Werewolf mice, ghostly frogs and zombie cockroaches: 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…

Read complete article

~	Pan’s Labyrinth at 20: how Guillermo del Toro created his timeless dark fairy tale

~	Pan’s Labyrinth at 20: a powerful, symbolic tribute to Spanish resilience in the face of fascism

~	England needs 120% of normal rainfall to come out of drought this winter – storms won’t fix that yet

~	What brain scans can reveal, and why they don’t always explain symptoms

~	Grattan on Friday: an embattled government tells Australians the pain they feel won’t end any time soon

~	King Charles’ visit to the Caribbean evokes specter of British slavery – and local demands for justice

~	US: New Hurdles to Having Votes Counted

~	Israel election by the numbers: who might form the next government?

~	Unlike anything I’ve seen: why this whale season has marine scientists puzzled

~	Grok can launch a thousand ships – but this AI remake of the Odyssey can’t make us feel