Image: nationalgeographic.com
The Story
A hairless animal near Ciudad Juárez fits mange far better than a new species, but only testing can identify it.
A hairless canid with severe mange is the ordinary biological explanation for chupacabra-like sightings. Wildlife experts describe how the disease changes an animal’s appearance and behavior, while DNA testing in a comparable Texas case identified a coyote. That evidence does not identify the Juárez animal, but it gives the familiar reports a concrete, testable explanation.
- Texas A&M wildlife expert John Tomeček explains that late-stage mange in coyotes can produce the hairless appearance and behavioral changes associated with chupacabra reports.
- National Geographic reports that supposed chupacabras have almost always turned out to be coyotes with severe mange.
- DNA testing on a hairless Texas animal found it was virtually identical to a coyote, not a distinct chupacabra species.
Source mix
3 of 10 institutional
- 3 Journals & institutions
- 6 News reporting
- 1 Forum, video, personal
Deeper Insight
Mange can manufacture a chupacabra. Until a specimen is tested, the footage proves neither a new creature nor the attacks.
A 70-centimetre pale figure allegedly stalking poultry and rabbits has revived chupacabra fears, even as Juárez officials report no unusual attacks. Comparable cases ended with hairless coyotes, including one confirmed by DNA in Texas. The public still has one solid demand: a captured specimen and testing, not a louder legend.
- The originating report places the story in a concrete setting: alleged attacks on poultry and rabbits near the Texas–Mexico border, alongside officials’ denial of receiving unusual-attack reports.
- Maussan’s description of a 70-centimetre, upright, human-like animal expands the report beyond a routine hairless canid, but the available story does not provide specimen or laboratory evidence.
- Comparable chupacabra cases show why a captured body can resolve the dispute: veterinary pathology has documented a supposed chupacabra as a wild canid suffering severe Sarcoptes scabiei infection.
Sources · 10
- 3 Journals & institutions
- 6 News reporting
- 1 Forum, video, personal
What do these mean?
- Journals & institutions. Published in a peer-reviewed journal, or from a university, government body, court or other institution.
- News reporting. Journalism: newspapers, magazines and news sites.
- Forum, video, personal. Forums, social posts, video, blogs and personal accounts.
Featured · Analysis · reddit.com
Mexico's Mysterious Hairless Beast Reportedly Snatches Farm Animals as 'Chupacabra' Fears Resurface
Forum or personal account
Linked article (ibtimes.co.uk): Mexico's Mysterious Hairless Beast Reportedly Snatches Farm Animals as 'Chupacabra' Fears Resurface | IBTimes UK ## Jaime Maussan claims a creature is taking poultry and rabbits, but Juárez officials say they have received no reports By Bernadette B. Tixon Published 21 October 2026, 10:04 PM BST Reports of a mysterious hairless creature preying on animals near the T
Read sourceAnalysis · ibtimes.co.uk
UFO Investigator José Jaime Maussan Discusses New Theory Regarding Strange Creature in Mexico | IBTimes UK
News reporting
UFO Investigator José Jaime Maussan Discusses New Theory Regarding Strange Creature in Mexico | IBTimes UK ## Jaime Maussan divulges an interdimensional origin for the Juárez Valley creature By Briane Nebria Published 22 October 2026, 2:01 PM BST Mexican UFO investigator Jaime Maussan questions the
Read sourceAnalysis · doi.org
Pathology in Practice
Journal · peer-reviewed
# Pathology in Practice Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Published: 2014-12-17. 0 citations. ## Authors - Randi M. Gold (Texas A&M University): h-index 8; 164 citations; corresponding author - Sarah Morar Schneider (Texas A&M University): h-index 8; 177 citations - Michael R.
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