El Chupacabra is a Spainish word meaning "Goat Sucker". It's name comes from the way it supposedly sucks the blood from its victims, more specifically, goats in Puerto Rico. Obviously, its name is derived from the native language from where it was first spotted. Today, claims of the large, hairless dog-looking creature have been reported in the Americas, MExico and Puerto Rico, as far north as Maine and as far south as Chilie. 

The first documented reported sighting was in 1995 in Puerto Rico. In this particular attack, eight sheep were found dead, each one with three puncture wounds in their chest, and each one almost completely drained of blood. According to Wikipedia, in 1975, similar killings in the town of Moca were attributed to El Vampiro de Moca (The Vampire of Moca)*. The original belief was that these killings were the result of a satanic cult, which was rumored to be active in the area. Many more killings followed. Farmers reported the loss of livestock, each with three puncture wounds and the blood drained in the exact same manner as the first reported El Chupacabra killing. Shortly after, more reports surfaced of killings in much of the same manner from Brazil, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Bloivia, Chilia, Columbia, El Salvador, Panama, Peru, the United States and Mexico. As far as we know, there have been no human attacks by El Chupacabra. Mysteriously, traces of the killings, such as blood or tracks, have yet to be discovered.

Appearance

El Chupacabra has been described in many variations: as a hairless, dog-like, Kangaroo-like creature that stand 3-4 feet tall standing upright, as a large rodent, dog, Kangaroo type of creature, as a prehistoric dinosaur-like creature.

In at least one sighting, the El Chupacabra was reported to hop 20 feet (6 m). This variety is said to have a dog or panther-like nose and face, a forked tongue, and large fangs. It is said to hiss and screech when alarmed, as well as leave behind a sulfur-like stench. When it screeches, some reports assert that the chupacabra's eyes glow an unusual red which gives the witnesses nausea.*

Another description of El Chupacabra, although not as common, describes a strange breed of wild dog. This form is mostly hairless and has a pronounced spinal ridge, unusually pronounced eye sockets, fangs, and claws. It is claimed that this breed might be an example of a dog-like reptile. Unlike conventional predators, the chupacabra is said to drain all of the animal's blood (and sometimes organs) through a single hole or two holes.*

So, do we really know what El Chupacabra looks like? Of course not. Do we even know that it really exists? Well, no. As with all paranormal, before the mainstream public believes, it would need to be dangled in front of their eyes.

Our Opinion

We believe the reports of the killings are true. We believe that the puncture wounds described could be possible. We also believe that the blood could've been drained from the victims. But, we don't believe that there is some strange "Alien-like" creature running around out there.

You know, there is so much of the world that is unexplored, so much undiscovered. And personally, I do believe that there are many undiscovered creatures out there. El Chupacabra could very well be one of those undiscovered creatures. Who knows what it really looks like? I think it would probably be closely related to the cat family, more like some type of strange panther, maybe even a combination of canine/feline. Fangs aren't unusual. Razor-like incisions aren't unusual either. Blood being drained or consumed by wild animals aren't unusual. In fact, really the only unusual thing about El Chupacabra is the variations in appearance. The method of killing its victims isn't.

*References used - Wikipedia

©2009. Chase Daniels & South Georgia Paranormal Research Society. All Rights Reserved.