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    Beware: It's March 15th, so you better watch your back. Today's a date heaped with superstitions thanks to Julius Cesar. Way back in 44 BC, the emperor refused to stay home on the Ides of March and, as a result, met an untimely death. But foreboding omens are not only reserved for ancient poobahs; plenty of animals have superstitious beliefs tied to their tails. Check out which critters are bad or good, then plan your day accordingly. 

    BLACK CAT WITH AN UNFAIR RAP

    We all know that a black cat crossing your path is supposed to be a sign of bad luck, but it turns out these kitties aren't all unlucky. Some Scottish folk think that finding a black cat on your porch is a sign of prosperity to come, while old fishermen's wives kept the felines as protection when their hubbies went out to sea. 

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    THE OTHER BLACK CAT

    Some of us may be rubbing rabbit's feet for good luck, but other people are trying to stay as far away from bunnies as possible. Similar to black cats, some cultures believe that rabbits are actually witches in disguise and that crossing paths with them can bring no good whatsoever.  

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    THE DANCE OF THE DOLPHIN

    Sea folk are a superstitious bunch, so of course the dolphin is some kind of sign. Sailors take the sight of this porpoise swimming beside their boat to be the promise of good weather the following day. We say why worry about tomorrow when you can swim with the dolphins today? 

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    JOY RIDE

    The Ancient Brits must've been putting something funky in their tea, because they thought that letting your child ride on the back of a bear prevented whooping cough. That has to be one of the most dangerous vaccinations out there. 

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    BAD NEWS BLACKBIRD

    Break out the blindfolds, because crazy things are supposed to happen when you stare this winged creature in the eye. Greek culture believes that making eye contact with a blackbird can bring upon an early death. Squawk! 

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    YOU SHALL NOT PASS

    In the Navajo culture, the coyote is one of the most powerful symbolic animals. If a coyote comes across your path while you are on a journey, it is highly advised that you turn around and head home. (And remember: if a roadrunner sprints across your path, chances are a coyote isn't far behind!)

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    POWER IN THE PAW

    Certain cultures believe lions have a lot of say about the ways of the world. Lion claws are rumored to hold quite a bit of strength. This myth brought about the popularity of using a lion paw design for the feet of furniture. Tres feline chic!

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    FREAKY-DEAKY PIG'S FEET

    Another superstition from the sailors: Men at sea viewed the pig as a friend of the devil, due to the animal's hoofed feet. As a way to avoid the bad guy's wrath, some sailors never utter the word "pig" while on their ship. 

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    THE EYES OF AN OWL

    Plenty of myths surround this nocturnal bird, but one of the strangest suggests the owl is one of the only animals that can see ghosts. The superstition says if you find an owl resting his wings in an abandoned building then you should stay away because the place is haunted. Hey, owls are wise creatures, maybe the spirits prefer good company and just like to roost with them. 

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    THE TURTLE: MAN'S BEST FRIEND

    Your father should be all about buying a turtle. One half-shell myth states that owning this reptile lengthens the life of the house patriarch. Whoa, daddy!

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    THAT'S BATTY

    Talk about a conundrum. Some Greeks carry bat bones with them, because they think it brings good luck. But at the same time, killing a bat is considered one of the unluckiest things you can do. So, you're damned if you don't AND you're damned if you do? Maybe it is time to just leave bats alone, altogether.

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    LADYBUG LOVE TESTER

    Who needs online dating when you've got ladybugs? Some Asian cultures believe that if the insect lands on your clothing, you are sure to find true love. But this bug is not about instant gratification. The number of spots on the bug suggests how long you will have to wait for that soul mate. 

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    AYE-AYE AY 

    Some bad luck animal superstitions are even worse news for the critter. The unusual-looking Aye-Aye of Madagascar is said to bring death wherever it appears. Some locals put so much stock in the superstition that they kill the creature on sight. This sad trend is dramatically damaging the Aye-Aye's population and putting it at the brink of extinction. How tragic!

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    DON'T SMUSH ME!

    While spiders are usually unwanted guests, superstition says that you should shouldn't kill any arachnid you find in your house. Those eight legs allegedly carry good luck, so squashing them is a bad move. 

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    VENGEFUL VIPERS

    Back in the day, select tribes in South Africa abided by the ritual of cutting the head off a murdered snake and burying it separate from the body. They did this to prevent other snakes from sensing the loss and coming after them to seek revenge. Hiss!