14 Types Of Shapeshifters You Probably Haven't Heard Of
By BECKY STEPHENSON
History - Science
KUSHTAKA
The Indigenous Tlingit, Tsimshian, Nootka, and Haida people of northwestern Canada and Alaska believe in malevolent shapeshifting sea otters called kushtaka or kooshdakhaa.
These shapeshifters can turn into people or half-otter, half-human creatures. It’s believed if a person is killed by one, the victim’s soul is trapped and becomes a kushtaka.
ASWANG
The aswang of Philippine folklore is a creature that disguises itself as a human — often a woman with long, dark hair — and spends its day selecting its victim.
At night, aswangs transform into either a large bird, a human head and torso with wings and dangling entrails, or a Tasmanian devil-like beast. They then devour their victim.
KITSUNE
Kitsune are supernatural foxes in Japanese folklore that can transform into humans of a certain age. They often become attractive women with some fox-like traits.
Most kitsune are benevolent, though some are mischievous or even vindictive, possessing women to trick and seduce men, steal their life force, exact revenge, or simply have fun.
SELKIE
Selkies are seal shapeshifters in Irish, Scottish, and Icelandic folklore who come ashore by shedding their skin and tail, often appearing as dark-haired humans.
Selkies must put their skin back on to return to the sea; however, if their pelts are lost or stolen, they will remain trapped in human form forever.
BAKENEKO
In Japanese folklore, the bakeneko is an ordinary house cat that attains supernatural abilities if certain conditions are met, like weighing over seven pounds.
The bakeneko can then shapeshift into a person and walk on two legs. It also has magical powers, such as raising the dead and possessing people.