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C is for Chupacabras

Welcome back for today’s letter… C! Today, we’re traveling to North and Central America for this creature.

Name: Chupacabras (means “goat sucker”) Chupacabra is also used, but it is a regularized form of the original word.

Type: Bloodsucking creature

Origin: Puerto Rican and Latin American folklore

Description: The chupacabras is most commonly described as a reptile-like creature with scaly skin and sharp spines running along its back. It supposedly hops like a kangaroo and has sharp fangs, a forked tongue, and stands about 3-4 feet tall. It’s also described as smelling like sulfur. A less common description of the chupacabras is a hairless wild dog with a pronounced spine, fangs, and claws. It is supposed to look like a dog-reptile hybrid.

When it bites it drains out the victim’s blood (like a vampire) and even their organs sometimes. The bite mark is said to be either three holes in the shape of an upside-down triangle, two holes, or one, which isn’t a very definite answer. *grin*

Interesting Facts: Chupacabras received its name from the fact that it has a habit of attacking livestock, and particularly goats. It was first reportedly spotted in 1995 in Puerto Rico. Biologists and others who have researched it conclude that the chupacabras are merely coyotes, or dogs, with mange, which explains the less common description of the vampire-like beast. It’s been featured in many books, video games, TV shows, and movies.

Have you heard of the Chupacabras before? If so, where did you learn about it?

14 Comments

  1. I know about these from the programs on History Channel. Fascinating.

    –Damyanti, Co-host A to Z Challenge April 2012

    Twitter: @AprilA2Z
    #atozchallenge

  2. What an interesting creature. It looks almost like an alien. I've never heard of the chupacabras before, but now I'm both interested and terrified by it.

    1. Hey there, Elizabeth! Thanks for stopping by! Yeah, I think the coyote explanation is kind of lame too. Besides, I think mange or not, people would be able to recognize one. I think I've seen that episode too. I've also seen them used in computer games. lol

    1. I first heard about them in Arizona when I was in the sixth grade (right around '97 or '98). We had a very interesting substitute teacher who told us about it instead of teaching. It was awesome. 🙂

  3. My son and I were just talking about this. The Chupacabra is his favorite "animal". He has even stated that he wants to be a Cryptozoologists because he loves to study animal/myths like this.
    Mel

    1. Wow, that's awesome! I'd had a moment where I wanted to be a Parapsychologist, but I love to write so that won out. 🙂 Thanks for commenting!

  4. First time I heard about them was on Xfiles el chupacabra then I've seen them used on various shows since (was it Bones that had it awhile back?). Plus I have read several books that mentioned them Delilah Street comes to mind.

    1. Cool! I read the first Delilah Street book. I think I saw the chupacabra on X-Files too. I can't remember though. Thanks for the comment!

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