Top 10 Most Misunderstood Animals

You've been lied to. For years. By cartoons, scary stories, sensational headlines, and that one friend who swears he saw a snake chase his cousin once. A lot of animals have been thrown under the metaphorical bus because someone decided they looked creepy, had too many teeth, or just didn't fit into the warm and fuzzy mold. And now, here they are, stuck in your mind as villains, monsters, or bad omens, when really, they're just out here trying to survive like the rest of us.

Some of the creatures on this list have been accused of things they never did. Others are feared for traits that make perfect sense in the wild but got twisted into horror movie clichés. It's like being on trial for being ugly or misunderstood just because you don't purr or fetch sticks. Meanwhile, a lot of the same animals people run from are actually shy, helpful, or downright gentle when not provoked.

But the damage has been done. Generations have grown up thinking these animals are the bad guys, when the truth is usually far more boring or way more fascinating.

This is your chance to set the record straight. Look through the list and vote for the animals that you think deserve better PR.

The Top Ten

Sharks

Sharks are a type of elasmobranch fish known for their cartilaginous skeletons, multiple gill slits on the sides of their heads, and pectoral fins that are not fused to the head. They belong to the clade Selachimorpha, which is considered the sister group to rays.... read more

Here's the thing: sharks have existed on our planet for more than 400 million years! Many people think they are killing machines that want to eat us. Almost all young children believe that as well. But as you get older, you will realize, just like I have, how important sharks are to the ecosystem around the entire world. It's simple: without sharks, the oceans will suffer.

I have mentioned this in another list, but yeah, sharks are seriously misunderstood. This is probably due to film portrayals, their appearance, and perhaps their attitude toward their offspring in most species. However, most people probably only consider the first two because they compare them to humans (I don't know whether this is true. I'm just guessing).
Wolves

The wolf (Canis lupus), also known as the gray or grey wolf, is a large canine native to Eurasia and North America. Over 30 subspecies of Canis lupus are currently recognized. Gray wolves represent the wild subspecies. As the largest extant member of the Canidae family, the wolf is distinguishable from... read more

*Sigh...* Wolves are still misunderstood, but for a different reason than before. Wolfaboos, listen up. Wolves are not endangered. Some are, like the Ethiopian wolf or the red wolf, but the gray wolf, the one most think about, is of least concern, and its numbers are steady. They also don't have this crazy complex pack order. There are two alphas that are the parents of the pack.
They aren't some god-like creatures. They are simply animals. Also, a Kangal could absolutely demolish a healthy wolf, just getting that out there.

As much as I think wolves are likeable, I'd rather see a wolf as a villain instead of a hyena. At least wolves have had a few positive portrayals in modern media. Hyenas, on the other hand, are still vilified to this day.
Some believe that the domestic dog descended from wolves. Maybe not from the modern gray wolf, but from some extinct wolf species that once roamed Europe, according to what I have read. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Gorillas

Gorillas are herbivorous, predominantly ground-dwelling great apes that inhabit the tropical forests of equatorial Africa. The genus Gorilla is divided into two species: the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla, and either four or five subspecies. The DNA of gorillas is highly similar to that of humans... read more

Why do gorillas represent violence? They are very gentle and rarely start violence. When they pound their chest, it's to seem tough, but they don't want to fight. Watch the YouTube video "Koko the Gorilla Cries Over Loss of Kitten."

Gorillas are really gentle and loyal. If you get them angry, it's kind of reasonable.
Black Cats

Not many people are still as superstitious, and black cats are just as popular as pets as any other color of cat. It isn't racism, as a certain color of cat is not a race. Also, don't wish that kind of fate on anyone, especially if their only crime is being superstitious.

This is not true! I have walked past a black cat plenty of times if one happened to be passing by, and nothing bad happened afterward! Black cats are like all other cats and do not deserve this reputation because of a superstition!

I have a pet black cat named Blackie, and he is so friendly but also very shy around new people. Anyway, black cats are just as good as any other cat!
Bats

Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera. With their forelimbs adapted as wings, they are the only mammals capable of true and sustained flight. Their long, spread-out digits are covered by a thin membrane called the patagium, which gives them remarkable aerial maneuverability and allows many species... read more

People just don't like these guys because they are either seen as flying rodents or as scary monsters from movies due to their association with vampires.
They're an important part of the ecosystem, and their diet can range from fruit to insects. Some species are even pollinators. Even vampire bats are helpful because their anticoagulant saliva has been used in medical science! Not to mention they never drink so much blood that it negatively impacts an animal.
Plus, animals don't have to be useful to humans to be worth keeping alive.

Bats are always associated with creepiness. They actually have a network of family and friends and a good social life. When they can have a social life, they are smart.
Pigs

A pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the Suidae family of even-toed ungulates. Pigs include the domestic pig and its ancestor, the common Eurasian wild boar, along with other species. Related creatures outside the genus include the peccary, the babirusa, and the warthog.

Pigs are misunderstood for their dumbness when they are actually very smart. People usually look at pigs as dumb, dirty, and dumb. They are kept as pets in some parts of the country. They love human attention and are trainable.

Pigs are really smart, despite not being able to look up all the way. They are nice and cute. Lots of people simply see pigs as smelly, dirty, rotten creatures. Those people are heartless!

Both the piglets and the adults are the cutest animals I can think of. Lazing around, rolling in the mud, and not caring what people think of them somehow makes them even more adorable.
Snakes

Snakes are elongated, legless, carnivorous reptiles that belong to the suborder Serpentes. Unlike legless lizards, snakes do not have eyelids or external ears, which are key distinguishing features. They can be found in a wide range of habitats around the world and vary greatly in size and behavior.

Snakes are amazing animals and are highly underestimated. They are considered "evil" and "devilish," but really, a snake is just like you and me, a living creature with thoughts and feelings. Not to mention they make brilliant pets (not the venomous ones, of course).
Snakes are amazing. People also think they are ugly and slimy, but you will be surprised when you hold one. They have smooth scales and are beautiful creatures, not ugly. Mammals are not the only animals that are "cute." All animals are brilliant and unique in their own way.
Snakes are one of the greatest animals on Earth. They do not bite unless they think they are being harmed. They don't care about harming humans. They are the same as any other animal.
Bears

Bears are carnivoran mammals of the family Ursidae. They are classified as caniforms, or dog-like carnivorans. Although only eight species of bears are extant, they are widespread, inhabiting a wide variety of environments across the Northern Hemisphere and parts of the Southern Hemisphere. Bears are... read more

I can't believe it when people say bears are evil. What did they do to you? They did NOTHING. They were just being protective of their kids! What's so bad about that? What if YOU had a kid, and somebody suddenly came over, chopped your head off, kidnapped your kids, and antagonized you until your species became threatened? Wow...

Bears are beautiful and not savage. Hunting provokes bears, and seeking them out can, of course, make them feel threatened and lead them to attack. And yes, hunting is wrong. People once used it only when they needed fur and meat, but as a sport, it is disgusting to take something's life just for a cruel sport.
Bumblebees

When somebody tells me they got stung by a bee, I always say, "Poor bee." You know why? Because if you get stung once or twice, you'll most definitely live, but bees will most definitely die. Besides, being scared makes you more prone to being stung because bees mistake it as aggression. If you're not scared, they sting you because you mess with them.
If you feel like they stung you for no reason, stop being selfish! The bee died while you just got a little owie! It died, okay? The world bumble bee population is going down, and nobody seems to care much. Yes, there's honey, but bees pollinate 90% of crops.

People fear them because they have stingers. They think bees will sting you for no reason, but that's not true. They will only sting you if you mess with them. And then the bee dies afterward, but no one seems to care.
Mice

A mouse is a small rodent characterized by a pointed snout, small rounded ears, a body-length scaly tail, and a high breeding rate. The best-known species is the common house mouse, which is found in homes and urban areas worldwide. Mice are also popular as pets and are widely used in scientific research... read more

Mice are not dirty little rodents. They are actually intelligent. No one is too small to matter. They are natural students who excel at learning and understanding concepts. They have excellent memories, and once mice learn a navigation route, they never forget it.
Mice and rats are also highly social animals. They become attached to each other, love their own families, and easily bond with their human guardians. They make sounds similar to giggling when having fun. But who cares about rats and mice, right?

I never understood people's deal with rodents, including mice and rats. It's the feral mice and rats that carry diseases, and I honestly don't see what people think is so "scary" about them. I have no problem with them.

The Newcomers

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Sloths

Sloths are mammals classified in the families Megalonychidae and Bradypodidae, comprising six extant species. Noted for their extremely slow movements, they spend most of their lives hanging upside down in the trees of the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. These arboreal animals are... read more
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Raccoons

The raccoon, sometimes spelled racoon and also known as the common raccoon, North American raccoon, or northern raccoon, is a medium-sized mammal native to North America. It is recognized for its distinctive facial mask and ringed tail.... read more

The Contenders

Dogs

The dog, or domestic dog (Canis familiaris or Canis lupus familiaris), is a domesticated descendant of the wolf and is characterized by an upturned tail. Derived from an ancient, extinct wolf species, the modern wolf is its closest living relative. Dogs were the first species to be domesticated by humans... read more

A dog's aggression (if it is aggressive) isn't because of its breed. It's because of the way it was raised. If a dog is beaten and/or taught to attack people, that is what it will do because that is what it knows. If it is taught to be lovable, that is what it will be.

Many people think that pit bulls are vicious, but they're not! It's dog fighting that gave them a bad reputation. I used to have a pet pit bull, and she was really nice. The worst thing she's ever done was fight another dog over food, but that was one time. Pit bulls are nice, cute, amazing, and awesome. I love them.
Piranhas

A piranha, or piraña, a member of the family Characidae in the order Characiformes, is a freshwater fish that inhabits South American rivers, floodplains, lakes, and reservoirs. Piranhas are known for their sharp teeth and powerful jaws. While often exaggerated in popular media, some species are carnivorous... read more
Lions

The lion (Panthera leo) is a large cat in the genus Panthera, native to sub-Saharan Africa and a single isolated population in western India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body, a short rounded head, round ears, and a hairy tuft at the end of its tail. Adult males are larger than females and have... read more
Ants

Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae and, along with related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. They evolved from wasp-like ancestors during the Cretaceous period and have since diversified into over 12,000 species. Ants are known for their complex social colonies and division... read more

Thousands of ants are dying each day. When people keep killing ants, it's actually really mean because they can't do anything but try to run away. Imagine there are these giants who keep smashing everyone. That's probably exactly how ants feel.
Humans

Humans (Homo sapiens) are the most abundant and widespread species of primate, characterized by habitual bipedalism and comparatively large, complex brains. These traits have enabled the development of advanced tools, culture, and language. Humans are highly social and live in complex structures, ranging... read more

Habitat destruction, poaching, and war crimes. These are the things we human beings are often associated with. While it is true that there are really terrible people, not all of us are rampant monsters who are hell-bent on destroying habitats, hunting wild animals to extinction, killing millions of innocents, etc.

The greatest creature on Earth ever. Smart, and while yes, they can be asses and cause global warming, there is still no creature better. Churchill, Gandhi, Jesus, Stephen Hawking, and all 7.6 billion of us working together change the world.
Hyenas

Hyenas, or hyaenas, are carnivorous mammals belonging to the family Hyaenidae. With only four extant species, they represent the fifth-smallest biological family in the order Carnivora. Despite their small number, hyenas play a vital role as both predators and scavengers in their ecosystems.

You know what is sad? Some people actually defend the bad reputation of hyenas, saying stuff like, "they make good villains," or "hyena biologists are acting ridiculous," or "we must follow folk traditions since the 'evil hyena' stereotype has been used before, so it must keep being used for generations," or other crud I don't care about.
I know fiction is fiction, but The Lion King has been a horrible influence on people's views of these animals. Fans of the bad hyenas in The Lion King and The Lion Guard are not true hyena lovers.

It's all The Lion King's fault that hyenas have gotten such a horrible reputation. I thought the old folk stories of the past had it bad enough. Hyenas are often mistaken as henchmen or a species exclusive to the villain side because of this movie.
For a change, I'd rather see a good guy or girl that is a hyena instead of another villain that's one. In reality, hyenas are intelligent and excellent hunters who hunt their own prey most of the time. It's usually the lions who scavenge from hyenas more often than the other way around. (No offense to lion lovers, just telling the truth.)
Spiders

Honestly, there is nothing dangerous about them unless you see, say, a tarantula or a black widow. They protect your homes from other, more harmful insects, and you repay them by killing and fearing them. Another reason the human race is stupider than spiders.

I think spiders are pretty cool, and some are actually harmless. They're useful because they prey on nasty, harmful insects like mosquitos and flies that carry disease. If it weren't for spiders, we would have a problem.

I feel sorry for all the bugs. Humans just kill them whenever they see them. Spiders can't help the fact that they look creepy.
Parrots

Parrots, also known as psittacines, are birds comprising roughly 393 species in 92 genera within the order Psittaciformes. These birds are found predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. They are known for their bright plumage, intelligence, and ability to mimic human speech... read more

People think they are just birds that repeat what we say. They are wrong!
Anacondas

Anacondas are a group of large snakes of the genus Eunectes. They are found in tropical South America and are known for their size and aquatic habitat. The green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) is the heaviest and one of the longest snakes in the world.... read more
Rats

Rats are various medium sized, long tailed rodents of the superfamily Muroidea. "True rats" are members of the genus Rattus, with the black rat (Rattus rattus) and the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) being the most significant to humans. These species are commonly found in urban areas and are known for... read more

Did you know there is no law against performing experiments on rats, no matter how painful? For example, I could cut off a bunch of rats' heads to see how long it takes them to die, and there would be no law against it.
Rats are just as cute as other rodents, like hamsters and guinea pigs, and they are much smarter. People say rats are dirty, but you would stink too if you lived in sewers. Why do rats live in sewers? Because they have nowhere else to go. Cities are too big for people to walk across - imagine how it is for rats!
Rats are one of the few animals, besides humans, known to laugh (for the right reasons). Also, the Bubonic Plague wasn't their fault. It was caused by fleas, which bit the rats, and then the rats bit the humans who were trying to exterminate them.
Meerkats

The meerkat, also known as the suricate, is a small carnivorous mammal in the mongoose family. It is the only species classified under the genus Suricata. Meerkats are native to southern Africa and are known for their upright posture and social behavior.
Opossums

Opossums are marsupials of the order Didelphimorphia and are native to the Americas. They are the only marsupials found north of Mexico, with the Virginia opossum being the most widespread species in the United States and Canada. Known for their ability to play dead as a defense mechanism, opossums also... read more

Some people think possums are ugly and mean. They are SO not ugly. They are really nice, don't chase or attack your pets, and they are not mean. I will say that again. When they are in trouble, they hiss, drool, try to look tough, and show their teeth. They are only protecting themselves. Don't be mean to them and say they are ugly.
African Harrier-Hawks
Giant Squid

The giant squid is a deep-ocean-dwelling species that belongs to the family Architeuthidae. These creatures are known for their immense size, which is a result of deep-sea gigantism.
Recent estimates suggest that females can grow up to 13 meters long, while males can reach up to 10 meters, measured... read more
Cats

The cat (Felis catus) is a domesticated small carnivorous mammal. It is the only domesticated species in the Felidae family and is commonly called the domestic cat to distinguish it from wild felines.
Cats can be house pets, farm cats, or feral. They are often valued for companionship and for... read more

There is no such thing as cats that are "bad luck." Sphinx cats may look odd, but I wouldn't say ugly. Contrary to popular belief, they are not actually hairless. It only looks that way because their hair is so light and short. The superstitious belief that black cats bring bad luck and Sphinx cats are ugly is pure nonsense!

They're often hated for looking "ugly" or having a "smooshed face," but like black cats, they can be as good and well-cared for as any other cat.

Cats.
No, they are not evil.
Yes, they are less loyal than dogs.
Does that mean that they hate their owners?
NO.