The term “encantado” is used to describe them all!  The word is used mainly by Brazilians and other South Americans to describe a certain dolphin that lives in the Amazon River and is belived to have the ability to transform into a human.  In dolphin form, the creature takes on the appearance of the Boto dolphin, which is a very large freshwater river dolphin (it’s also sometimes called the Amazon River Dolphin), which, interestingly enough their skin can appear to be pink, and they are therefore often called “Pink Dolphins”.  Another interesting thing about these dolphins is that they are considered the most intelligent of the river dolphins (which are different from ocean dolphins).

WHEN they transform:  It is believed that this dolphin can shapeshift into human form, and prefers to do so at night.

WHERE they go when shifted:  You have the best chance of seeing them shapeshift next to the river…and especially if there is a party nearby.  It is said that the encantado love parties, and will shapeshift into human form to attend one!

WHAT they look like in human form:  It is said that, when in human form, the dolphin people are very pale skinned, and sometimes even still have their blowhole (an easy way to identify them).  They most often take on the appearance of handsome men.  They move gracefully, love music (both listening to it and performing), they love to dance, they love to flirt (and are considered very flirtatious), and it is also said that they prefer to dress in lively, brightly-colored clothes.  They also often wear hats.

“POWERS” of the encantado – Legends say that these shapeshifters can hypnotize or control humans, and are often compared to vampires in that regard.  It is also said that they can control weather storms!

The term “cynanthropy” can be broken down in Greek as:
kun-, kuōn meaning “dog” and anthrōpos, meaning “man”.

While weredogs may seem to be a modern phenomenon, their roots are actually quite old. Perhaps one of the earliest associations with a “shapeshifted” dog can be found in the myths and legends of Hecate – an ancient goddess.  Ancient writings depict the goddess as having three heads – one representing a horse, one of a dog, and one of a serpent.  Other writings depict the goddess as always accompanied by a dog companion.  Some say that the dog companion that is often seen with the goddess is actually the shapeshifted Queen Hekabe (aka Queen Hecuba). Also interestingly, the goddess Hecate herself is often depicted as a dog!!

It is important to understand that weredogs are different from werewolves. When the weredog transforms, it is generally into a larger dog breed type. Weredogs are certainly powerful creatures with enhanced senses, but do not have the sheer power that a werewolf has. In addition, the weredog is not governed by lunar cycles or the moon in the manner that some werewolves are. It is also said that a weredog cannot infect humans with a bite or a scratch, but rather one is born into being a weredog, or develops it latently. In human form, a weredog is virtually indistinguishable from a regular human.

One way to describe these creatures is with the term “hamrammr” – which is an old, traditional, non-modern term in Icelandic writings for a shapeshifter, or someone that is able to change form or shape.  The hamrammr is however not the traditional werewolf we think of in English, but is rather a wereanimal.  The difference is that these creatures do not simply transform into wolves.   Writings claim that the hamrammr  is able to shift into any creature that it last consumed!  Dinner last night was rabbit? Then the creature can shift into a rabbit!  Deer?  The creature can transform into a deer!

The hamrammr takes on not only the form, but also the characteristics of its shapeshifted self, meaning it can be as strong, mean, or kind as any of the animals it transforms into.  In general, the hamrammr are known for being powerful, crafty, wise, and dangerous creatures.  When provoked, they will attack.

Similar to a werewolf, the werebear is a human that has shapeshifting abilities – but instead of transforming into a wolf (aka the werewolf) someone that is a werebear will transform from human into a bear! This transformation typically happens during the period of the full moon, when muscles thicken and hair grows all over the body of the afflicted individual.

Although there are many legends of the werebear, one of the earliest references to the creature can be found in Greek mythology in the story of  Callisto.  Greek mythology says that the god Zeus had a child with Callisto named Arcas.  The goddess Hera became jealous of Callisto, and in her jealousy transformed Callisto into a bear!

Gmork the werewolf from The Never Ending Story

For those of you who never watched or read the Neverending Story, let me give you a brief synopsis.

The story is about a boy named Bastian who steals a book  called the Neverending Story.  Bastian starts reading the book in the attic of the school and is soon deep in the world of Fantasia.  Fantasia is about to be destroyed by a creature called “The Nothing”.  One person stands in its way however – a boy warrior named Atreyu who is Bastian’s age.  Atreyu has a magic medallion that guides him.

never ending story

If you have never seen the Neverending Story, go and watch it!  It was filmed in the 1980s and is really good – regardless of whether or not the “werewolf” creature is portrayed as evil. 

Watch all the scenes that have the Wolf Gmork!

The ancient Olmec civilization of Mesoamerica – a pre-Columbian civilization that was one of the earliest civilizations in the Americas – left behind a number of ancient artifacts for us to study their culture – a  culture that dated back as far as 1000 BC.  Cave paintings, huge stone sculptures and ancient artifacts are all part of the legacy that they left us as evidence of their existence, and as influence for future civilizations. But one thing that really stands out in the artifacts that they left, is their belief in, and representations of shapeshifters!

Olmec Stone Sculpture of a WereJaguar

The Were-Jaguar – a half-human, half-animal creature – is depicted over and over again in Olmec art. Yes, the Olmecs believed in were-jaguars and shapeshifters!!  Even more than believed in them – they worshipped them! The were-jaguar was not just a passing fad, or a story in a book to them.  They were in fact a real part of their existence. In fact, in Olmec culture, the jaguar was considered a very special creature and was associated with rain and fertility.  But they were more than animals, they were deeply integrated into their very selves.  It is believed that the Olmec shamans transformed into the jaguar by wearing the animal’s skin – thus becoming the “were-jaguar”. This is interesting because many of the tales of how to become a werewolf or werecreature involve wearing something.  For example, in perhaps the most famous of all cases – the famous werewolf case of Peter Stubbe – he had a magical belt that he put on to help himself transform.  Could there be something to this?  Are there special things out there in the world that would let you transform if you were to merely put them on?  The Olmecs certainly thought so.