Why do many people find reptiles/amphibians repulsive? nt

[raccoon]

[blogslut]

1. I think it's primal.

Same with cats. The descendants of these animals preyed on our descendants.

[Arugula Latte]

11. I think you're right about the primal thing, but reptiles are much more universally feared than

cats. And millions (myself included) love kitties more than anything.

On the other hand, I have developed a bit of adult-onset fear of dogs. Sometimes I pass one and imagine it going for my jugular. I wonder if it's a primal thing because of wolves? More likely it's the curse of getting older and recalling all the bad incidents you've either experienced, witnessed, or read. They pile up in your brain and make you afraid. The same thing happened to me with horses. I used to be a dedicated rider, and now I'm a bit too afraid to pursue it anymore.

I've always had a primal fear of spiders, too.

[blogslut]

13. I think I read it somewhere

...about cats and snakes and probably dogs too. Their bigger wild relatives are still apex predators. Not only did our ancestors have to fight them for food, they had to make sure they didn't become food.

But yeah, I think life experience plays into it. I don't love snakes but, in controlled circumstances, I'm okay with them. However, the sound of a rattler off in the distance sets my teeth on edge and I won't go near a python without bulletproof glass between us. I had to learn to stop running from stray dogs from my early days when people let their pups run around unleashed - if you run, they run after you. I still experience a micro-freakout when I see a strange big dog. As for cats, I own the meanest cat in the world. One day she's going to kill me and then feast upon my corpse. I'm only sort of exaggerating.

[Juicy_Bellows]

2. Raccoons commonly eat reptiles and amphibians. Nt.

[patricia92243]

3. That is a really interesting question. I recently moved to a house that had been empty for sometime

I found a tiny frog in the sink. I jumped and hollered like it was a rat. I took a pot and caught it and put it outside. I had never thought how silly my reaction was until I read you post.

I only recently actually touched a snake and didn't realize they aren't slimy - like a worm.

[demmiblue]

4. This post is useless without...

[Arugula Latte]

12. Love that song.

And that band.

[hlthe2b]

5. I find them fascinating... even snakes (as long as I see them first)

[clarice]

6. Depends how you cook 'em.nt

[ailsagirl]

7. I was a tomboy as a child...

so I never was bothered by reptiles. I loved toads (some of them as large as my hand!) and lizards
(so long as they weren't poisonous). Snakes are fine but I'm not crazy about them. I can appreciate
their beauty but only from a distance!!

Back to the original question, I do concur with what blogslut said-- I think it's primal.

[rug]

8. No lips.

[NV Whino]

9. Best answer!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. I don't know; I think they're cute.

Especially turtles. I love turtles.

[TreasonousBastard]

14. More to the point might be why many people find them attractive.

[R. P. McMurphy]

15. I don't know about the amphibians . . .

but the reptiles invariably become Republican officeholders.

[eppur_se_muova]

16. OK, you win the thread. nt

[Xipe Totec]

17. They look too much like Republicans? nt

[qwlauren35]

18. I think it's the lack of hair.

There's something about mammals that makes me very happy, and it's extended to birds. I even like sea mammals. Reptile skin is hairless, and "different textured", and that seems to put me off.

[Art_from_Ark]

19. I don't mind small harmless reptiles like box turtles and garden lizards

But let's face it, some reptiles are downright dangerous. Komodo dragons, Gila monsters, rattlesnakes, copperheads, water moccasins, coral snakes, bushmasters, fer-de-lances, asps, boa constrictors, pythons, alligators, crocodiles, caimans, snapping turtles, all can present a significant danger to humans. And most snakes' heads are just plain grotesque.