Animals have always played a major part in all forms of mythology, legends and religion. A popular subject matter of UL's is Snakes. The very word can make some people shudder, and are often portrayed throughout mythology as evil and conniving creatures. The Christian story of the Garden of Eden portrays the snake as the very symbol of evil and temptation, and they don't fair up to much in the legend of St. Patrick, where he was praised for ridding the whole of Ireland of these reptiles. Snakes in Greek mythology also have a rough ride, especially when famously acclaimed for giving the evil Medusa a bad hair day!

Not all mythology regard snakes as evil, and they were considered sacred among certain cultures. The Aztecs worshipped snakes, and the Aboriginals of Australia believed that a giant rainbow serpent was the creator of life. The Rock Python was considered sacred by some African cultures, and it was forbidden to kill them. Although snakes are regarded highly with these cultures and others, they are sadly back to the stereotype of 'Dr. Evil' when it comes to UL's.

Another popular animal of mythology throughout the times are Cats. The popular pet has had a varied reputation over the years that go from one extreme to another. Cats were worshiped by the ancient Egyptians, and were supposed to protect the living and the dead from evil. To the other extreme, cats in some legends are considered evil, especially when associated with witches and black magic.

Cat stories are very common in UL circles. In fact, some legends grouped as 'The Dead Cat' stories even have their own theme. Cats are a versatile subject for legends, as they are either loved or loathed by humans.

Another form of cat legends is the 'Big Cat' sightings, which are sightings of animals such as Pumas and Panthers in urban areas. This topic is covered in the research of Cryptozoology, which is the scientific study of hidden animals. Don't worry, I haven't lost the plot, Cryptozoology will be explained in greater detail in the summary of the UL 'The Surrey Puma' (AN1602).

Finally, we have spiders. Spiders are a sure hit with the fear factor, and our eight legged friends are an essential ingredient to the world of UL's. These little creepy crawlies can strike fear in the hearts of the toughest of men, and transform them into snivelling babies. Even the mere sight of one in your bathtub, can put you off your bubble bath for weeks!