Bigfoot also commonly referred to as Sasquatch is a purported ape-like creature said to inhabit the forests of North America. Many dubious articles have been offered in attempts to prove the existence of Bigfoot including anecdotal claims of visual observations as well as alleged video and audio recordings photographs and casts of large footprints. Some are known or admitted hoaxes. Tales of wild hairy humanoids exist throughout the worldand such creatures appear in the folklore of North America including the mythologies of indigenous people. Bigfoot is an icon within the fringe subculture of cryptozoology] and an enduring element of popular culture.