The Spook-tacular History of Halloween Animals

Posted October 11, 2024 by Addy Messerly

Happy HallZOOween! Animals have traditionally been incorporated into the Halloween culture through their portrayal in costumes, decorations, and more. What animals come to your mind when you think of Halloween? Cats, bats, spiders, and owls are commonly thought of, but why do we have this immediate mental image of these critters? The simple answer: they are mysterious and nocturnal. Nothing says “spooky” better than an animal with dark coloration sneaking around in the shadows of the night. During their nighttime adventures, these animals search for food, which is likely other animals, causing them to have a predatory depiction as well. While these general characteristics emphasize why these animals are representatives of Halloween, let’s dive deeper into the unique explanation for each of these animals.

Cats

A notable superstition is that crossing paths with a black cat will bring one bad luck. In medieval Europe, black cats were identified as the furry friends to witches, which had a role in prompting this myth. As witchcraft is known to provoke fear amongst individuals, black cats were associated with this fright and are now a token for the scary nature of Halloween. However, black cats truly provide good luck to an ecosystem, as their predatory instinct gives them the important role of controlling rodent populations, and their dark coloration allows them to catch these creatures without being spotted.

Bats

Bats have an appearance that is strange to humans, as they hang upside down and are the only mammal that can fly. As they also have clawed wings that can wrap around their bodies like a cape, their physique and behavior are considered peculiar – the perfect representation of Halloween. There is nothing strange about why bats are necessary in the world though, as they maintain balance in the ecosystem by regulating insect populations, and their ability to fly enables them to do so in addition to pollinating plants and dispersing seeds.

Giant fruit bat with one wing open

Spiders

Spiders are known to appear out of nowhere due to their normally dark bodies and small size. This mysterious nature is complemented by the fear caused by their potential ability to serve a venomous bite. With them hiding in corners to secretly spin their webs, they are associated with abandoned houses – the best haunted house. Their elusive behavior furthers their ability to effectively catch their prey (mainly insects), which indicates how spiders consequently control insect populations and reduce the spread of disease by said insects.

front view of a red kneed tarantula

Owls

In ancient Rome and medieval Europe, individuals believed that witches transformed into owls in order to travel at night, leading to their eerie reputation. The screech of an owl was also deemed an omen of doom, which displays how tales, in addition to their nocturnal and predatory behavior, steered owls to the path of Halloween stardom. Despite these tales, owls are essential components in an ecosystem as they largely prey on rodents, which prevents the overpopulation of these species and sustains a balanced ecosystem.

barn owl jasper

Are you eager to learn more about creepy crawly critters though? The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is offering two Zoo Night Hikes on October 12th and October 26th from 6:00pm – 7:30pm where you will learn all about creatures that are perceived as terrifying, but they truly are just amazing! This experience involves a hike in the Zoo, thrilling activities, and an animal encounter with our animal ambassadors. Register today for this family fun!

Do you also want to be like a Halloween animal and be a creature of the night? Join the Zoo in celebrating the spooky season with our newest event, Jack O’Lantern Glow! This family-friendly adventure involves a half mile walk through the Zoo where illuminated displays and 5000 hand-carved pumpkins brighten the path to transform the Zoo into an autumn paradise. This event only occurs on certain days in October, so make sure that you plan this experience today.

Have a faBOOlous Halloween!