The Capelobo [Brazilian mythology]
Anteaters are universally known to be fluffy and not scary – unless you’re an ant, that is. The native Brazilian tribes in the Xingu river area, however, beg to differ: they have been plagued since ancient times by a monster known as the Capelobo. This mythical monstrosity has the shape of a giant humanoid, covered in a thick layer of fur and with legs that end in round feet. Its head is that of an anteater. At night, it wanders through forests and human settlements, announcing its presence with a loud howl.
When it finds a suitable target (usually a child but sometimes an adult, if I understand correctly, and sometimes an animal), it embraces them tightly to prevent the prey from escaping, and then makes a small hole in the top of their skull. It uses its long anteater tongue to suck the brain mass of their victim through that hole. The monster’s weak spot is its navel, and as such it can only be killed by a shot in the navel.
Note that in some depictions, it is shown with a tapir’s head instead. I wonder if the presence of giant brainsuckers was one of the reasons why Bolsonaro got elected?
(image source 1: https://hugosouza.artstation.com) (image source 2: Gustavo Rinaldi on Artstation)
