Werewolf mice, ghostly frogs and cockroach zombies: the animal versions of our Halloween horrors

By Alex Dittrich, Senior Lecturer in Zoology, Nottingham Trent University
Kat Hamill, Senior Lecturer in Zoology, Nottingham Trent University

Around this time of year, elaborate decorations featuring ghosts, vampires, zombies, witches and werewolves adorn front doors, gardens and shop windows across the country.

But you may be surprised to hear that in the animal world, there are many real-life creatures with similar tendencies to these fictional characters of our Halloween nightmares.

The southern grasshopper mouse (Onychomys torridus) howls at the moon to defend its territory and attract mates, a little like werewolves…

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