livingartifact (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
livingartifact) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomhigh2017-11-15 12:58 am
livingartifact) wrote in fandomhigh2017-11-15 12:58 am
Entry tags:
Introduction to Earth Zoology, Wednesday, period 1
"El chupacabra," Jenkins said at the top of the class, in lieu of his usual greeting. "Any of you signed up for the 'cryptids' course may already feel familiar with this creature, and may, in fact, have a lead on most of humanity in that respect. Little is known of this mysterious creature, which was only first recorded in the mid-1990s on most Earths. First discovered on the island of Puerto Rico, the chupacabra's natural range is limited to the southeastern United States, northern Mexico, and the Caribbean islands, though there have been reported sightings as far off as Russia." He pointed these regions out on the map, then turned a smirk to the class. "Having met the creature, I can assure you: if it was ever that far north, it was deeply unhappy, and probably wearing at least a couple thick wool coats.
"Chupacabra of course is Spanish for 'goat sucker', an appellation earned by its vampiric appetite for blood, specifically that of goats. A hungry chupacabra can and will exsanguinate an entire goat in seconds, occasionally managing to draw out the animal's organs as well as its blood — a thoroughly gruesome sight, I assure you. This has earned it a particularly nasty reputation, but as I have lately learned from personal experience, el chupacabra can be trained to assume a more symbiotic relationship with a goat herd, protecting it from other predators in exchange for measured, non-lethal feedings." He crossed the room to a closet door, pausing before opening it. "The particular chupacabra you're about to meet is one such trained animal. Though his herd is not present, I would advise against making any overtly threatening gestures or approaching too rapidly. Or — smelling like a goat. So should you be armed with goat pheromones today, I will ask you to please place them out in the hall until our animal encounter is over."
He opened the door, revealing a hairless, lightly scaled dog-like creature with a defined ridge of quills down its back and long fangs, which it bared at the students, before turning in place, grabbing a burlap sack with its teeth, and dragging it out into the room.
"Well now," Jenkins said, marveling. "This is a treat. It's brought along some of its homemade jerky." He leaned down, allowing the creature to sniff at the back of his hand before scooping the bag up. It whined in the back of its throat and wagged its tail. "This animal is, as far as I know, the only jerky-making chupacabra in the known multiverse, so all of you, please take a piece. Even if you don't eat it, it's sure to be scientifically fascinating!"
"Chupacabra of course is Spanish for 'goat sucker', an appellation earned by its vampiric appetite for blood, specifically that of goats. A hungry chupacabra can and will exsanguinate an entire goat in seconds, occasionally managing to draw out the animal's organs as well as its blood — a thoroughly gruesome sight, I assure you. This has earned it a particularly nasty reputation, but as I have lately learned from personal experience, el chupacabra can be trained to assume a more symbiotic relationship with a goat herd, protecting it from other predators in exchange for measured, non-lethal feedings." He crossed the room to a closet door, pausing before opening it. "The particular chupacabra you're about to meet is one such trained animal. Though his herd is not present, I would advise against making any overtly threatening gestures or approaching too rapidly. Or — smelling like a goat. So should you be armed with goat pheromones today, I will ask you to please place them out in the hall until our animal encounter is over."
He opened the door, revealing a hairless, lightly scaled dog-like creature with a defined ridge of quills down its back and long fangs, which it bared at the students, before turning in place, grabbing a burlap sack with its teeth, and dragging it out into the room.
"Well now," Jenkins said, marveling. "This is a treat. It's brought along some of its homemade jerky." He leaned down, allowing the creature to sniff at the back of his hand before scooping the bag up. It whined in the back of its throat and wagged its tail. "This animal is, as far as I know, the only jerky-making chupacabra in the known multiverse, so all of you, please take a piece. Even if you don't eat it, it's sure to be scientifically fascinating!"
Re: Oogle the animal
Somehow, she managed to get the biggest piece out of the bag without looking, and was now squinting at it thoughtfully. Maybe she could trade with somebody.