’s not all you can see in this unusual little place. Ochopee is home to America’s smallest post office.
The smallest operating post office in the United States is the Ochopee Post Office in Collier County, Florida. It measures approximately 61.3 square feet and is situated along U.S. Route 41 in the Everglades region. The post office was originally a storage tool shed for irrigation pipes, but it was converted into a post office in 1953 after a fire destroyed the previous one.
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The Skunk Ape Research Headquarters (40904 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, Florida), founded by Dave Shealy, serves as a museum, research hub, and tourist attraction. It offers guided tours, a gift shop, and an animal exhibit featuring local wildlife like alligators and pythons. Despite the lack of scientific evidence, the skunk ape remains a popular figure in Florida folklore. The Research Headquarters plays a significant role in studying and promoting the skunk ape phenomenon.
The center collects and displays evidence, reports, and artifacts related to skunk ape sightings. The founder, Dave Shealy, investigates reported sightings and conducts studies to gather information about the creature. The headquarters serves as a museum, offering exhibits that showcase photographs, audio recordings, and personal accounts from alleged witnesses. This helps educate visitors about the legend and ongoing research efforts.
Shealy and his team actively search for the skunk ape, using methods such as baiting areas with lima beans and conducting stakeouts in tree stands. The center brings awareness to the skunk ape through various means, including media appearances, publications, and guided tours. Shealy has written a field guide and made TV appearances to promote the subject. The facility doubles as a gift shop, adventure tour provider, and petting zoo, attracting tourists and cryptozoology enthusiasts. This helps maintain public interest in the skunk ape legend.
If you’re lucky, you may glimpse the mythical skunk ape. The most recent sightings date back to 2021 in various locations across Florida, including Naples, Inverness, and Seawalls Point. Additionally, historical sightings and evidence are still being discussed in areas like the Green Swamp and Myakka River State Park.
Is it a coincidence that “the jab” was administered to people en masse in 2021, and suddenly, there were sightings of an unknown ape-like creature? To answer that you’ll have to contact Dr. Franken Fauci. While mainstream scientists remain skeptical about the existence of the skunk ape, the Research Headquarters continues to serve as a focal point for those interested in this Florida creature, blending folklore, tourism, and amateur scientific pursuits, and lucky visitors can visit Ochopee for an unusual trip.
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