Elmendorf Beast
Encyclopedia
The Elmendorf Beast was the name given to a coyote blamed for several attacks on livestock in Elmendorf
, Texas
. Various opinions have been offered as to the identity of the creature, including that it was a Mexican Hairless Dog
whose appearance had been altered by sickness and/or congenital ailments, and that it was a wolf–coyote
cross. Some local people have linked it to the legend of the Chupacabra
, while others believe that it was the product of a lab experiment that escaped, or that it was a previously unknown form of canid that was forced into contact with humans after its natural habitat was destroyed.
and unusual skin which was blue and hairless. Experts at San Antonio Zoo
were unable to conclusively identify the creature, but based on its skull they speculated that it was a Mexican Hairless Dog
. It was later determined by DNA
assay conducted at University of California, Davis
to be a coyote with demodectic or sarcoptic mange. Other experts also concluded that it was not originally hairless, but that it was instead suffering from sarcoptic mange
. DNA gathered from the carcass was inconclusive due to environmental degradation, though it was confirmed that the animal was a member of the canine family.
Two similar carcasses were discovered in Texas and were found to be coyote
s, suffering from very severe cases of mange.
Elmendorf, Texas
Elmendorf is a city in Bexar County, Texas, United States. It is part of the San Antonio—New Braunfels Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 664 at the 2000 census. Elmendorf is located seventeen miles southeast of San Antonio at the juncture of Farm Road 327 and the Southern Pacific...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Various opinions have been offered as to the identity of the creature, including that it was a Mexican Hairless Dog
Mexican Hairless Dog
The Mexican Hairless Dog is a rare, hairless breed of dog, the size of which varies greatly. It is also known as Xoloitzcuintle .-History:...
whose appearance had been altered by sickness and/or congenital ailments, and that it was a wolf–coyote
Coyote
The coyote , also known as the American jackal or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada...
cross. Some local people have linked it to the legend of the Chupacabra
Chupacabra
The chupacabras is a legendary cryptid rumored to inhabit parts of the Americas. It is associated more recently with sightings of an allegedly unknown animal in Puerto Rico , Mexico, and the United States, especially in the latter's Latin American communities...
, while others believe that it was the product of a lab experiment that escaped, or that it was a previously unknown form of canid that was forced into contact with humans after its natural habitat was destroyed.
Analysis of the carcass
In August 2004, an animal eventually termed the Elmendorf Beast was shot and killed by local rancher Devin Mcanally. The animal was found to be twenty pounds (nine kilograms). It had a severe overbiteMalocclusion
A malocclusion is a misalignment of teeth or incorrect relation between the teeth of the two dental arches. The term was coined by Edward Angle, the "father of modern orthodontics", as a derivative of occlusion, which refers to the manner in which opposing teeth meet.-Presentation:Most people have...
and unusual skin which was blue and hairless. Experts at San Antonio Zoo
San Antonio Zoo
-External links:...
were unable to conclusively identify the creature, but based on its skull they speculated that it was a Mexican Hairless Dog
Mexican Hairless Dog
The Mexican Hairless Dog is a rare, hairless breed of dog, the size of which varies greatly. It is also known as Xoloitzcuintle .-History:...
. It was later determined by DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
assay conducted at University of California, Davis
University of California, Davis
The University of California, Davis is a public teaching and research university established in 1905 and located in Davis, California, USA. Spanning over , the campus is the largest within the University of California system and third largest by enrollment...
to be a coyote with demodectic or sarcoptic mange. Other experts also concluded that it was not originally hairless, but that it was instead suffering from sarcoptic mange
Mange
Mange is the common name for a class of persistent contagious skin diseases caused by parasitic mites. Since mites also infect plants, birds, and reptiles, the term "mange," suggesting poor condition of the hairy coat due to the infection, is sometimes reserved only for pathological...
. DNA gathered from the carcass was inconclusive due to environmental degradation, though it was confirmed that the animal was a member of the canine family.
Two similar carcasses were discovered in Texas and were found to be coyote
Coyote
The coyote , also known as the American jackal or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada...
s, suffering from very severe cases of mange.