Ochopee, Florida: Skunk Ape Research Headquarters

Ground Zero for facts about a mysterious and smelly biped who stalks the Florida Everglades. Pose with the Skunk Ape statue out front.

Good picture opportunity, but mostly a gift shop. Was hoping for more of a crypto-zoology exhibit, but it was not to be.

I love cryptids, so we made sure to stop here on our way home from the Everglades. It was my favorite stop. They have a skunk ape statue along with various souvenirs that bear the resemblance of a skunk ape.

Skunk Ape Research Headquarters has a Skunk Ape statue in front of the place.

There was not much information available on the Skunk Ape, but we got a great tour of the petting zoo. The tour guide not only let us hold a baby alligator, but let the alligator bite us as well. The over 20-foot-long python was impressive, the birds and tortoises were very friendly, and the alligators in the outdoor ponds were intimidating.

The high point of our visit was the gentleman who shared with us his extensive knowledge of snakes, reptiles, and amphibians. We learned a great deal and left with a big piece of snakeskin.