Why are Bats, Owls, Toads, and Crows Associated with Halloween?

With the spookiest season in full swing and Halloween decorations abound, you might be wondering why certain animals are so often featured in our harvest-themed festivities. Why do plastic owls and crows decorate every lawn? Why does every depiction of a witch feature a toad? And why do fake bats seem to hang from every nook and cranny? 

It turns out that the spooky mythologies surrounding these creatures are long-standing traditions that were developed from ancient humans’ understanding, or fear, of the natural world. This year, we are taking the opportunity to delve a little deeper into the strange stories of how these four groups of wildlife—bats, owls, toads, and crows and ravens—have become integral parts of our horror culture over the course of thousands of years.