The fact that there are myths/tales of shapeshifters in virtually every culture around the globe does tend to lend more credibility that these are more than simply stories made up by the campfire.

For example, in the In Navajo culture, the skin-walker (yee naaldlooshii) is a type of witch who has the ability to turn into, possess, or disguise themselves as an animal. the phrase literally means 'he or she who goes on all fours' and is an evil entity that often took the guise of a coyote to cause harm to other Navajo tribe members, which is very contradictory to their normal way of life.

Similar tales can be found throughout Latin America, and even among the Inuit - if there is not some basis in reality for these legends - how is it that virtually every culture has come up with them?