Reasons why people are afraid of snakes

[Hardwikk]

I want to hear every possible reason that you can think of why someone would be afraid of snakes so we can disprove every single one. Those of you who frequently bring your snakes to events might have some expierence with such people so you could provide me and the others some reasons. IMO the only thing that could possibly be gross about snakes is what they eat (not that I'm grossed out; Their food isn't nearly as gross as carrion!). This will be a great opportunity to help prevent the fear of snakes!

[Aric]

IMO, I think the main reason people are afraid of snakes is because of the media. Just a few days ago they had a story on the news about gravid anacondas that were getting ultrasounds. They later said anacondas grow larger then 35 feet and have been known to swallow several people at a time whole.

[TheresaBearden]

I personally believe people are afraid of snakes because they know nothing about them. I think if people were better educated about reptiles in general they would not have these fears and anxieties. I always encourage people who see our snakes to ask questions and try to inform them.

[rabernet]

Those of you who frequently bring your snakes to events might have some expierence with such people so you could provide me and the others some reasons.

What sort of events do you frequently take your snakes to?

[Jonny2184]

Because they are SLIMY! and they can CRUSH a human! and they are all venomous.
My mom used to tell me that snakes are the devil, because the devil was a snake in the bible.

[juddb]

Quote my roomates girlfriend " They bite and they are all slithery"

[Christina]

i'd have to say the slimy factor too. but it's mostly a lack of knowledge and misrepresentation on the media's part. i'm taking my girl to my mom's
2nd grade class for a little question and answer session today. hopefully these kids will see that snakes aren't scary and that they can be rather cool.

[ctrlfreq]

I want to hear every possible reason...so we can disprove every single one.

Consider that some 85% of the population of the US grows up reading things like this... Good luck "disproving" Genesis 3:13-15

13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?"
The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

14 So the LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this,
"Cursed are you above all the livestock
and all the wild animals!
You will crawl on your belly
and you will eat dust
all the days of your life.

15 And I will put enmity
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring [a] and hers;
he will crush [b] your head,
and you will strike his heel."

[chz]

My mom used to tell me that snakes are the devil, because the devil was a snake in the bible.

Lol, is your last name Bouche?

I think people are afraid of snakes for the same reason they're afraid to die, afraid of spiders, afraid of eating cow testicles, etc. People are afraid of the unknown/weird.

[moespeaking]

It seems to be a natural fear encoded into us. same as spiders and other unknowns. not to say everybody but most people. It seems most people have a fear of snakes until they hold one and get over it.