Spooky Facts or Fables?

Creatures

100

FACT OR FABLE

Vampire Bats feed mostly on Livestock

FACT

200

FACT OR FABLE

Owls Predict Bad omens

FABLE

Silent flyers that they are, they do not cause or bring bad omens, they are just eerie. 

300

FACT OR FABLE

Spiders are the best pest control

FACT

Autumn being peak season for mating and the peak season of bugs, they control our pests. 

400

FACT OR FABLE

Werewolves are based on medical conditions people have experienced

FACT

• Clinical Lycanthropy: There is a genuine, rare psychiatric condition known as clinical lycanthropy. It is a delusion where a patient firmly believes they are transforming into, or have transformed into, an animal. Affected individuals may growl, crawl on all fours, feel a psychological urge to eat raw meat, or believe their body is physically changing shape.
• Hypertrichosis (The "Werewolf Syndrome"): This is an extremely rare genetic mutation characterized by an abnormal amount of hair growth across the entire body, including the face. In historical times, individuals born with this condition were often cruelly exploited in traveling sideshows or viewed by superstitious villagers as living proof of the werewolf curse.
• Rabies and Ergot Poisoning: Medical historians believe that outbreaks of rabies—which causes hydrophobia, foaming at the mouth, aggressive behavior, and erratic, animalistic tendencies in humans—contributed heavily to werewolf lore. Additionally, ergot poisoning (a toxic fungus that grows on rye during damp autumns) caused mass hallucinations, muscle spasms, and delusions in entire European villages, leading people to believe they or their neighbors were changing into beasts.

500

FACT OR FABLE

Black Cats Symbolize Prosperity and good luck.

FACT

A saucer of milk was left out for Cat Sith who blessed homes during Samhain. 

Places

100

FACT OR FABLE

Salem Massachusetts is famous for its 1692 witch trials

Fact

The Salem Witch trials led to accusations, trials, and executions during a frightening period in colonial history.

200

FACT OR FABLE

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is tied to a real life place, Sleepy Hollow New York.

FACT

300

FACT OR FABLE

There are over six million people's bones in an underground rock quarry.

FACT

The Catacombs of Paris, France, because of overcrowding in the cemeteries. 

400

FACT OR FABLE

Apple bobbing was once a British Courting Ritual.

FACT

As in the first person to bite the apple would be next to be married.

500

FACT OR FABLE

It is incredibly rare to see a Full Moon on Halloween. 

FACT

It happens once every 19 years!

History

100

FACT OR FABLE

Halloween has roots in an Ancient Celtic Festival called Samhain

FACT

Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the winter

200

FACT OR FABLE

The first Jack-O-Lanterns were traditionally carved from pumpkins in ancient Ireland

Fable

Turnips and other root vegetables were carved before pumpkins became popular in America

300

FACT OR FABLE

Trick-or-Treating became especially popular in the United States after WWII

Fact

It grew rapidly in the postwar years as communities and suburds expanded

400

FACT OR FABLE

Halloween was originally invented by American Candy Companies to sell more chocolate

Fable

Halloween traditions existed centuries before modern candy marketing

500

FACT OR FABLE

During WWII, Halloween Candy traditions were affected by sugar rationing. 

Fact

Sugar rationing made candy harder to obtain, and trick-or-treating declined during the war

Harder Facts or Fables

100

FACT OR FABLE

During the Salem witch trials, men were also accused and executed.

FACT — Men were among those accused, and several were executed.

200

FACT OR FABLE

Bats are completely blind and cannot see anything.

FABLE — Bats can see; many also use echolocation.

300

FACT OR FABLE

Some Fungi can infect insects and manipulate their behavior.

FACT — Certain parasitic fungi can alter insect behavior

400

FACT OR FABLE

The fear of Halloween is known as Samhainophobia.

FACT — This is a recognized term used for fear of Halloween, though it is not a formal diagnosis in every clinical classification.

500

FACT OR FABLE

This famous magician, Harry Houdini, known for exposing fraudulent spiritualists, was born in 1874.

FACT

exposing fraudulent spiritualists

Easy Facts or Fables

100

FACTS OR FABLE

Bats are mammals

Fact

They have fur, give birth to live young, and feed their babies milk.

200

FACT OR FABLE

A black cat crossing your path is scientifically proven o bring you bad luck

Fable

That is a superstition, not a scientific fact

300

FACT OR FABLE

A Pumpkin is a fruit

Fact

Botanically, pumpkins are fruits because they develop from a flower and contain seeds

400

FACT OR FABLE

Candy corn was invented before the year 1900.

BONUS

What was is originally called

FACT

It dates to the late 1800s.

BONUS
Chicken Feed

500

FACT OR FABLE

All witches in medieval history worse tall pointed black hats

FABLE

The familiar witch costume developed through folklore, art, and popular culture. It was not a universal historical outfit.