Editing Bigfoot (section)

====Bears====

Scientists theorize that mistaken identification of [[American black bear]]s as Bigfoot are a likely explanation for most reported sightings, particularly when observers view a subject from afar, are in dense foliage, or there are poor lighting conditions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nickell |first1=Joe |title=Bigfoot Lookalikes: Tracking Hairy Man-Beasts |url=https://skepticalinquirer.org/2013/09/bigfoot-lookalikes-tracking-hairy-man-beasts/ |website=skepticalinquirer.com |publisher=[[Skeptical Inquirer]] |access-date=April 13, 2021 |date=October 2013 |archive-date=June 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609180842/https://skepticalinquirer.org/2013/09/bigfoot-lookalikes-tracking-hairy-man-beasts/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, black bears have been observed and recorded walking upright, often as the result of an injury.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Handwerk |first1=Brian |title=Watch: Tough Bear Powers Through Injury by Walking Upright |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/walking-bears-science-animals-pedals |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413233030/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/walking-bears-science-animals-pedals |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 13, 2021 |website=nationalgeographic.com |publisher=[[National Geographic]] |access-date=April 13, 2021 |date=July 7, 2016}}</ref> While upright, adult black bears stand roughly {{convert|5|-|7|ft}},<ref>{{cite web |title=Facts about Black Bears |url=https://www.njfishandwildlife.com/pdf/bear/bearfacts_kids.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.njfishandwildlife.com/pdf/bear/bearfacts_kids.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live |website=njfishandwildlife.com |publisher=New Jersey Fish and Wildlife |access-date=April 21, 2021}}</ref> and grizzly bears roughly {{convert|8|-|9|ft}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Brown Bears |url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/bears/brown-bears.htm#:~:text=Height%3A%20About%203%E2%80%935%20feet,standing%20on%20their%20hind%20legs. |website=nps.gov |publisher=[[National Park Service]] |access-date=April 21, 2021 |archive-date=April 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421214615/https://www.nps.gov/subjects/bears/brown-bears.htm#:~:text=Height%3A%20About%203%E2%80%935%20feet,standing%20on%20their%20hind%20legs. |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to data scientist Floe Foxon, more people report seeing Bigfoot in areas with documented black bear populations. Foxon concludes, "If bigfoot is there, it may be many bears".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lattimer |first1=Dustin |title=Data scientist openly claims most Bigfoot sightings in the United States and Canada "are probably black bears" |url=https://wgnradio.com/news/bigfoot-sightings-can-be-easily-explained-scientist-says-2/ |website=wgnradio.com |publisher=[[KSNF]] |access-date=February 20, 2023 |date=February 4, 2023 |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220222223/https://wgnradio.com/news/bigfoot-sightings-can-be-easily-explained-scientist-says-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Foxon acknowledges that alleged Bigfoot sightings have been reported in areas with minimal or no known black bear populations. She states, "Although this may be interpreted as evidence for the existence of an unknown hominid in North America, it is also explained by misidentification of other animals (including humans), among other possibilities".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Casella |first1=Carly |title=Bigfoot Has a Very Simple Explanation, Scientist Says |url=https://www.sciencealert.com/bigfoot-has-a-very-simple-explanation-scientist-says |website=sciencealert.com |publisher=Science Alert |access-date=March 28, 2023 |date=January 31, 2023 |archive-date=March 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325112727/https://www.sciencealert.com/bigfoot-has-a-very-simple-explanation-scientist-says |url-status=live }}</ref>