Half human and half tiger, weretigers prowl silently through the jungles of Asia. Like werewolves, weretigers go about the day looking like normal humans. At night, these monsters attack victims out of vengeance or a thirst for blood. Legend has it that there are several ways to become a weretiger, including some pretty disgusting rituals.
Man-Beast: Weretigers are said to have the strength of tigers and the cleverness of humans. Plus, the tiger part of the beast gives the creature thick claws and large, sharp teeth so they can slash at victims and deliver deadly bites.
Weretiger Way: Unlike werewolves, who turn into beasts only after being bitten by one, people can actually choose to become weretigers. Some do it so they can take revenge on someone who tricked or cheated them, while others simply have a craving for power and violence.
How to Become a Weretiger[]
Some people want to be weretigers.
According to legend, there are several ways a person can turn into a weretiger. In Malaysia, only sorcerers can change a human into the beast, and they tend to charge a lot of money for such a service. On the island of Java, a person just has to recite the words of a curse while wearing a tiger costume. Becoming a weretiger is the most gruesome in Bali-a person has to steal the guts from a dead body, boil them in broth and drink it.
Spotters: Weretigers change back to human form during the day, but they can be identified by a black spot on their lower backs. These spots are thought to be where the tails were burned off.
Legends: According to some legends, only the dead can become weretigers. If someone who led a bad life prays for forgiveness as they die, they may rise from their grave and slowly transform into a tiger.
Tiger Trap[]
- A small village in Malaysia has been plagued by a man-eating tiger, so a trap is set to capture the beast. The villagers build a strong cage and tie up a goat inside. During the night, a tiger crawls into the trap and devours the goat, but trips a wire that traps the beast inside.
- At sunrise, two young villagers hear screams and howls coming from the trap, so they arm themselves with spears and go check what has been caught. To their horror, one of their own people is trapped inside, covered with the goat's blood. Realizing that the man is a weretiger, they may have to kill him.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The Weretiger is the suspect on the Monster Mania 35 card, A Tiger Tale, a mystery investigated by the Weird n' Wild Detectives.