The creatures huddled together in a large tree as bullets of rain and hail pelted them. Their eyes grew wide when a flash of white lit up the sky. Surprisingly, their screams could be heard over the thunder's sudden roar. Gripping each other, the apes sought consolation. Only one seemed unfazed by the storm, lazily munching on a large leaf. It bent towards the younger three Devils, reaching out with its hand, touching their backs with the backs of its fingers. The gesture seemed to calm them somewhat. When the lightning and thunder returned, their eyes widened less, their screams were, instead, whimpers, and their little group tightened, some gripping others' shoulders, feet.
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?
Apple Devils are a species of bigfoot that reside in the south to southeastern portions of West Virginia; they can predominantly be seen in Watoga State Park, Calvin Price State Forest, and the surrounding areas.
Living near fresh food, large water sources, and within the safety of dense forests, Apple Devils nest and live in tall, sturdy trees. When looking for new nesting locations, they tend to choose places that are close to fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, or near quiet orchards. While they prefer to live near their favorite foods, if a location is devoid of resources or sparsely vegetated, they will settle farther away, making occasional trips for treats. Extra provisions are stored on the fringes of a nest.
What does it look like?
These bigfeet are one of the smallest—growing only to be between 4-5 ft tall & 100-150 lbs—and least well-known. They have a distinctly sour, rotten odor that is produced from small glands under the arms and neck; this musk is transferred throughout the hair during grooming. Bright, ruddy brown tresses cover most of the body (aside from the typical bare places: face, hands, butt, and feet), forming a “chin curtain” and patches on the upper lip and knuckles, which expose very little of its dark tan complexion.
What does it eat?
Unlike other bigfeet, Apple Devils are mostly herbivorous; they consume a variety of fruit, blossoms, leaves, bark, herbs, and seeds. They are preferential towards persimmons, elderberries, raspberry bushes, pawpaws, red mulberries, and shadbushes (in addition to any fruit-bearing trees/vegetation not native to West Virginia). Like most mammals, they opportunistically feed on insects and other small prey, and may hunt woodland creatures in times of desperation.
Where do they sleep?
Apple Devils sleep in treetop nests, which are comprised of branches twisted together and lined with leaves, grass, and twigs; the structure is packed with mud. These nests can span across a few trees, if a mother is raising several offspring. From below, the bedding resembles a normal canopy of trees, and during the winter, they resemble a very large bird nest. Mothers and their children may share one domicile, but older youths may build their own nearby. Mature males sleep alone.
How do they interact with each other?
Apple Devils may gather together when ample food is around and ready to be foraged. As is common in primate society, more than one mature male is not typically present during these spontaneous gatherings. When more than one is in attendance, an altercation may occur. Older, larger males are preferred, and supported during conflicts, by mature females.
Males do not fight in physical bouts of strength, but in competitions of fear. Challenges are quiet, huddled displays of frozen visage, where contestants take turns expressing their most frightening, extended faces. The winner frightens the loser into submission. A Devil's eyes and mouth is opened wide during these heated rivalries. Males' teeth are exposed and glistening, their hackles are raised; with their chests puffed out, they stand tall. A lesser or loser male will turn their back to their rival, submitting to their dominance and bravery, before wandering elsewhere.
Apple Devils do not loudly call to one another or utilize wood-knocking, but communicate through soft, deep “harrumphs” or signal danger with shrill yelps.
How do they reproduce?
Any mature male may mate with any mature female at any time, provided she is consenting. Females show great preference toward larger, redder, older Devils and will often turn down younger, less experienced males.
Apple Devils carry young for seven months before giving birth, after which they are kept in the nest and nursed for a year. Once they have grown to the size of a human toddler, they begin learning the basics of life: foraging, nest building, grooming, escaping danger, and socialization. A youth stops growing at age four and will begin to develop independence. The animals reach maturity at age eight; a mature Devil leaves their mother, but will visit and socialize from time to time.
What do they do in the winter?
Apple Devils are more inactive during the winter, spending most of their time in their insulated nests. With less activity and more sleep, less food and water is needed. Mothers must leave their nests more often to provide for their young.
Can you lure or befriend them?
As in other species of bigfeet, Apple Devils will take gifts left for them—though only food. Leaving fruit on a fence, piece of wood, or rock on the edge of a property may bring an Apple Devil near if it has not encountered a human (or other threat) in the area.
Unexpected sounds or sights can scare away the creatures, but even in such a case, they will not present a threat. They cannot be approached slowly and will not develop bonds with humans, display curiosity, reciprocate gifting, or grow more tolerable of human activity/presence.
How are they differentiable from other bigfeet?
TEETH Though most bigfeet have large canines, it is rarer for them to have these thick, long, blunt, outwardly curving ones; this may be beneficial for daily life—allowing the creatures to use them as tools that pierce tough fruit, cut branches/vines, scrape bark, and for dominance displays.
FACIAL FEATURES The face of an Apple Devil contains several fatty pockets underneath, creating ridges along the cheeks.
GAIT Apple Devils are quite dexterous and able to run for long distances. Their lungs and leg muscles are much larger than an average primate’s.
HANDS Similar to primates, the phalanges of their hands and feet are almost uniform in length (aside from the thumbs); rough skin, hardy, “chip” nails, and elongated appendages are great for climbing, gripping, and a speedy escape.
