My daughter in-law is very scared of snakes. She's okay when they don't move, so long as she is not holding them. If they move, she very quickly backs away. She is good in that she is careful to not pass this fear onto her son~ especially since he comes over all the time to hold grandma's "sneeks"! Anyway, I am starting to work on desensitizing her to them, step by step. She's a very brave girl and I am very proud of her~ it is hard to face one's fears and conquer them.