Chupacabra

The chupacabra or chupacabras (Spanish pronunciation: [tʃupaˈkaβɾas], literally meaning 'goat-sucker', from Spanish: chupa, 'sucks', and cabras, 'goats') is a legendary creature, or cryptid, in the folklore of parts of the Americas. It is said to prey on livestock, particularly goats, although reports also attribute attacks to sheep, chickens and other domesticated animals. According to accounts, the chupacabra kills its victims by puncturing the neck and consuming their blood, a characteristic that gave rise to its enduring association with vampirism. Descriptions of the creature vary considerably by region. In Puerto Rico and much of Hispanic America, it is commonly portrayed as reptilian or extraterrestrial-looking, about the size of a small bear, and with a distinctive row of spines extending from the neck to the base of the tail. In contrast, reports from the Southwestern United States typically describe the creature as a hairless, canine animal with pronounced fangs. The first widely publicized sightings and descriptions of the chupacabra emerged in Puerto Rico in 1995. Since then, alleged encounters have been reported throughout the Americas, ranging from Maine to Chile, as well as in countries outside the region, including Russia and the Philippines. However, these reports remain anecdotal and have not been supported by verifiable evidence. Investigations of purported sightings in northern Mexico and the Southern United States have instead identified the animals involved as canids afflicted by severe mange.