The chupacabra is a creature said to haunt South America, Puerto Rico, parts of Mexico and portions of Texas. Known for attacking livestock and draining its prey of blood, the chupacabra’s name in Spanish is translated as “goat-sucker.” A mythical creature, the chupacabra is also recognized as a crytpid—a creature that may exist but hasn’t been proven to exist. If you’ve followed my blog for some time, you know I enjoy reading about mythical beasts and those put under the microscope of cryptozoology. It’s interesting when those fields intersect, as in the case of the chupacabra.
This is not a guy I would want to cross while out for a stroll. A heinous looking oddity, the chupacabra has alternately been described as a winged monkey, a hairless dog with a pronounced spinal ridge or quills on its back, and a rodent or a reptile with grayish-green skin. The beast exudes a ghastly odor, is endowed with sharp fangs, and a forked tongue. Some believe the chupacabra is a coyote infected with mange, others that it is a species brought from outer space, still others that it is the result of a government experiment gone haywire.
Naturally, something this ugly has to have glowing eyes. In the case of the chupacabra, they are malignant red, capable of hypnotizing its victim and freezing them in place while the creature drains the victim’s blood.
The first report of dead livestock occurred in 1995 in Puerto Rico when a farmer found eight of his sheep drained of blood, each with three puncture wounds to the chest. For this reason, some believe the chupacabra is related to the vampire bat. It’s also been known to hiss and screech when alarmed and make an odd sound when feeding (who would want to get that close?).
Throughout the years the chupacabra has been blamed for numerous bizarre deaths in the killing of goats, chickens, pigs and dogs. Though most common to Latin America and South America, it has been spotted as far north as Michigan and Maine and has even shown up in Russia. There are countless videos and websites devoted to the myth of the chupacabra. This infamous crytpid has also made appearances on Animal Planet, and the Discovery Channel. Despite all the debate and discussion about El Chupacabra—including various descriptions from eyewitnesses—its legend continues to grow confounding skeptics, cryptozoologists and the curious in general.
As the debate rages, perhaps it’s best to err on the side of caution. What do you think?
From the Pen of Mae Clair 
Another fascinating creature, Mae. I wouldn’t like to meet this one.I do look forward to your posts.
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Thanks, Daisy. And I’m all for steering clear of it too. Defiantly a nasty piece of work!
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This is a vey interesting topic. I’ve seen several specials myself about this mysterious creature and I would say he definitely makes one take notice…
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Oppps… vey = very 🙂
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LOL! It’s Monday 🙂
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Hi, Tammy! Great to have you pop in again. I think this cryptid is probably almost as well known as Bigfoot . . . and just as elusive, LOL!
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Like Tammy, I’ve seen some docos about El Chupacabra. Could it not be just some mangy dog? OH yes, my skepticism is ripe today. Not sure why some days I am so willing to believe, while others you’d barely be able to convince me the tooth fairy existed, when I am now currently the tooth fairy!
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The mangy dog (or coyote with mange) is actually the leading theory on this one. But you know how people just love to spin tales from anything that is remotely unusual. And, hey, how are you enjoying your tooth fairy role? Maybe I should do a Mythical Monday on her, LOL!
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Stories of the Chupacabra has always given me the shivers. Whether real or not, I wouldn’t want some rabid creature with glowing red eyes to suck every drop of blood from my body…I just….no…and we’ll leave it at that…(shudder)
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Can you imagine coming across it in the dark of night (even if it is a coyote with mange), snarling, dripping saliva, eyes blazing in it’s head. *shudder, shudder* I’ll skip that scenario too, thank you very much! We could always go hunt the Mothman instead, LOL!
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I won a book about a chupacabra. I remembered an episode of X-Files based on the legend and had to enter the giveaway on the book blog.
Fingers crossed we’ll never encounter one of these creatures. Hideous indeed. I was surprised to learn the first report of dead livestock happened only in 1995. I would have thought incidents would date back a hundred years prior to that. Interesting.
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I thought the same thing, Emma . . . that legends would date back into the 1800s. Maybe that’s another reason that gave rise to a government experiments theory. I did see there is series of novels about the chupacabra and they’re on my TBR. I think the story is set in the old west. Wonder if if it’s the same book(s)?
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Night of the Chupacabra is the name of the book I’ve got. Could be it.
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That’s it!
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I remember that x-files episode too. The chupacabra always sounds eerie, and you’re right, I wouldn’t want to go strolling in his neighborshood. The term goat-sucker is a great term for such a nasty creature.
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Isn’t it a great term? So graphic and gritty, much like the nasty beastie itself. Thanks for stopping, Flossie!
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It was one of the BEST X-Files episodes ever! El Chupacabra is one of my favorite mythic legends. Excellent post!
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Hey, Cadence, great to see you here. I missed that ep of the X-files, but it must have been a great one judging by the comments here. Thanks for dropping by!
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