7 Myths About Werewolves You've Been Made To Believe

These ferocious shapeshifters might have long since been relegated to the fictional category, but the myths and legends surrounding them remain harder to dispel. Here's a look at seven myths about werewolves you've been made to believe, just in case a hairy beast ever comes knocking at your door on the full moon:

That werewolves can turn at will, regardless of the full moon

While folklore always said that werewolves had to compulsorily transform with every full moon, modern pop culture has us believe that most werewolves can choose whether to transform or not once they've broken the curse. Although given the choice, why you'd want to transform into a furry monster at all is above us.

That howling at the moon is an absolutely necessary part of their transformation

Because howling at the moon at a deafening volume and giving the people around a heads up that there's a ravenous wolf on the loose is the smartest way of finding yourself some dinner.

That werewolves do not age at all

Which is basically because of the constant regeneration of physical tissue that occurs as part of the curse. And because writers in showbiz felt that having hunks who don't age at all was healthier for their storylines.

That werewolves belonging to the same pack can communicate with each other using telepathy

All thanks to the strong psychic connection they share with each other. And because werewolves needed some cool superpower as well, seeing as vampires (Read: The Cullens) had got the monopoly on mind-reading.

That werewolves and vampires are sworn enemies

Again, pure conjecture. Given how they both share a love for ripping people's heads off, if anything, you'd think they'd be BFFs by now.

That werewolves are extremely temperamental in real life

Constantly telling a monster that he has anger issues? Yeah, we can see how that'd make even the most saintly werewolf temperamental.

That crosses and holy water help repel werewolves

Nope, they only work on vampires. If you're ever come face-to-face with a ferocious werewolf, you might want to take a time-out to run to the nearest apothecary for some wolfsbane. Also, confusing your monsters is not the smartest way to placate a wolf, so you might want to keep those crosses and stakes well away. Just saying.

What myths have you heard about werewolves? Tell us in the comments below.