Physical Characteristics:
* Increased size and strength: Werewolves are often depicted as being significantly larger and stronger than their human counterparts.
* Enhanced senses: They might have heightened senses of smell, hearing, and sight.
* Hair: Thick, coarse fur or hair covering most of their bodies. The color can range from gray or brown to black or even white.
* Fangs and claws: Sharp, pointed canines and claws for tearing and ripping.
* Animalistic features: Some may have elongated snouts, pointed ears, or glowing eyes.
* Transformation: The process of changing into a werewolf can be painful and accompanied by physical changes like bone cracking or muscle growth.
Behavioral Traits:
* Increased aggression and primal instincts: Werewolves often become more aggressive and animalistic, driven by primal instincts and a thirst for blood.
* Nocturnal: Many are active primarily at night, avoiding sunlight.
* Howl: A distinctive, haunting howl that serves as a call to others or as a warning.
* Pack behavior: Some werewolves live in packs, following a hierarchy and communicating through howling.
* Vulnerability to silver: Silver is often depicted as a powerful weapon against werewolves, weakening or even killing them.
Mythological Variations:
* Folklore: In traditional folklore, werewolves are often depicted as cursed individuals who transform involuntarily under the influence of the full moon or by being bitten by another werewolf.
* Modern fiction: In modern fiction, werewolves may have more control over their transformation, possess supernatural abilities beyond animalistic traits, or have a more complex relationship with their human side.
Remember, the specifics of a werewolf's features depend on the source material. There's no one definitive answer.