Chupacabra

Introduction

Legendary creature in American folklore The chupacabra or chupacabras (tʃupaˈkaβɾas, literally 'goat sucker'; from lang es, 'sucks', and cabras, 'goats') is a legendary creature, or cryptid, in the folklore of parts of the Americas.Legendary creature in American folklore The chupacabra or chupacabras (tʃupaˈkaβɾas, literally 'goat sucker'; from lang es, 'sucks', and cabras, 'goats') is a legendary creature, or cryptid, in the folklore of parts of the Americas.

The name comes from the animal's reported vampirism—the chupacabra is said to attack and drink the blood of livestock, including goats.The name comes from the animal's reported vampirism—the chupacabra is said to attack and drink the blood of livestock, including goats.

Physical descriptions of the creature vary.Physical descriptions of the creature vary.

In Puerto Rico and in Hispanic America it is generally described as a heavy creature, reptilian and alien like, roughly the size of a small bear, and with a row of spines reaching from the neck to the base of the tail, while in the Southwestern United States it is depicted as more dog like.In Puerto Rico and in Hispanic America it is generally described as a heavy creature, reptilian and alien like, roughly the size of a small bear, and with a row of spines reaching from the neck to the base of the tail, while in the Southwestern United States it is depicted as more dog like.

Initial sightings and accompanying descriptions first occurred in Puerto Rico in 1995.Initial sightings and accompanying descriptions first occurred in Puerto Rico in 1995.

The creature has since been reported as far north as Maine, as far south as Chile, and even outside the Americas in countries like Russia and Philippines.The creature has since been reported as far north as Maine, as far south as Chile, and even outside the Americas in countries like Russia and Philippines.

All of the reports are anecdotal and have been disregarded as uncorroborated or lacking evidence.All of the reports are anecdotal and have been disregarded as uncorroborated or lacking evidence.

Sightings in northern Mexico and the southern United States have been verified as canids afflicted by mange.Sightings in northern Mexico and the southern United States have been verified as canids afflicted by mange.

Name

Chupacabras can be literally translated as 'goat sucker', from chupar ('to suck') and cabras ('goats').Chupacabras can be literally translated as 'goat sucker', from chupar ('to suck') and cabras ('goats').

It is known as both chupacabras and chupacabra throughout the Americas, with the former being the original name, and the latter a regularization.It is known as both chupacabras and chupacabra throughout the Americas, with the former being the original name, and the latter a regularization.

The name is attributed to Puerto Rican comedian Silverio Pérez, who coined the label in 1995 while commenting on the attacks as a San Juan radio deejay.The name is attributed to Puerto Rican comedian Silverio Pérez, who coined the label in 1995 while commenting on the attacks as a San Juan radio deejay.

History

In 1975, a series of livestock killings in the small town of Moca, Puerto Rico were attributed to el vampiro de Moca ('the vampire of Moca').In 1975, a series of livestock killings in the small town of Moca, Puerto Rico were attributed to el vampiro de Moca ('the vampire of Moca').

Initially, it was suspected that the killings were committed by a Satanic cult; later more killings were reported around the island, and many farms reported loss of animal life.Initially, it was suspected that the killings were committed by a Satanic cult; later more killings were reported around the island, and many farms reported loss of animal life.

Each of the animals was reported to have had its body bled dry through a series of small circular incisions.Each of the animals was reported to have had its body bled dry through a series of small circular incisions.

The first reported attack eventually attributed to the actual chupacabras occurred in March 1995.The first reported attack eventually attributed to the actual chupacabras occurred in March 1995.

Eight sheep were discovered dead in Puerto Rico, each with three puncture wounds in the chest area and reportedly completely drained of blood.Eight sheep were discovered dead in Puerto Rico, each with three puncture wounds in the chest area and reportedly completely drained of blood.

A few months later, in August, an eyewitness named Madelyne Tolentino reported seeing the creature in the Puerto Rican town of Canóvanas, where as many as 150 farm animals and pets were reportedly killed.A few months later, in August, an eyewitness named Madelyne Tolentino reported seeing the creature in the Puerto Rican town of Canóvanas, where as many as 150 farm animals and pets were reportedly killed.

Appearance

The most common description of the chupacabra is that of a reptile like creature, said to have leathery or scaly greenish gray skin and sharp spines or quills running down its back.The most common description of the chupacabra is that of a reptile like creature, said to have leathery or scaly greenish gray skin and sharp spines or quills running down its back.

It is said to be approximately high, and stands and hops in a fashion similar to that of a kangaroo.It is said to be approximately high, and stands and hops in a fashion similar to that of a kangaroo.

This description was the chief one given to the few Puerto Rican reports in 1995 that claimed to have sighted the creature, with similar reports in parts of Chile and Argentina following.This description was the chief one given to the few Puerto Rican reports in 1995 that claimed to have sighted the creature, with similar reports in parts of Chile and Argentina following.

Plausibility of existence

The chupacabra panic first started in late 1995, Puerto Rico: farmers were mass reporting the mysterious killings of various livestock.The chupacabra panic first started in late 1995, Puerto Rico: farmers were mass reporting the mysterious killings of various livestock.

In these reports, the farmers recalled two puncture wounds on the animal carcasses.In these reports, the farmers recalled two puncture wounds on the animal carcasses.

These environmental conditions could provide a simple explanation for the livestock killings: wild predators losing their usual prey to the drought, therefore being forced to hunt the livestock of farmers for sustenance.These environmental conditions could provide a simple explanation for the livestock killings: wild predators losing their usual prey to the drought, therefore being forced to hunt the livestock of farmers for sustenance.

Thus, the same theory can be applied to many of the other ‘chupacabra’ attacks: that the dry weather had created a more competitive environment for native predators, leading them to prey on livestock to survive.Thus, the same theory can be applied to many of the other ‘chupacabra’ attacks: that the dry weather had created a more competitive environment for native predators, leading them to prey on livestock to survive.

Such an idea can also explain the increased violence in the killings; hungry and desperate predators are driven to hunt livestock to avoid starvation, causing an increase in both the number of livestock killings, and the viciousness of each one.Such an idea can also explain the increased violence in the killings; hungry and desperate predators are driven to hunt livestock to avoid starvation, causing an increase in both the number of livestock killings, and the viciousness of each one.

Evidence of such is provided in page 179 of Benjamin Radford’s book, Tracking the Chupacabra: The Vampire Beast in Fact, Fiction, and Folklore.Evidence of such is provided in page 179 of Benjamin Radford’s book, Tracking the Chupacabra: The Vampire Beast in Fact, Fiction, and Folklore.

Radford ’s chart highlights ten significant reports of chupacabra attacks, seven of which had a carcass recovered and examined; these autopsies concluded the causes of death as various animal attacks, as displayed though the animal DNA found on the carcasses.Radford ’s chart highlights ten significant reports of chupacabra attacks, seven of which had a carcass recovered and examined; these autopsies concluded the causes of death as various animal attacks, as displayed though the animal DNA found on the carcasses.

Related legends

The "Ozark Howler", a large bear like animal, is the subject of a similar legend.The "Ozark Howler", a large bear like animal, is the subject of a similar legend.

The Peuchens of Chile also share similarities in their supposed habits, but instead of being dog like they are described as winged snakes.The Peuchens of Chile also share similarities in their supposed habits, but instead of being dog like they are described as winged snakes.

This legend may have originated from the vampire bat, an animal endemic to the region.This legend may have originated from the vampire bat, an animal endemic to the region.

In the Philippines the Sigbin shares many of the chupacabra's descriptions.In the Philippines the Sigbin shares many of the chupacabra's descriptions.

"Grunches" is a legend in New Orleans that gets its name from a lovers' lane called Grunch Road, between the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico."Grunches" is a legend in New Orleans that gets its name from a lovers' lane called Grunch Road, between the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.

The road was said to be inhabited by creatures called "grunches", similar in appearance to the Chupacabra.The road was said to be inhabited by creatures called "grunches", similar in appearance to the Chupacabra.

Unreliable source: date=September 2022 In 2018 there were reports of suspected chupacabras in Manipur, India.Unreliable source: date=September 2022 In 2018 there were reports of suspected chupacabras in Manipur, India.

Many domestic animals and poultry were killed in a manner similar to other chupacabra attacks, and several people reported that they had seen creatures.Many domestic animals and poultry were killed in a manner similar to other chupacabra attacks, and several people reported that they had seen creatures.

Forensic experts opined that street dogs were responsible for mass killing of domestic animals and poultry after studying the remnants of a corpse.Forensic experts opined that street dogs were responsible for mass killing of domestic animals and poultry after studying the remnants of a corpse.

Media

A chupacabra is referred to in the 2009 novel Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead.A chupacabra is referred to in the 2009 novel Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead.

The debut album by Imani Coppola is titled Chupacabra.The debut album by Imani Coppola is titled Chupacabra.

In Indigenous (2014), the chupacabra is the main antagonist.In Indigenous (2014), the chupacabra is the main antagonist.

The myth of the chupacabra is mocked in a 2012 episode of the cartoon series South Park, titled "Jewpacabra", in which antisemitic main character Eric Cartman claims to have seen a Jewish Chupacabra that kills children on Easter.The myth of the chupacabra is mocked in a 2012 episode of the cartoon series South Park, titled "Jewpacabra", in which antisemitic main character Eric Cartman claims to have seen a Jewish Chupacabra that kills children on Easter.

The chupacabra was included as one of several vinyl figurines in Cryptozoic Entertainment's Cryptkins blind box toy line in 2018.The chupacabra was included as one of several vinyl figurines in Cryptozoic Entertainment's Cryptkins blind box toy line in 2018.

A redesigned series of figurines, including an updated chupacabra, was released in August 2020.A redesigned series of figurines, including an updated chupacabra, was released in August 2020.

The search for a chupacabra was featured in the 1997 The X Files episode "El Mundo Gira".The search for a chupacabra was featured in the 1997 The X Files episode "El Mundo Gira".

"Chupacabra" was the title of the midseason finale of season 4 of the supernatural drama television series Grimm, in December 2014."Chupacabra" was the title of the midseason finale of season 4 of the supernatural drama television series Grimm, in December 2014.

Teen Titans Academy, a DC Comics book, has a bat like metahuman called Chupacabra, whose alter ego is Diego Pérez, named in honour of George Pérez (the artist that initially illustrated the Teen Titans).Teen Titans Academy, a DC Comics book, has a bat like metahuman called Chupacabra, whose alter ego is Diego Pérez, named in honour of George Pérez (the artist that initially illustrated the Teen Titans).

A 1999 episode of Futurama features a monster called "El Chupanibre".A 1999 episode of Futurama features a monster called "El Chupanibre".

In the Jackie Chan Adventures episode "The Curse of El Chupacabra", Jackie Chan's friend El Toro gets scratched and infected by a Chupacabra, causing him to transform into another Chupacabra every night, much like a werewolf.In the Jackie Chan Adventures episode "The Curse of El Chupacabra", Jackie Chan's friend El Toro gets scratched and infected by a Chupacabra, causing him to transform into another Chupacabra every night, much like a werewolf.

In season 3 of Workaholics called "To Kill a Chupacabraj", Blake finds what he believes to be the deceased corpse of the Rancho Chupacabra in the pool, though it turns out to be the neighbor's dog.In season 3 of Workaholics called "To Kill a Chupacabraj", Blake finds what he believes to be the deceased corpse of the Rancho Chupacabra in the pool, though it turns out to be the neighbor's dog.

In the Netflix original series The Imperfects, the character of Juan Ruiz transforms into a chupacabra whenever anyone he cares about is in danger.In the Netflix original series The Imperfects, the character of Juan Ruiz transforms into a chupacabra whenever anyone he cares about is in danger.

The 2016 film La leyenda del Chupacabras features the titular Chupacabra initially as an antagonist before revealing the creature is merely trying to rescue its family.The 2016 film La leyenda del Chupacabras features the titular Chupacabra initially as an antagonist before revealing the creature is merely trying to rescue its family.

The 2023 film Chupa is about a chupacabra that is saved from scientists who want to capture it to prove it is real and exploit it for medicine.The 2023 film Chupa is about a chupacabra that is saved from scientists who want to capture it to prove it is real and exploit it for medicine.

The 2010 2011 Super Sentai series Tensou Sentai Goseiger ’s main antagonist Brajira of the Messiah assumes the guise Buredoran of the Chupacabra when working with the Yuumajuu, the villain faction of the second arc that is based on cryptids.The 2010 2011 Super Sentai series Tensou Sentai Goseiger ’s main antagonist Brajira of the Messiah assumes the guise Buredoran of the Chupacabra when working with the Yuumajuu, the villain faction of the second arc that is based on cryptids.

The Ukrainian news program TSN used to broadcast fake news about the Chupacabra when no interesting news were there to broadcast.The Ukrainian news program TSN used to broadcast fake news about the Chupacabra when no interesting news were there to broadcast.