The Science of Monsters

In many movies featuring werewolves, the person who has transformed has no memory of their exploits. How does science explain temporary memory loss? There are a few medical conditions that could affect memory as shown in these horror films. The first is transient global amnesia. People suffering from this condition will often not know where they are or how they got there. This type of amnesia is shown in werewolf media such as An American Werewolf in London (1981) and the TV show Being Human (2009–2013). The causes of this type of memory loss could also be explained by becoming a werewolf: change in blood flow and strenuous physical activity.

The main feature of werewolf stories is their ability to shapeshift. There are numerous examples of shapeshifters in literature and legends such as Skinwalkers in the Navajo culture and Sauron in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Are there instances of shapeshifters in nature? Discovered in 1998, the mimic octopus can shapeshift and take on the form of other animals or objects. It’s even able to mimic color and texture. In 2011, a study found that cuttlefish were able to mimic pictures or other visual cues to “blend in” with their surroundings.⁴ They can mirror nearby plants or structures to evade predators. Pufferfish use their stretchable stomachs and their ability to quickly ingest huge amounts of water or air to puff themselves up to several times their normal size. Some species also have spines on their skin to make them even less edible. Another sea creature that can shapeshift is the deepstaria jelly. It relies on its entire body and its ability to change shape in order to catch its prey. At first glance it looks a bit like a floating blanket or a plastic bag. But when enveloping its victims, it cinches its bottom shut to “create a balloon of death.”⁵ It lives in deep water in complete darkness and was only recently captured on film in 2017.

Moving onto land, there are many shapeshifters in nature including the mutable rain frog, a type of frog that skips the tadpole stage and develops directly within their eggs. The frog was spotted in 2009 by researchers who took it to be photographed. When they initially saw it, it had a spiny texture to its skin. The next morning it was smooth. Eventually they realized the frog was able to morph into the texture that would protect it best in its environment. In 2015 the tentacled caterpillar was discovered in Peru. At first glance the caterpillar may appear to be just a twig or a branch on a tree but if disturbed, the caterpillar has the ability to shoot out four, white-tipped tentacles from its back. Chameleons can also be considered shapeshifters due to their ability to blend in with their surroundings. Chameleon skin has a layer which contains pigments, and under the layer are cells with guanine crystals. When the space between the guanine crystals shifts it changes the wavelength of light reflected off the crystals. This can be used for camouflage but also in social signaling and in reactions to temperature and other conditions.

Not only animals can shapeshift. Organisms and materials can mimic others as well. Slime mold are organisms that can live freely as single cells but can come together to form multicellular reproductive structures. When a mound or ball of slime mold is physically separated, it can find a way to reunite. Biologist John Bonner⁶ contends that slime molds are “no more than a bag of amoebae encased in a thin slime sheath yet they manage to have various behaviors that are equal to those of animals who possess muscles and nerves with ganglia—that is, simple brains.” He also states that these amoebae are the least understood by scientists so far and have a lot to be studied.

We may not have proof of werewolves among us but there are vast amounts of knowledge yet to be discovered in the animal kingdom. Through science we will be able to come to a better understanding of the life that surrounds us and perhaps be inspired to write the next horror movie based on a real-life creature.

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A FINAL NOTE

Horror movies have moved us, terrified us, thrilled us, and made us question the world around us. Before I (Meg) walked by Kelly in her X-Files shirt, our love of horror often felt like a secret, a misunderstood aspect of our lives. It wasn’t until our chance meeting so many years ago that we learned how horror and fandom can bring people together.

If you share in our nostalgia of picking out VHS tapes in the video store, we hope that you never stop seeking out the spooky. And if you’re new to the genre, our hope is that this book has intrigued you to become one of us!

In an age when we can find horror at the click of a button, it is more important than ever to share in the films that made us who we are. So, rise from your graves, emerge from the darkened shadows, and show yourself—we’ll see you in the horror section!