Is that [the word "habitation"] actually a word, and, if so, is that the real spelling of it? I seem to recall a post some time back discussing it and wondered then about the spelling.
I think that I may have said something about the spelling of the word on the "Shackydo" thread. My Webster's gives the word "habituate" with the meaning "to make used (to); accustom; familiarize...." and/or "to attend or visit often...." And it gives "habituation" as the noun. As used in the context of bigfoot endeavors, I take it to mean getting a bigfoot, or 'feet, accustomed to people--to being around and interacting with people. This probably implies overcoming their fear or aversion of man--and hostility if there is any. This would also imply that they would come around to get food or visit. If they come to get food, they would be like the little squirrel that takes pecans from my sister's hand on the front porch of her condo or like bears that have been fed by people so much that they seek people out. If they come to visit, that implies a whole other thing--implies intelligence and social inclinations.
Overcoming fear and establishing habits are two very central aspects of horse and dog training. And there are some breeds of horses and many breeds of dogs that seem to like to be with people. Authentic Appaloosas were such horses. (I say "authentic" because the Appaloosa has been so bred out to other breeds that many of them act like those other breeds--sometimes for good and sometimes for bad.)
Habituation of wild animals can be dangerous and have disastorious consequences for both the animal and the habituator!
My acquaintance who told me that he shared his Tootsie Rolls with bigfeet must be a habituator--or pulling my leg. I am being told that there are several people attempting that--habituation, not pulling my leg.
