Skin Color VS. Hair Color
While researching for this series of posts on white and light colored bigfoot and sasquatch, I found the lack of good data collection very interesting.
There are many older reports out there that are lacking in some of the basic facts. I won't go too deep into that. However, there are many reports out there where not even the color of the figure is given. Even on close up encounters, not much is said of facial features, hair on the head and face, color of eyes or skin.
Which makes this post a little harder. Discussing the color of the skin.
I have been diving into the genetics behind human skin and hair coloring. While some of it makes sense if applied to the Forest People, bigfoot and sasquatch, there seems to be enough reported facts of their coloring that tend to go against the grain.
The "glittering generalities" that apply to human coloration, do not always seem to apply to the Forest People.
As I stated in an earlier post " Melanin is what gives hair, skin and eyes their color. There are two forms of melanin: eumelanin and pheomelanin. Eumelanin gives humans brown or black hair and darker skin. Pheomelanin results in red or blond hair with lighter skin.
Individuals differ in the number and size of melanin particles which will give variations in the colors. The color of skin is also affected by the presence of fat under the skin. Hemoglobin [red blood cells] under the skin also can affect the skin tone. Carotene, a reddish orange pigment can be a factor.
Some researchers claim that the Forest People have a much thicker skin. If so, this could affect how close to the outer layer of skin blood and fat are located. However, since melanin is normally located in the outer skin layer, it would seem to argue against any of the Forest People being either dark-haired or dark-skinned.
Some humans [especially those of northwest Europe] lose their ability to tan as a result of relaxed natural selection. There is also a defective form of a skin protein Mc1r [melanocortin-1 receptor] which is necessary for the production of melanin. This would alter the natural actions of melanin.
Let's look at my family. My father had medium brown hair and brown eyes that turned to hazel in his middle years. My mother had black hair and brown eyes. So, when we children were born, both had dark hair and dark eyes. One sister brown hair and blue eyes, the other brown hair and brown eyes [which have since turned to hazel!] and then me with blond hair and blue eyes.
By the "standards" science sets, this should not have happened. All three of us should have ended up with brown hair and brown eyes. But we didn't. [And yes, DNA tells us that they were indeed biological parents to all of us.]
So, confused yet??
And enough of my mind wandering.
What have you noticed in your research, Leo? You've been close with what we know are family groups. Talk about the hair and skin color of the members.
Leo: "Actually the 2 groups are just an extended family in two different areas but with the first parents we have the father with brown and grey hair, almost completely grey now and light grey skin and the mother with black hair and dark grey skin. The two children both males one with black hair with the exception of a white spot on his head that as he grew also turned black and light grey skin and the older one with dark brown hair and very light skin.
Youngest Brother with white spot on his head, Eating a pear. |
"Third couple which is the brother of second family father. Father beige skin dark brown hair. Mate has grey skin black hair. Their son has black hair grey skin, daughter black hair and very dark brown skin.
"First sighting in '97 black hair and black skin, son or nephew black hair and dark grey skin.
"If I am understanding correctly and I think I am considering the source, when you mentioned about the thickness of the skin I was told the what people often refer to as the "Ostman" pads are not just on the feet but a fatty layer that covers the whole body and both warms and cools."
It does seem that the genetics for the Forest People runs the same as in humans. Maybe.
Albert Ostman talked of being taken captive and held by a sasquatch family. Although he gave quite detailed descriptions of each member of the family, he never mentioned the color of the skin. And may not have ever been asked that question.
I don't know that any definitive answer on what determines a sasquatch's coloring can be given at this time.
We know nothing of their DNA make up. We have incomplete information on genetics. Most never witness multiple sasquatch or bigfoot sightings. And when someone does, we usually have no details provided on hair or skin color. We do not know the relationship of the individuals sighted.
It is also hard to determine if those who are claiming an ongoing habituation with a "clan" of bigfoot are actually telling the truth. So most information that would come from such people would come with an asterisk next to it.
It would be foolish to try to determine an exact answer.
And so I can only give a theory; a suggestion; a possible concept.
In my research, I believe sasquatch to be a people, not an animal, not a Great Ape. And therefore, their DNA and genetics are most likely very closely related to human DNA and genetic structure.
I have no scientific studies or such to back this up. I'm certain there are some out there who will contest my suggestions and beliefs. And that's fine.
Leo: "The problem with Habituation is those that are having regular interaction keep it to themselves for the most part and I don't blame them and those that do share anything no matter how clear it is get dismissed as hoaxers because of the third bunch. These are the ones that claim that Sasquatch are showing up at their kids birthday parties and for afternoon tea but for some odd reason always have an excuse for not being able to get a picture. They're also very willing to take your money. I'm very much of the opinion that you should only share what you want with whomever you want when you want but if you are asking people for their hard earned then you are under a moral obligation to put up or shut up.
"As far as the DNA: The issue with a certain "Study" is when you go in to a study with a preconceived idea and are willing to make certain "Adjustments" to the results so it will fit your theory then it is no longer a study but an agenda. I spent many hours not long ago with someone who did just that. I was willing to listen and make up my own mind about this person rather than judge her based on what I had been told to me by others and what I had watched unfold back at the time of the original study. I know first hand how people will try and twist your words against you and try to stop anything beyond footprints and a good story from getting out there but unfortunately in this case many things that were said were very accurate I'm sorry to say. To be fair there were a lot of things that were said that were nothing but lies and character assassination. The problem with that is sometimes people don't have an character to assassinate. If one is willing to use fake footage, change test results if you pay a little extra and claim to have DNA from angels who mated with humans who somehow ended up with everything from Lemur to panther mixed in just to push the Nephilim theory. Money unfortunately makes people do crazy things which causes others to believe crazy things. I have no idea what their DNA would show but I do know what it wouldn't. They are very much a people but not human, something close and not animal but not human either. They have been here much longer than 15000 yrs. DNA studies have flopped for a good reason. Just my opinion."
Thank you, Leo, [my good friend and partner] for sharing your findings and experiences and beliefs for this post. Without your encouragement and being my sounding board for this type of post, I would not venture into this type of area.
(Opening artwork : Bigfoot Oregon Art. [oregonbigfoot.com])
Nancy
This Post By TCC Team Member Nancy Marietta. Nancy has had a lifelong interest in the paranormal and cryptids. Nancy is also a published author and her book, The Price of war, has been met with great reviews.
[Please Note: Sadly Nancy passed away at the first of January, 2022. We will continue to honor her and her research by sharing her work. RIP Nancy. -Thomas]
Genetics. DNA. Recessive genes. It gets real confusing real quick!
ReplyDeleteAt the risk of adding to the head-scratcher, I will bring up the Snow Goose species. The Snow Goose comes in two color morphs: (1) a white goose, and (2) a blue goose. (The "blue" is really a gray color that can look bluish in certain lighting.) Early on, biologists classified them as 2 species, the Snow Goose and the Blue Goose. But after biologists studied the geese on their high arctic breeding grounds, they realized that there were white-white pairs, blue-blue pairs, and white-blue pairs. Each type of pairing produced an assortment of white babies and blue babies. In other words, white-white pairs produce some blue babies, and blue-blue pairs produce some white babies. The "two" are now considered one species.
Furthermore, a few Snow Geese turn out to be about half white and half blue!