Werewolves

The clouds part to reveal a full moon. The unmistakable howl of a werewolf fills the night. It’s a scene you might be familiar with from stories or films but legends of these shape-shifting creatures have existed for thousands of years.

Werewolves are often shown as walking upright, but hunt and howl as wolves, and lope on all fours to run. They can be traced back to ancient times. Cave paintings from 10,000 years ago show beings that appear to be a mix of human and animal and the oldest written examples of man transforming into wolf are almost as old as modern civilisation.

The idea of human-wolf shapeshifters has evolved over time and different cultures have developed their own interpretations of these tales. But how does someone become a werewolf, why do full moons trigger transformation, and – most importantly – could werewolves actually exist?

Whatwolves

Legends offer many paths to becoming a werewolf. Some stories attribute the transformation to curses, others suggest items like enchanted cloaks made of wolf pelts (skin) are to blame. Film adaptations play the biggest role in shaping their modern image. In the Twilight book series, Jacob Black inherits his ability to shapeshift whereas a bite or scratch from an existing werewolf gives Remus Lupin the ability to transform in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Certain characteristics have become well-known and associated with werewolves. The moon’s cycles have long been intertwined with werewolf lore, particularly the idea that a full moon triggers transformation. Violence and the idea that the person has no control over “the beast within” are popular themes in werewolf stories.

Wherewolves

Transformation has been used as an explanation for various crimes. Peter Stumpp, known as the Werewolf of Bedburg, claimed to own a belt that allowed him to transform into a werewolf. In reality, Peter might have suffered from a mental illness known as clinical lycanthropy, a rare condition causing individuals to believe they are transforming into animals. Could these creatures simply be a metaphor for the worst aspects of human nature?

A study from the Calvary Mater Newcastle hospital in Australia revealed a correlation between full moons and violent behaviour in their A&E (Accident and Emergency) Department. Almost a quarter of incidents occurred on a night of a full moon, more than during any other lunar phase. Researcher Leonie Calver described the patients as “modern-day werewolves”. However, so far there has been no accurate scientific explanation for this phenomenon.

Whywolves

Accusations of werewolfery are often based on misunderstandings. In the past, people lacked the knowledge to explain certain events which sometimes led to the creation of supernatural explanations like werewolves. Gruesome crimes, unusual physical traits, and injuries were sometimes attributed to these mythological creatures. This provided a way to explain the actions of those who seemed ‘possessed’ or ‘out of control’.

The belief in werewolves is similar to that of witches. In the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries, ‘werewolf hunts’ would often take place, a precursor to later witch trials. The punishment for being a werewolf often involved being burned at the stake (burned alive). However, one of the things that make werewolves so fascinating is how close to humans they actually are. Dr Eleanor Dobson, a lecturer at the University of Birmingham says that unlike witches, werewolves are living people trapped between human and animal states. She believes werewolves reflect “the parts of us that we would rather remain hidden”. Do we all have a bit of werewolf in us?

Whenwolves

Werewolves remain a fascinating subject and films, books and TV shows continue to popularise them. Even in modern times there are occasional sightings that defy explanation. Two police officers encountered an “enormous wolf-like beast” in Windsor in the year 2000 and residents of Cannock Chase in Staffordshire repeatedly report the presence of “7 foot tall” figures. Someone even claimed the creature might be living in the mines and coming up to hunt deer. Despite numerous investigations by professionals and amateurs alike, no evidence of a werewolf has ever turned up.

Werewolves and their connection to darker aspects of human nature continues to terrify. Is it that we’re scared of a mysterious creature howling over the horizon – or just of ourselves?

Also

Lunar cycles play a crucial role in the lives of many non-mythological animals, including moths.

Being primarily nocturnal (night-time) creatures, moths use the moon as a stellar sat-nav. Acting as a navigational aid, it allows them to maintain straighter and more consistent flight paths. Called transverse orientation, it works in a way similar to how navigators might use stars as reference points.

Certain moth species time their emergence to coincide with specific lunar phases. Many are more active and engage in mating rituals during nights with brighter moonlight, such as during a full moon. Increased visibility during these phases enhances the chance of successful reproduction.

First published in The Week Junior Science+Nature, issue 67, November 2023.