Tradition: Brazilian Mythology
Alternative Names: Cupelobo, Cupélobo
Category: Forest Dweller
The Myth
The Capelobo is a terrifying shapeshifting monster that prowls the forests of northern Brazil, particularly in the regions of Pará and Maranhão. It can appear as a large, shaggy animal resembling a tapir, with long black hair and the elongated snout of a pig or dog. In other versions, its snout resembles that of a giant anteater, while its body takes on a more humanoid shape. The creature has short, sturdy legs and unusually round feet, leaving strange, circular tracks in the forest. It is also known for its piercing screams, which announce its presence among the trees.
The Capelobo is a fearsome predator that hunts after dark, sometimes raiding forest camps to snatch newborn puppies and kittens. It attacks people by crushing them in a deadly embrace, biting their necks to drink their blood, or thrusting its long snout into their heads to suck out their brains. Its appetite for blood and brains makes it one of the most dreaded creatures of the Brazilian wilderness. In some traditions, it is believed that elderly Indigenous men can transform into the monster, taking on its shaggy, beast-like form.
Despite its immense strength and fearsome appearance, the Capelobo has one vulnerable spot: its navel, which is hidden beneath long strands of fur. A shot or arrow striking this precise point is said to be the only reliable way to kill it. Hunters therefore fear confronting the creature, as its thick coat conceals the one place where it can be wounded. Known in Maranhão as the Cupelobo, the monster remains a dreaded presence in the forests, where its screams warn of its approach and its strange tracks reveal the passage of a deadly hunter.
Sources
“Capelobo.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 11, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capelobo