Chupacabra

The chupacabra (Spanish pronunciation: [tʃupaˈkaβɾas], literally 'goat-sucker', from Spanish: chupa, meaning 'sucks', and cabras, meaning 'goats') is a mythical creature, or cryptid, in the folklore of various parts of the Americas. Its name originates from the creature's alleged vampirism, as it is said to attack and drink the blood of livestock, particularly goats. Descriptions of the chupacabra vary. In Puerto Rico and Hispanic America, it is typically described as a heavy, reptilian, alien-like creature, roughly the size of a small bear, with a row of spines extending from the neck to the tail. In the Southwestern United States, it is often portrayed as dog-like. The first reported sightings and descriptions emerged in Puerto Rico in 1995. Since then, the creature has been reported as far north as Maine, as far south as Chile, and even outside the Americas, including in Russia and the Philippines. However, these reports are anecdotal and have been dismissed due to a lack of evidence or corroboration. Investigations into sightings in northern Mexico and the Southern United States have revealed that the creatures were actually canids suffering from mange.