Over the years, folklores, traditions and superstitions associated with Halloween have come and gone, but some have persisted into the present-day — including supernatural associations with and fears of certain creatures, including real-world animals. Black cats, bats, spiders and rats have become synonymous with the spooky holiday, and many people around the world avoid and are afraid of them, but why? We explain how these animals have become some of the most dreaded on the planet, along with why you needn’t be frightened of them this Halloween, and beyond.
Black cats