Sightings of Bigfoot, also called Sasquatch, were first reported in parts of the United States and Canada in the mid-19th century. Since then there have been hundreds of reports of a large, hairy hominid or ape, with the distinguishing characteristic of a 16"-20" footprint. There have also been many obvious forgeries and hoaxes, suppositions about UFOs or supernatural connections and no real clear answers. Some suggest the beast is a relative of Gigantopithecus, an extinct primate of China. A famous home movie from 1967 by Roger Patterson still stands as one of the most significant -- and controversial -- pieces of visual evidence.

Similar stories from around the world about giant and elusive ape-like humans include the Yeren of China, the Yeti of the Himalaya mountains, the Yowie of Australia and the Mapinguari of South America... In December 2002 Ray Wallace of Centralia, Washington died and his family claimed that Ray started Bigfoot frenzy in 1958 when he left behind giant footprints (made with special shoes carved from alder wood) near a logging site as a practical joke.