Table of Contents
Where does it live?
What does it look like?
What does it eat?
Where do they sleep?
How do they interact with each other?
How do they reproduce?
What do they do in the winter? Can you lure or befriend them?
How are they differentiable from other bigfeet?
Where does it live?
Sightings are most frequent in the southwestern and northern portions of West Virginia; however, the southwestern grouping is notably more aggressive. It has been spotted most often in the Monongahela National Forest.
Yellow Gapes hide away in abandoned coal mines, tunnels, and caverns within the forest— usually all are near coal waste sites—only emerging from their abodes during sunset. The bigfeet are not particularly picky of their residences, as long as they are devoid of light and are large enough for their mate and offspring to live in comfortably. Skeletons of these beasts can be found deep within these locations; remains appear similar to human bones but are thicker, denser, and larger overall.
What does it look like?
Yellow Gapes are covered in thick, brown hair. They are one of two known species of tusked bigfoot (see "Potter Nondescript"); in Monongahela Bigfeet, two tusk-like teeth protrude from their bottom lip. Appearing like a giant, hunched man, they stand around eight ft tall and weigh between 450 and 550 lbs. They are easily identified by the loud and heavy breathing that emanates from their wide-open mouths; they are also distinguished by their intensely yellow eyes and their dragging footsteps, which create ditch-like tracks instead of discernible, human-like footprints. They are one of the more odorous bigfeet; the scent secreted under their arms is extremely potent and comparable to a combination of rotten meat, floral perfume, and sulfur.
Why does it have tusks?
Tusks intimidate other creatures but are not used in physical altercations but for marking territory and scraping bark off to eat. The teeth are bulky and often grow curved towards the head, so the bigfeet cannot close their mouths because of them. In rare instances, a Yellow Gape’s tusks may grow outwards, allowing them to comfortably close their mouths.
Why do some people call it "Yellow Gape"?
Yellow Gapes are named for their yellow eyes and ever-open, heavily breathing maws (their teeth makes it difficult for them to fully shut their mouths).
How can you tell if it is about to attack?
These bigfeet do not like coming into contact with other predators such as bears, canines, or mountain lions; they also fear lights and loud noises and will usually avoid places like cities and busy roads.
When the Monongahela feels threatened or stressed, they will growl, stand tall, and fluff their hair until it’s standing on end. This is the first big sign of aggression: "raising its hackles." The bigfoot's hair is thick and bristly; when frightened, it curls into clusters, making quill-like spikes. The coat of hair offers protection and makes the creature appear larger and more threatening.
If its display does not lessen its perceived threat, stress, or intense emotions, the bigfoot will begin building up an electrical charge. Adversaries have only a few minutes before receiving a zap. The creature can generate electrical pulses which may deliver minor/strong shocks to adversaries.
If these tactics don’t resolve the bigfoot's issue, it will attempt to flee.
How does it electrocute things?
This bigfoot has several pairs of large electricity-generating organs that can produce variable voltage charges. These organs are located throughout every section of the body and comprise a majority of the creature’s weight.
When the bigfoot becomes frightened or is hunting prey, signals are sent to these organs from the brain, opening their ion channels: sodium flows forth, producing an electric current for 0.25 - 1 second. When the creature is "charging up", other organisms' hair may stand on end (the radius depending on the charge's power). More often than not, these electric shocks are high voltage but with a low enough current to simply stun a target. However, it is not impossible for the discharge to be lethal enough to kill a large animal or human being. Powerful discharges may cause electrical malfunctions nearby.
How do they reproduce?
Mating season takes place from mid to late summer. Female Yellow Gapes will rub their bodies on trees and rocks within a male’s territory, leaving their distinguishable scent behind. Males also mark the boundaries of their territory with their scent but also cut the bark off of trees with their large tusk-like teeth.
Upon meeting, if a male is interested in a mate, they will both reside in the male’s domain. If males are disinterested in a partner, they will puff up and chase off the suitor. Male and female bigfeet stay together for the entirety of a pregnancy and their offspring’s development. The couple may stay together or split after the young leave the nest; moreover, upon separation, either bigfoot may decide to find a new partner or remain alone.
How are young raised?
Yellow Gapes give birth to 1 - 3 young in the early spring. Family units generally travel together for nightly activities such as: hunting, gathering, patrolling the perimeter, grooming, building up or cleaning a nest, and exploring outside of the family’s territory. On these outings, young learn how to provide and fend for themselves.
Yellow Gapes reach maturity at three years of age. Female offspring are permitted to reside within the territory for a prolonged amount of time, but males are usually chased out of the area once maturity is reached. After siring offspring, if a male no longer wants to be with his mate, he will leave the territory to the female, who may seek out a new mate the following season. Territory may be fought over by both sexes at any time; the winner of these altercations has the explicit right to hunt, breed, and traverse these grounds, permitting only those they allow to also do so.
Are they safe to seek out?
Yellow Gapes can become dangerous during an encounter if they are cornered or feel threatened. They will never chase after human individuals but may deliver non-lethal (or, in rare circumstances, lethal electrical pulses). Trackers of this species should keep their distance, turn off all lights, and remain quiet. Valuable equipment and vehicles should be stored in a different location due to the possibility of electrical damage.
Can they affect my electronics?
Run-ins with Yellow Gape have often resulted in electronic malfunctions or the complete, interior destruction of electrical objects, such as: streetlights or lamps flickering/bursting, cars shutting off, cell phones dying, and appliances turning off and on or ceasing to function.
