With a name derived from the combination of the Spanish words for “suck” (chupa) and “goat” (cabra), the Chupacabra is a cryptid animal known for draining the blood of livestock, that is believed to be native to Puerto Rico. First sighted on the Spanish speaking American island in 1995, it was described as a reptilian creature with leathery or scaly skin of green-gray color; with sharp spines running down it’s back. It was said to stand between 3 and 4 feet tall, with a stance and hop similar to that of a kangaroo (although the chupacabra is said to hop up to 20ft in the air). It’s face is said to resemble a dog or a panther, except with a forked tongue and large fangs. It was said to hiss and screech when threatened, with some reports stating that the screeching accompanied a glowing of it’s eyes that gave witnesses nausea. Some other sightings describe the chupacabra as a reptile/dog hybrid. Regardless of which description, all sightings of this beast are accompanied with reports of cattle and livestock mutilations; specifically the finding of animals that have had all of their blood drained through three small holes in their skin. The original reports of the beast were filed in conjunction with the finding of eight dead sheep that had been killed in this manner. Since those reports, there have been alleged sightings of this elusive creature all over the world.
In 2006, reports came out of central Russia that over 30 Turkeys and 30 sheep had been found completely drained of blood over the course of one evening. Russian citizens soon came forth, reporting sightings of a creature resembling a chupacabra. Then in 2007, reports came out of Boyaca, Columbia that 300 sheep had turned up dead from apparent chupacabra activity. Even more reports of sightings and activity have come out of Texas, U.S.A., and the Philippines. Again, all of of these reports describe a similar creature; so considering how spread out the sightings have been, crypto-zoologists have decided that the chupacabra is a species, rather than just one creature.
Due to the fact that no one has actually managed to capture a chupacabra, any sort of classification for it is still undetermined. However, it’s been narrowed down to two things: a rare nocturnal species of animal, or a species of earthbound extraterrestrials. The latter theory is based on it’s practice of completely draining it’s victims of their blood (something larger, non-insect species aren’t known to do), and its’ reported sickness inducing defense mechanism. Furthermore, the lack of legitimate specimens has led many to believe that chupacabras don’t exist at all. This school of thought dictates that chupacabras are merely coyotes with sever mange and internal parasites; and that all the other fantastic details put forth by witnesses are just science fiction guided minds playing tricks on themselves. Most “captured” chupacabras have actually turned out to be said coyotes, while others captures have remained unverified. So once again folks, until someone comes forth with the body of a chupacabra, it remains…an Otherworld Mystery.
