In its true form, the Cuca is a shadowy, noncorporeal entity that exists to prey on naughty children, in much the same way as the boogieman. It can shapeshift into whatever form its target child fears most, but, if left to choose for itself, it will most often choose to take the form of an anthropomorphic alligator. One working theory is that the Cuca is the spirit of a long-deceased swamp witch which has changed shape so much it no longer remembers its original form.