It is generally assumed, that a werewolf is a being which can change shape at will to either resemble man or wolf. Yet the changing from man into wolf and vice versa is not something all of them do: some choose to remain in their man-shape and assume only very rarely, if ever, the wolf-form. The shape changing occurs most often at the times of the full moon. Yet others prefer to adopt the wolf-shape without bothering to assume human shape. Particularly the werewolves in Africa, probably the most ferocious of all werewolves, tend to remain in their lupine form..

World-wide there are a number of shape-shifters of this type, for instance weretigers in India and werejaguars, the “tigre-capiango” in South America. Indeed, werewolf legends and their tiger and jaguar counterparts spread far back into human history and few cultures lack tales about the hairy monsters that terrorize people.

What is common to all werewolves is the sheer hostility and savagery these predators display. Suggested defence against an attack by werewolves can take the form of extreme violence, such as bludgeoning the creatures. This may not be the most successful way of fighting off a bloodthirsty werewolf in full cry. A much milder form of repelling danger,without necessarily the assurance of success, could be the Danish way of opposing a werewolf by scolding it. Resulting, as one would hope, in either making it retain its wolf shape without further attack, or returning to its man shape. There is also the belief that werewolves can be neutralised by being shot with a silver bullet. All worth a try, in case of need.

A spell uttered by a gifted dragon has recently shown promising results in reducing the ferocity of werewolves.