Arica Monster

The Arica Monster (Dromaeodelphis atacamaensis) is a rare species of marsupial endemic to the Atacama Desert in Chile.

Taxonomy

It is closely related to Opossums, but belongs to its own family the Dromaeodelphidae.

The Arica Monster is very large for a marsupial reaching up to 6 feet in height and 14 feet in length, although much of the creature's length comes from its long, fat-filled tail that helps the creature tough-through times of food scarcity. The Arica Monster has a body plan very similar to that of a non-avian theropod dinosaur, often causing the creature to be misidentified as such by the few people lucky enough to see one in the wild.

Ecology and Behavior

Arica Monsters are cryptic, solitary animals usually coming out only at night and preferring to stay as far away from humans as possible.

They are omnivorous, feeding on both plants and small animals, though they will not refuse carrion or human garbage if they find any.

Arica Monsters hunt the variety of small mammals and reptiles that call the Atacama Desert home, chasing them down at speed of up to 30 mph, before snatching them with their sharp taloned forelimbs or delivering a bite to the back of the head.

Conservation

The Arica Monster is a naturally rare species, but rising global temperatures and occasional poaching from Cryptid Hunters have pushed the species to being an Endangered species, and it is estimated only 200 individuals still live out in the wild.