From:	Simon and Fiona sfuller@******.com.au
Subject:	The Yucatan Beasties
Date:	Sat, 21 Oct 2000 09:29:32 +1000

-----Original Message-----
From: Cole, Wade A. <wcole@********.com>
To: 'shadowrn@*********.com' <shadowrn@*********.com>
Date: Saturday, October 21, 2000 6:25 AM
Subject: RE: The Yucatan Beasties


> The Aztlan sourcebook has several suggestions in the back. They are
>mostly just variations on 'normal' Critters from other parts of the world.
> Sorry I can't tell you about any of them, terrible memory. The only
>one I can remember is the Chupacubra (sp?) which is just joke monster
>anyway, although the way they wrote it up isn't funny. 15 foot
>monkey/dinosaur with Essence Drain and fast! Kind of like a miniature
>Godzilla, Mexican style. I can't remember what the reference comes from.
>Some old black and white movie I think.
>
Everyone should know about Chupacapras, it is one of the most important
modern myths (assuming it is a myth). The name means goat sucker, it is a
creature with immense strength that drains the blood from livestock and pets
through a single hole. It is prevalent throughout Spanish speaking areas in
the Americas, I think it started in Brazil or one of the island countries in
the early 1990's but quickly spread. Descriptions vary but it is normally
described as being bipedal, black, with large fangs, big red eyes and spines
down its back, possibly with bat wings. A great many dead animals have been
attributed to the Chupacapras, and although many can be explained away as
misidentified dog attacks, cats, coyotes et cetera, there are some that have
been properly studied and have the experts stumped.
The origin for the goatsucker has been explained as an alien, a US genetic
experiment, a mutant from all the pollution, or a demon portending the
Apocalpse (or should that be Awakening?).
Anyone interested in human nature or group psychology would be well off
finding out about this beastie.
Do an internet search and you should find all you need on the goatsucker,
though no doubt most of it will be in Spanish, as it is the Hispanic
equivalent of Nessie or Bigfoot. www.forteantimes.com also has all sorts of
info and links.
I don't think it was ever 15 feet tall though. That really is a shame.