Spider-Man has arguably some of the most iconic foes in comic book history. From the Chameleon to Doctor Octopus, a seriously extensive list of Spider-Man villains has been growing rogues since his debut in 1962. While Peter has gone toe to toe with a variety of unique villains, there is one thing that many of his villains have in common with each other -- and Peter himself: they all derive their identity from animals (no wonder Kraven the Hunter has shown a desire to hunt them all as big, villainous game.

Spider-Man, more than any other comic book superhero, is forced to contend with villains either channeling or idolizing animals... but why? The answer comes from the 2001 storyline that would eventually lead to the multiverse-shattering comic event called Spider-Verse. In that tale, Peter met a man named Ezekiel who possessed similar powers to other variations of Spider-Man. A successful business man, Ezekiel explained to Peter that his powers were not bestowed upon him 'by accident' as he had assumed. The spider that bit Peter years ago had done so voluntarily, to pass its abilities onto him before it died. This passage of abilities made Peter into Spider-Man... but also turned him into a "totem."

Related: Gwen Stacy's New Origin is Making Her Spider-Man's Equal

A totem, it is eventually explained, is a bridge between man and beast, with properties of both. Peter wasn't the first, and he definitely isn't the last. It was eventually revealed that these similar powers and their passage from one carrier to the next go back to the beginning of time -- and Peter has fought many of them in his superhero career.

Spider-man attacked by rhino

Captain America wound up fighting against villains like Baron Zemo and the Red Skull, and until recently the X-Men have warred with Magneto. Thor the god of thunder has been forced to contend with his brother Loki, god of mischief for eons. One type will always attract another similar type: Patriots against those on 'the other side,' mutants versus mutants, Gods against Gods. The same rule applies to Spider-Man and his list of rogues, since Peter Parker has been attacked and annoyed by "totemistic pretenders," many of whom probably don't realize they are doing destiny's bidding in the process.

Vultures, Scorpions, Rhinos, Jackals, Bats, Cats, Octopi and everything in between, Spider-Man's villains have been guided by urges and events outside their control or even their understanding. Leading them to embrace an animal (a totem) to try and graft the power of that image onto their own souls and bodies, they are still only pretenders. It is Peter who is acting as a true totem. While his rogues are all pretenders, that doesn't stop them from being drawn to him. Pretenders hate the real thing, after all. They may not recognize the impulse, but it drives them to a hatred and need to destroy that which they cannot ever be.

Who knew the real reason for animal villains attacking Peter Parker wasn't a lack of originality, but the foundations of a massive piece of Spider-Man lore?

Next: Captain America Just Became Venom's Worst Enemy