I've heard and read many times that humans have a natural fear of snakes. That was never the case for me. The first 7 or 8 years of my life I was taught that snakes were evil creatures to be avoided at all costs.

That all went out the window literally the second I saw a snake for the first time (An albino burm) I actually have a photo of this experience somewhere. Probably a week later I had my very first pet snake after lots and lots of begging of parents.

Spiders on the other hand, I have a completely unexplainable fear of. That seems very difficult to rid myself of. And the thing is, nobody ever tried to instill in my the fact that spiders were bad, I've just always feared them.

What is your experience with this "natural fear of snakes"? Do you believe it is natural or a learned condition?