The Cucafera or Cuquesferes (plural) is a wingless Dragon-like or Turtle-like monster within Catalan folklore (and/or mythology). It's described to have a dragon-like or crocodile-like head and tail, extendable neck, turtle shell, spikes going down it's spine, dragon ears (most of the time), reptilian claws, and an undetermined amount of legs. (However, depending on the area, the Cucafera may have an appearance that does not fully match what was said above. For example: the Cucafera of Begues, Cucafera of Valencia and the Targafera). It lived in a cave and is said that every day, it dines on 13 cats and 3 live children. It was capable of breathing out fire from its mouth and eyes (at least according to legend) and would gnash its teeth, often creating a loud noise that terrified children. According to a legend, a knight, named Rufolet (or Rufo), would save Princess Rubí from one by cutting off the creature's ears and tail (as instructed by a Sprite or Goblin or Elf named Xaco, that Rufolet saved earlier), causing the creature to eventually become docile, following Rufolet and Rubí back to Tortosa. A different tale depicts that the Cucafera was tamed by Saint Martha of Bethany (according to some sources) or Saint Margaret (according to others,) after it was captured and brought to her by a young boy (represented as a young Princess and young knight during "La Cucafera Baxia!" respectfully). And a tale within Begues, depicts a good but lonely Cucafera saving a maiden named Rosaclara from an arrogant knight, who had kidnapped her on horseback. After saving her (either by scaring off the knight or devouring him), the Cucafera offered the maiden a ride back to her castle. The Cucafera did eventually get trapped into a cave in Can Sadurni by a demon (or the literal devil) after hearing the deed the Cucafera did. The Cucafera would break free years later and rushed to the town and celebrated with the villagers, who gladly accepted the creature with open arms.
The Cucafera often represents idolatry and heresy and can be compared to and/or considered related to the Tarasca (Tarasque), as one Tarasca in Barcelona can sometimes be known as the Cucafera of Barcelona.