Facebook Pixel Werewolves | The Week Junior Science+Nature UK - science - Read this story on Magzter.com
Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD

Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD

Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just

$149.99
 
$74.99/Year

Try GOLD - Free

Werewolves

The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

|

Issue 67

Howl in horror this Halloween, and discover the truth behind these beastly shapeshifters

Werewolves

The clouds part to reveal a full Moon. The unmistakable howl of a werewolf fills the night sky. When there’s a full Moon, some people are said to transform into these hairy beasts, which are a cross between human and wolf. It’s a scene you might be familiar with from stories or films, but legends of these shapeshifting creatures have existed for thousands of years.

Werewolves are often shown as walking upright, but hunt and howl as wolves, and run on all fours. Cave paintings from 10,000 years ago show beings that appear to be a mix of human and animal, while drawings from 17th-century Sweden show giant men with the strength to carry multiple victims at once. However, how does someone become a werewolf? Why do full Moons trigger transformation? And – most importantly – could these monsters actually exist?

Terrifying transformations

MORE STORIES FROM The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

Make a smoothie bowl

Use left-over fruit and veg to whip up this breakfast treat.

time to read

1 min

May 2026

The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

Indian snakes travel by train

King cobras - the world's longest venomous snakes - are slithering on board trains across India, researchers have revealed.

time to read

1 min

May 2026

The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

Carr House Meadows

The UK's wildflower meadows are often brimming with life, colour and sound. As these habitats are full of plant and animal species, they are very precious.

time to read

1 min

May 2026

The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

Did dragons ever exist?

These fire-breathing monsters have been flying into stories for centuries.

time to read

2 mins

May 2026

The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

Should big species return to the UK?

Would you be happy about large animals roaming our countryside - including predators?

time to read

1 mins

May 2026

The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

SAVING CORAL REEFS

Find out how scientists, conservationists and imaging experts are joining forces to discover more about corals and bring reefs back to life.

time to read

1 mins

May 2026

The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES

Step into a miniature world that quite literally buzzes with life.

time to read

1 min

May 2026

The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

Windermere Science Festival

On 9 and 10 May, Windermere Science Festival returns to Windermere Jetty Museum. Get ready for science-themed family fun, including roving robots and awesome virtual reality.

time to read

1 min

May 2026

The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

Aneeshwar Kunchala

Hear from a young TV star about his new series and his ambition to save wildlife.

time to read

3 mins

May 2026

The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

The Week Junior Science+Nature UK

WORLD'S OLDEST COCKATIEL

Sonny, a family pet living in the US state of Illinois, has been officially recognised as the oldest of his species.

time to read

1 min

May 2026

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size