Good night everyone.

[Bloody Angel]

There are multiple kinds of "werewolves", and they need not always be specifically a wolf. Some examples are Jaguars (Africa/India), Bears (Asia/ N. America/ N. Europe), Wolves (worldwide), Jackels (Africa), Hyenas (Africa), Foxes (Asia/ N. America), and Tigers (Asia) to name but a few. I've also read about bats, snakes, spiders, and dragons, but I'm not entirely sure if these are shifter legends or just legendary spirits or demons that could change shape.
Some animal features that Shifters/"Therianthropes" generally have in common are usually a mammailian aspect, as well as a predatory nature. That might be why you never hear about those Werehampsters. 
I think that the Werewolf (being specifically a wolf in nature) is the most popular because most societies have them. They're known almost worldwide.
~ Loup

What about werecows, which I have been mocking somewhere in this forum but have actually a label to describe their shifting abilities?

[Nina]

Earlier humans found the Wolves evil, so eventually the term Werewolf came up, its' just one of the many creatures that have stuck in the human brain since we've learned to walk.

I'm inclined to disagree, M. In most nomadic cultures, the wolf was venerated as a kindred spirit, not an evil adversary. Until the rise of agriculture and the domestication of farm animals, wolves had no reason to bother humans, and vice versa. The commonly held belief among anthropologists today is that the wolf was considered like a brother species to tribal peoples in Northern Europe, as well as the Native Americans (with the exception of the Sioux).

And to recall that humans in neolitic period tamed wolves and they became the mans best friends. I believe that everybody has his kindred spirit in an animal, they just dont know yet,  because western civilization succesfully anihiliated old values.

[Dark Lord M]

I am going by what has evolved in the human mind from Europian stories such as the Big Bad Wolf, Old Werewolves, and such. Because of these stories the wolf has gotten a bad rep with humans, but people as I can see are bringing the wolf back. Most things I say about certain animals are opinions, that why I don't post about Werewolves and Vampires.

[Maggot Man]

ome animal features that Shifters/"Therianthropes" generally have in common are usually a mammailian aspect, as well as a predatory nature. That might be why you never hear about those Werehampsters.  wink

Or maybe they're simply too ashamed to admit it. Therianthropy is not restricted to mammals alone. One of the sites I that  have visited on this subject, was created and maintained by a were who claimed to incorporate within his soul, various aspects of every single member of the greater reptillian family.  He felt convinced that this was the reason behind his ability to ''connect'' with almost any species of reptile, a trait shunned by most other human beings..

In non-Western cultures that venerate powerful reptiles like the python, tales of reptillian shifters would not be uncommon. And I've also heard talk of shifters with the spider as their animal aspect.

[Dark Lord M]

Earlier humans found the Wolves evil, so eventually the term Werewolf came up, its' just one of the many creatures that have stuck in the human brain since we've learned to walk.

I'm inclined to disagree, M. In most nomadic cultures, the wolf was venerated as a kindred spirit, not an evil adversary. Until the rise of agriculture and the domestication of farm animals, wolves had no reason to bother humans, and vice versa. The commonly held belief among anthropologists today is that the wolf was considered like a brother species to tribal peoples in Northern Europe, as well as the Native Americans (with the exception of the Sioux).

I am going by what has evolved in the human mind from Europian stories such as the Big Bad Wolf, Old Werewolves, and such. Because of these stories the wolf has gotten a bad rep with humans, but people as I can see are bringing the wolf back. Most things I say about certain animals are opinions, that why I don't post about Werewolves and Vampires.

[Maggot Man]

I believe that everybody has his kindred spirit in an animal

I believe that sharks are majestic animals. What does that hint about my nature? 

[Nina]

That you didnt evolve much for thousands of years

[Alphamale]

that you smell like fish?

[Maggot Man]

that you smell like fish?

Shouldn't sniff me on those days I decide to skip my usual shower. 

[quoteThat you didnt evolve much for thousands of years

Ahh, evolution is overated anyway..

[The_Seeker]

Maggot Man is absolutely right.  There are numerous phenotypes including people who have a more draconic side and there are the otherkin as well.

[Nina]

It would be dull the other way......

[Alphamale]

there is much we don't, and may never know about the world, life is all about discovering those things.

[Hollow]

Well, Iceland Turkey Serbia Iran ... China even.. im all over the globe, i just like Iceland the most, all the countryside is quiet and peacefull for my dread mind