Therianthropes are a staple of the monster lexicon. They are…
What? What is a Therianthrope? Oh. Sorry. A Therianthrope is a human who has the ability to turn into an animal of some sort. It might involve magic, a curse, the nature of the person; it might happen at will, at certain times of the month, or even when another wishes it. But no matter what – these are people who can become creatures or creatures who can become men.
Now, we are all perfectly aware of werewolves and all their variants (even if you’re reading one of those written-for-teenaged-girls-and-middle-aged-women stories where monsters are made romantic figures… bleh). And weretigers from India and the werebear of indigenous American belief are also becoming quite common in films and literature. Not to mention a variant from indigenous America, the Skin-Walker. But from the cultures across the world there are so many more to choose from. Let’s look at ten that could add some spice to a horror work.
1) Aatxe
(also known as Etsai) 
What? Coming from Spain, the Aatxe was said by some to be a spirit, by others to be a man. As time went on, the idea that he was a man came to the fore. But he had the ability to change into a young bull, most often coloured red. He was a benevolent creature who attacked criminals and sinners. They lived in caves and it does seem that they developed from worship of bull-shaped cave spirits.
Story? A young man with red hair, becoming a vigilante bull at night, or even a bull-man hybrid. A minotaur as a super-hero!
2) Andrealphus
What? In Persian belief the Andrealphus was a man – often a teacher or mentor – who could change into a peacock. Some legends said there was just one, others that there were a whole flock of them, the latter being most common. It is interesting to note that in later Christian demonology he was claimed to be a Marquis of Hell who could turn men into birds.
Story? Being taught by a peacock is odd, but what if the later Christians were onto something and he was shiftier in his motivations?
3) Cindaku
What? The Cindaku was a Sumatran version of the Weretiger. They existed as normal humans, (though they did lack a philtrum, the channel between nose and upper lip), but at certain times of the year they would journey to a different village where they would kill those villagers before returning home. Some legends state that males turned into tigers, females into panthers. There were also other legends where they turned into human-feline hybrids.
Story? What if the nearest village was a major city? And what if a couple did this, so some reported a tiger, some a panther? And what if they decided once a year was not enough? Plenty to play with.
4) Encantado
What? In Brazilian legend the Encantado were beings that could change between human and fresh-water dolphin. They were said to have a love of music and sex, and were regarded as friendly. They had a habit of seducing humans in order to breed. Some locals along the rivers still believe in the Encantado to this day, with some claiming to be descended from one. They are seemingly used an explanation for a mysterious pregnancy.
Story? A sexual predator who is also a dolphin? They love music, so maybe a rock star. And the women finding out after they are pregnant to a dolphin could be… interesting.
5) Glaistig
What? This Scottish therianthrope was a female with long yellow hair (sometimes grey) who could take on the form of a goat or a goat-human hybrid (similar to the Roman Faun). She would entice men particularly to follow her, then slit their throats and drink their blood. In some tellings, the Glaistig was said to be a Hag or old woman who could turn into a goat, and in some areas, the Glaistig was simply a form of Fairy, said to be beautiful, with goat features.
Story? This one drinks blood! A true Chupacabra (which means don’t forget, goat-sucker). How would the hero/ine explain that a goat was doing the killing? They eat paper, don’t drink blood!
6) Hombre Caiman
(also known as Alligatorman)
What? In the modern folklore of the region of the Magdalena River, Colombia, this therianthrope was believed to live (and some still believe it) as a fisherman who could change into an alligator-human hybrid once a year to hunt human victims. One version of the legend said that he needed a potion to change.
Story? Obviously, one moves to the big city, and maybe even lives with the homeless, roaming the sewers as the Hombre Caiman.
7) Inorrooq
What? This therianthrope was found in Greenland, where she was described as an older woman who could turn into a raven at will.
Story? Sounds simple, but ravens are not un intelligent birds, and so she could easily hide amongst a flock. Maybe the Inorrooq could be a victim, and she has taken the raven form to hide herself, while being pursued by bad guys and good guys alike.
8) Nanaue
What? In the legends of Hawaii and some other Polynesian islands, Nanaue was a man who could change into a shark. In some myths he was the son of the King of Sharks, in others he was the king, and his descendants (also called Nanaue) had his shape-shifting ability.
Story? This could be one of the scariest therianthropes. A huge man who looks like a rugby player able to turn into a shark? Scary at both ends!
9) Selkie
(also known as Selchie, Silkie)
What? In Scotland and Ireland, the Selkie was a common therianthrope. Generally female (though there were males mentioned), they could transform into a seal, normally with the aid of a special sealskin which they kept hidden when in their human form.
Story? Maybe not particularly evil, but the legends of the Selkie were if a man found and hid the sealskin, she was forced to stay with him as a human and be a doting wife, leaving as soon as the sealskin was back in her possession. What if she did this intentionally and used it as an excuse to kill men before fleeing as a seal?
10) Werehyena
(also known as Bouda, Bultungin, Dab’a, Kpelekpe)
What? The Werehyena was a common form of therianthrope in the folklore of Africa and Eurasia, where they were regarded with suspicion and also as great magic users. However, their designs when it came to humans were never really explained as in some cultures many blacksmiths and women were said to be Werehyenas.
Story? Yeah, a werewolf without he howl but an insane cackle. Does not need much else.
And there you have it – 10 alternate therianthropes that could surely be used in horror books and/or movies. There is still a place for your stereotypical werewolf, common werebear, and recent skin-walker, as well as and other types that appear in modern tales, why not give these a go? They could certainly add spice and a sense of the different to a horror tale…
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Steven Streeter is from rural Australia and has been writing since childhood. He is a former professional wrestler, with two children, and has recently completed his third university degree. An unabashed fan of pulp fiction and escapist entertainment, he has had a number of short stories published in anthologies and magazines. He has also had a young adult horror novella published (Under Ground, Black Hare Press), and two adult horror novels (Patch of Green, Little Demon Books; Invasive Species, AM Ink).