Fear of Spiders and Snakes

I used to fear the spider until my aunt had me touch it through force. Although I did not appreciate the gesture and still dislike the creepiness of this arthropod, I can appreciate its elimination of some of the small flies that get in through the window screen during the spring and summer. So I am more apt to let a few build their safe haven in an isolated corner of the house where a web can snare their flying prey. In a small way, they are nature’s answer to noxious insect repellents.

The same can be said for some snakes like the gopher which mimics the behavior of the rattlesnake and yet is non venomous. These are quite useful in eliminating unwanted rodents that destroy crops and carry diseases and so is an important part of the food chain. It can be distinguished from its poisonous cousin by the brown square markings it has on its back and the fact that it has no rattle on its tail. It may shake its tail like its cousin and also curl up in defense mode but on closer examination one can see that it had no true rattle as its tail is pointed and its head is not as triangular when it is at rest.

Getting over fear of wild creatures, which are repulsive or wrongly associated with danger, I think is essential in understanding how we can co-exist with them. We would avoid killing them every time we see them crawl or slither away, after all they are doing their part in keep other pests in check and provide food for other animals further up the food chain.