The Rougarou is a shape-shifting beast rooted in Cajun history across Louisiana's bayous. Often described as a humanoid creature with the body of a man, but the head or features of a wolf or dog, some accounts depict it with glowing red eyes, sharp teeth, and a fearsome hairy form. Its appearance varies across stories, sometimes resembling a bear, dog, or other beast. The Rougarou is often said to be a human cursed to transform into a beast, typically at night. The curse may last a set period or until specific conditions are met, like passing the curse to another by drawing blood.
Some tales link the curse to witchcraft, voodoo, or breaking religious rules, such as eating meat during Lent, cursing them to transform for 101 days. Victims of the curse prowl swamps at night, hunting the wicked, but can be repelled by scattering thirteen objects, usually coins or rice which supernaturally compel the creature to count them obsessively. The creature's inability to count beyond twelve makes the number of scattered objects an effective ward it compulsively fixates on, but can't comprehend or surpass, trapping it in futile recounting until dawn breaks the spell.