The Legend of the Chupacabra

The legend of the chupacabra is among the myths and legends akin to Big Foot, Sasquatch, and The Loch Ness Monster. What sets the chupacabra apart is that this mythical creature is believed to suck the blood of its victims, usually livestock, much like vampires.

The chupacabra has gained recognition and notoriety as reports of sightings have surfaced in Puerto Rico, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and the United States. When strange or spooky incidents occur that coincide with the legend of the chupacabra it is easy to bring the mythical creature into play.

The word "chupacabra" is a Spanish word best translated as "goat sucker." The chupacabra is believed to kill livestock by draining the animal of its blood through two or three puncture wounds to the neck.

As the myth of the beast originated it was to believed to be a creature that was half human and half beast, possessing either fangs or large, extensive claws on the hands and feet. This is due to the puncture marks found on the necks of livestock.

It is believed to be a vampire-like creature that walks on two legs, but has been described as having a jump something like a kangaroo that may involve all four legs. Reported incidents vary, but basically the creature is believed to be between 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 feet tall, with a large oval shaped head. Some report the eyes are large and other-worldly, with a menacing red glow. In addition to the long claws, the creature has been described as having long quill-like extensions down its back. He has also been described as having a lizard-like appearance.

Some claim the creature is marked by the smell of sulfur. Others report no extraordinary smell associated with the creature.

The first case of an alleged chupacabra activity in North America dates back to the 1950s. The legendary creature is believed to have made other excursions throughout the years, but activity surrounding the beast intensified in the 1990s with several hundred livestock deaths in Puerto Rico.

The question is, where did the chupacabra originate? This is where the story gets interesting. Some people believe that the creature is from outer space. They claim that it was a pet left behind by alien visitors. This can be credited, in part, to their large oval heads and eyes which give them an alien-like appearance. Therefore, the chupacabra is refered to in UFO circles as an Anomalous Biological Entity (ABE).

Others go so far as to believe the chupacabra is a crossbreed of an alien with an animal. Many attribute the origin of the species to a NASA experimentation run amuck. Individuals who follow this line of thought believe there is a conspiracy to cover up the existence of the creature.

Skeptics believe the chupacabra is the product of over-active imaginations. They credit the creatures appearance with looking much like the aliens in the 1995 movie "Species," believing this movie influenced some of the rash of accounts of the chupacabra in Puerto Rico.

Skeptics blame the livestock deaths on groups of stray dogs or panthers, believing that the damage done to the livestock are consistent with other animal mutilations.

Animals captured, which were believed to be chupacabras, have turned out to be some type of dog or even coyote suffering from mange.

Whether mythological or real, the chupacabra will continue to excite interest until it is scientifically proven to be one or the other.

Sources:
Science vs. Myth: Chupacabra
Characteristics and Origins of Chupacabra
The Skeptics Dictionary: The Chupacabra