Why are so many people so snake-intolerant?

Question

when im like on the street, taking my snake to my friend's house to show her, i put him on a box and i get so much attention and alot of people freak out! that is the reason i use the box! but obviously that doesnt work.

and it is a SIMPLE CORN SNAKE!

i feel like everyone thinks they are evil or somthing!

Answer 1

i believe because alot of snakes are known to be venomous and dangerous and people are afraid of them and dont give them a chance....everybody i know who was afraid of snakes came over and held mine actually enjoyed them...so i say its the reputation that the more dangerous snakes have effects all the snake...and there movement not having any legs or arms freak people out

Answer 2

i was wondering the same thing. i asked my mom if i could have a snake and she said no, they are evil. (???) we are not religious but, come on. i think people dont like snakes because they are so differnt from humans, no legs, scales, they eat bugs/mice.  but i have always loved snakes, but people get so worked up about the littlest stuff.

Answer 3

Some are afraid because of Biblical images of the snake representing Satan.  Some have been taught to fear all snakes due to the potential for encountering a poisonous variety.  Some people can't handle the lidless, unblinking stare, or the flickering forked tounge- that's another Satan thing, I think- or the independent movement of the body.  Look how many folks think snakes are "slimy."

I used to manage a pet store and I found that people who were afraid of snakes were also afraid of rats because the tail was "snakelike."

I personally have no problem whatsoever with snakes.  I respect and admire the job they do of controlling pests.  However when I hike in deserts in AZ, or the Water Gap in PA, I always wear long pants and sturdy boots as I would not like to encounter a rattler.

I am, however, afraid of large hairy insects and spiders.  They are hideous.  Most are harmless and I know this and still I cannot stop pissing myself should one crawl upon me.

So I guess I am a bit hypocritical.  I am human.

Answer 4

Fear and ignorance... it's a shame others can't find the beauty in all the creatures that nature offers us!

  In all honestly, I do have to admit, I  have only one dislike...  I can't bear to feed my dragons *roaches* even knowing they're a superior feeder insect.  They just give me the world's worst case of heebie-jeebies!!!    lol        ;]

Answer 5

Becouse snakes have for centuries been killers.

Back in the 18 -19 hundreds if you got bit buy a venomous snake, you would be almost serten to die.

Its programed into our minds to be scared/intolerant of things like snakes spiders ect...

but alot of people are just plain egnorent and think all snakes are venomous.