We have a tendency to interpret meaning in the forms and behaviors of animals.
This inclination to read into these encounters is deeply rooted in our cultural history. A prime example is the superstition surrounding black cats, a belief that stems from the medieval mindset. During that time, darkness was often equated with evil, and this perception extended beyond animals to include deeply ingrained prejudices against people with darker skin tones, who were unjustly viewed as inferior and labeled as 'savages'.
This historical bias shaped a narrative where darkness, in both literal and metaphorical senses, became linked with negativity and fear.