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Mystery of the 'Chupacabra' May Be Solved

rhettb writes "The mystery of the legendary chupacabra, a beast said to drain the blood of domestic animals at night, has been solved, according to a University of Michigan scientist. Biologist Barry O'Connor says that most chupacabra sightings are probably linked to coyotes with mange, a disease caused by the same species of mite that triggers scabies in humans. Severe cases of mange cause hair loss and thickening of skin in wild dogs and can lead to bacterial skin infections that produce a foul odor characteristic of the 'chupacabra.' Wombats and squirrels are also susceptible to mange, suggesting that chupacabra are found in trees and Down Under."

2 of 94 comments (clear)

  1. Re:From Chupacabras land by sznupi · · Score: 4, Interesting
    --
    One that hath name thou can not otter
  2. Re:Hrmm by vortexau · · Score: 2, Interesting

    > > "If you carried a gun you would be safer, silly Australians surrendering your right to defend themselves."

    Having to carry a gun for defense is only a requirement in a lawless society; as is the case in Somalia or similar places.
    When it comes to Australian wildlife all one needs is venom-proof clothing, the sense not to swim with crocodiles, or a knife about which one can say: 'This is a knife!'

    --
    (David Bowman, EVA near HUGE Monolithic Win-PC in orbit around Jupiter) "My God - its full of Malware!"