Anchor for Skip to main content accessible link

Halloween Myths About Black Cats, Rats and Spiders Explained by Animal Care Experts

[ 31 Oct 2026 ]

Animal care lesson featuring a blue-tongued skink

As the evenings draw in and Halloween approaches have you ever wondered why some animals are synonymous with this spooky time of year?

A tarantula with orange and black markings sits on the floor of a terrarium beside a decorative gravestone featuring a skeleton and the words "RIP".

Experts from the Animal Care Unit at South Devon College can help shed some light on why some creatures, like black cats, rats, spiders and bats are associated with Halloween and why they don’t deserve their menacing notoriety.

So where did it all start to go wrong? It’s thought that witch trials contributed to the superstition around these animals or familiars as they were known.

It’s estimated that around 500 women were killed for practising witchcraft in England between the 15^th and 18^th centuries, although exact numbers vary. In Devon, Alice Molland was the last woman to be executed in England for the crime of being a witch.

Many people believed that small animals served as witches’ companions. These loyal guardians and protectors to witches would assist them with magic. But according to the Animal Unit Manager at South Devon College, black cats, spiders, bats and owls have unfairly borne the brunt of these myths for centuries.

“I think another reason we link these animals to Halloween is their association with the night and their secretive behaviours in the dark. It adds to their spooky notoriety,” said Chloe Chart.

But Chloe says the key is to replace fear with understanding.

“Many people have grown up believing that certain animals, particularly snakes and spiders, are dangerous or something to be frightened of. The job of the College animal care staff is to help students understand these animals themselves first, so they can confidently share accurate information with the public.

“Sometimes, simply seeing an animal up close and learning a little about it can completely change someone’s perspective.”

A student in an animal care setting carefully holds a patterned snake with both hands. — A student gains hands-on experience handling a snake as part of animal care and welfare studies.

A large stick insect stands on a student's fingers during a practical animal care activity. — A student holds a stick insect, providing a close-up view of the insect’s distinctive body structure and long antennae.

Chloe says the myth around black cats go back to the 17^th century when people were terrified of witchcraft. Black cats were thought to be witches in disguise or their familiars and could bring bad luck if they crossed your path.

She’s keen to dismiss these myths. “Black cats are as loving and friendly as any other type of cat,” says Chloe. “Unfortunately, their association with bad luck persists, especially around Halloween. But they’re just beautiful animals who deserve love and care like any other pet.”

Animal shelters have even noticed that black cats are sadly the least likely to be adopted due to some of these age-old superstitions.

Rats, like black cats and toads, have also long suffered from a poor reputation. Linked to disease and filth, especially after the Black Death, they are another animal connected with witches and the supernatural. Rats were believed to scurry around witches’ homes or be used in their potions.

And finally, the spider. Closely associated with Halloween it was believed that witches would change their shape into a spider to slide into people’s homes. Then add in the cobwebs and the way they move, for many people spiders are simply terrifying.

“One of the biggest misconceptions is that if an animal that looks frightening it must be dangerous, aggressive or unpleasant,” said Chloe. “Spiders are a good example: people often judge them by their appearance rather than understanding their behaviour and the role they play in nature.

“Spiders can be particularly good conversation starters because they often provoke such a strong reaction. For some students, it’s a snake; for others, it’s a spider or even a stick insect. The real breakthrough is when curiosity starts to replace fear.”

A blue-tongued skink is gently held in a student's hands during an animal care practical session. — A student carefully holds a blue-tongued skink as part of hands-on learning in animal care and management.

But Chloe says the biggest change happens when students get the opportunity to observe an animal closely and learn what it needs. “They begin to recognise that defensive behaviour is often a response to feeling threatened, rather than an animal deliberately trying to harm them.”

For anyone interested in a career looking after animals of all shapes and sizes, South Devon College offers a range of animal care and animal management courses based at its industry standard facilities. Students get real-world experience in caring for exotic animals, farm animals, and companion species and gain qualifications and skills to pursue careers in veterinary nursing, wildlife rehabilitation, animal rescue, or zoo work. Take a look here: Animal Care – South Devon College