Sacred animals

Traditionally we view animals that are "sacred to a culture" as those who are important to a religion, especially an extinct religion. But while I value this viewpoint as a way of thinking, I think maybe we should encourage a new one. Many animals are important to a culture, but while we know they are, we don't see them as sacred to it. We don't really see them as that important, either. It's interesting to me how an ancient culture can have many pieces of art and stories that contain a certain animal, to which it will be then called "sacred", but we don't apply the same to ourselves. If we commonly portray an animal in our own stories, than surely an animal is sacred to our culture, even if we don't use it religiously?
== Western media ==
Many animals are commonly found in Western media, but as with most cultures, many animals are excluded. Common animals such as Northern Mockingbirds are rarely portrayed; while a handful of other birds are often portrayed, such as robins, crows, and ducks. Some people might think it's about bright colors or a particular distinction, but this isn't true, as many bright colored and/or otherwise interesting birds are excluded. The same can be said for other types of animals-- reptiles, mammals, insects, amphibians, fish, etc. Many of the animals portrayed in Western media are not even local to North America or Britain or Australia nor other Anglo-based areas. African based animals are extremely popular, and a couple Australian animals get some spotlight, but most South American and Asian mammals are ignored, as are many European animals. I think it's important that we explore why this is and what it means for us. But to do so, to bring awareness to it here or in a book, could mean the changing of how we perceive those animals and this issue. Which is part of the point, but the beauty of how we already see it is valuable to me, too. Many of these animals are taught to children early on. It's important for children to learn what these animals are, even if they're mere curiosities and have nothing to do with their real lives. Often they're taught these in school or in children's nature documentaries and nature books. Animals often portrayed in nature fact books but rarely remembered have been excluded from the list below.
==== List of animals often portrayed in Western stories & knowledge ====
* Alligators & Crocodiles
*Antelopes
* Badgers
* Bats
* Bears
*Bulls
* Cats
*Chickens & Roosters
*Crabs & Lobsters
*Cranes, Herons, & Egrets
*Cows
*Coyotes
* Crows & Ravens
* Deer
* Dogs
* Dolphins
* Donkeys
* Doves
* Ducks
*Eagles, Hawks & Falcons
*Egrets 
* Fish
* Foxes
* Frogs & Toads
* Geese
* Giraffes
*Goldfish
* Hedgehogs
*Herons
* Hippopotamuses
* Horses
*Hyenas
*Iguanas
*Leopards & Panthers
* Lions
*Lizards
*Mice & Rats
*Monkeys
*Newts & Salamanders
* Octopi
*Parrots
*Pigs
* Pigeons
* Rabbits & Hares
*Raccoons
* Rhinos
* Robins
* Seahorses
*Sharks
*Sheep & Rams
*Spiders
*Snakes
*Stingrays
*Storks
* Swans
*Swordfish
*Tigers
*Vultures
* Weasels
* Whales
*Wildebeests
* Wolves
* Zebras