These 10 animals that cause phobias These are the most famous, but in reality there are many more. According to experts, fears are acquired, they are not innate. Upbringing, habits and bad experiences create fears that sometimes become uncontrollable and turn into panic. Certain animals cause this type of fear, much more so than others. And its phobic nature depends greatly on the society in which it lives.
In general, animal phobias have a basis of respect, as all the ‘bugs’ that make up this list are dangerous in some way. Or because they attack when they feel threatened, because they have powerful toxins at their disposal nature It is given to them to defend themselves, to feed themselves or because they cause or transmit disease.
Animals that cause phobias: birds
Ornithophobia is the medical term for a phobia of birds. Alfred Hitchcock’s horror film “The Birds” did not help much for people who suffered from it and caused specific panic at the time. Pigeons are called “flying rats” and are controlled in many places because they litter their feces and spread disease.
And crows and other similar birds are considered a bad omen, in addition to being deadly to crops. Seagulls are hated by sailors and people living in coastal cities, but this is not necessarily a phobia.
Animals that cause phobias: sharks
While it is true that these enormous sharks pose a real problem for swimmers in certain parts of the world, they generally have a worse reputation than they deserve. Although those who fear it suffer from selakophobia.
The famous movie “Jaws” is the one that largely caused its worldwide horror. So if there’s one thing that truly causes a unanimous shudder, it’s the sight of a fin crossing the water of a public beach anywhere in the world. 10 animals that cause phobias.
Animals that cause phobias: bears
In reality, the bears did not pay much attention to humans until they systematically devoured their habitats. And of course he came face to face with this huge ursid, who, seeing that he was being harassed, finally attacked us. The fear of bears is one of the branches of agrizoophobia, the fear of wild animals.
Animals that cause phobias: crocodiles
It’s really fun to see them rescue them and take them to shelters, especially since we usually see it on television. But with few exceptions, most people avoid coming within range of these enormous reptiles that can strike with their tails, easily breaking our bones.
There are places in the world where people fear them more than other animals. In certain places these enormous reptiles roam the streets, gardens and even enter houses. So they pose a real danger, especially to children and pets. and although the fear of crocodiles has no specific name, the phobia of reptiles is generally called herpetophobia. 10 animals that cause phobias.
Animals that cause phobias: bats
This winged mammal has a bad reputation due to its nocturnal nature and anecdotal links to vampires. That’s why people fear them, even though the vast majority are actually fructivores or insectivores. And the latter are very useful, because they eat mosquitoes that carry them zoonosis.
They also feed on another wide variety of insects, many of which are real pests of plantations. In addition, their droppings are an excellent natural fertilizer. But their bad reputation haunts them and people who feel horror at their presence suffer from chiroptophobia.
Animals that cause phobias: rats and mice
These rodents can be found in almost every corner of the world, with the exception of the polar regions (Antarctica and the Arctic zone). There, the virtually non-existent human population makes it impossible for a colony of rats to survive, as they feed mainly on our waste.
They can transmit pathogens, spread disease and contaminate food. They are among the most feared animals in general and those who are especially afraid of them suffer from musophobia.
Animals that cause phobias: vipers
Ophidians, including vipers and snakes, are the most feared reptiles. And that’s because there is a real reason behind this panic (called ophidiophobia). as the bite of some of them can be fatal. In fact, the most venomous sea creature in the world is a type of water snake. Different legends, their lonely nature, their way of moving and their stealth do not exactly contribute to losing the fear of it, on the contrary. 10 animals that cause phobias.
Animals that cause phobias: cockroaches
Of all the insects that can cause fear (called entomophobia or insectophobia), the cockroach is perhaps the most hated, although in reality it is quite harmless, as it does not sting or bite.
The problem is that it can be a pathogen due to its eating habits. On the other hand, it is one of the most adaptable animals, which is why it is able to terrify people all over the world.
Animals that cause phobias: spiders
The larger they are, the more fear they cause, although the fear should be the other way around, because the smaller they are, the worse their venom can be. Tarantulas and large spiders generally have a venom that can cause significant inflammation and stinging hairs that they use as defense. On the other hand, a small flax spider can kill a person in a few minutes. The fear of arachnids in general is called arachnophobia.
Animals that cause phobias: scorpions
These arachnids, close relatives of spiders, cause real panic among the people who have to live with them. The bite is extremely painful to say the least and can be fatal. To make matters worse, they hide in quite unusual places, so in deserts it is normal for people to check their shoes before putting them on, so as not to be faced with an unpleasant and even fatal surprise. 10 animals that cause phobias.