The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch investigates all sorts of paranormal and UFO-related theories about the show's namesake property, but here's an explanation behind the shapeshifter wolves mentioned on it. The History Channel docuseries follows astrophysicist (among other titles) Travis Taylor as he joins a team of scientific experts, seasoned ranch workers, and security team members in investigating alleged paranormal activity on an extensive piece of property in the Utah desert. Some of the team have a fearful reverence for the seemingly palpable and destructive energetic darkness that they believe the property is home to. But others, such as Taylor, search for more conventionally logical reasons behind the strange occurrences on the land.
And, for years, there have been plenty of them to go around. There's been a slew of possible UFO sightings, unexplained lights in the desert wilderness, and even surgically precise cattle mutilations in broad daylight on the property (which isn't typical behavior for many predatory animals). One ranch worker even shares an anecdote about how, one night when he was out alone by the mesa, a pair of wolf-like, red eyes glowed at him in the dark from nearby before disappearing into thin air. For believers of the paranormal and/or folklore, this experience points toward the presence of a spirit from which the ranch gets its name: a "skinwalker."
The concept of skinwalkers actually comes from Native American folklore. The ranch is located around 400 miles north of the Navajo Nation. This particular tribe believes these sinister spirits (called "yee naaldlooshii," which roughly translates to "with it, he goes on all fours") are shapeshifters. Using a type of black magic that is known for its demonic ability to kill, possess, curse, inflict disease upon, and read the minds of others, they can take on an animal form of their choosing. They also commonly wear items such as animal skulls, antlers, and skins - hence their eerie title.
Skinwalkers are said to undergo a werewolf-esque transformation at night, morphing into animals such as wolves, coyotes, foxes, owls, and more. And despite their naturally bloodthirsty nature, they must kill other people to survive. Similar to other murderous, secret societies (akin to the ones covered in Netflix's occult-themed serial killer doc Sons of Sam), groups of skinwalkers are said to congregate in clandestine areas, such as caves. While there, they practice ceremonies involving their malevolent magic, and are also believed to engage in taboo acts such as cannibalism and necrophilia. Additionally, they're said to have supernatural abilities such as superhuman speed and the ability to jump tall cliffs.
According to those interviewed on The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch, the Navajo are believed to have cursed the land the property sits on after being mistreated by the Ute tribe. Now, the earth there is spiritually tainted, causing misfortune to those who dare to disturb it in any way. Whether viewers believe in shapeshifters and curses or not, the occurrences on Skinwalker Ranch are unsettlingly enigmatic. And what is known about the legendary dark magic practitioners from which the property gets its name certainly has some eerie connections to the ranch's seemingly paranormal activity.