Ocean Lovers

Why Do We Fear Snakes?

Snakes have been around for millions of years. But why do humans fear them?

Here Comes the Science

Snakes are scary for a reason, but is our fear disproportionate?

What Else do We Fear?

Which other things topped the YouGov survey of Americans' most common fears?

1. 

   Loud Noises

   
2. 

   Confined Spaces

   
3. 

   Flying

   
4. 

   Cats

   

1. 

   Loud Noises

   

   No!

   Nope! People didn't list loud noises as a key fear, but sounds above 140 decibels can damage our hearing
2. 

   Confined Spaces

   

   Yes!

   Yes! Confined spaces was the fifth-most feared thing in the survey, with over 15% listing it as something they were VERY afraid of.
3. 

   Flying

   

   Yes!

   Likelihood of dying in a plane is much less than that of a bus, train, and even a ferry. Yet we rank it highly in our fear factors.
4. 

   Cats

   

   No!

   The official mascot of the internet can do no wrong in the eyes of the US public, but dogs and mice were listed. Those polled were no scaredy-cats.

Snakes at Vancouver Aquarium

Vancouver Aquarium is working to protect and conserve many species of snake

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  Home to Snakes

  

Discover our Snakes at Vancouver Aquarium

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