Uncovering wild animal phobias

Phobic fears of common animals aren't that uncommon at all. The sudden presence of snakes, spiders, bees, mice and bats can cause some to become airborne or have them running into the next county. Movie-makers have long capitalized on these anxieties to pump a little adrenaline into the box-office — especially during the Halloween season. While most of us can sit through those scenes with a snicker, eye-roll and a shake of the head, a few can suffer a genuine panic attack listening to you just talking about the movie. Is there an answer as to why some are so frightened by everyday animals? It's important to understand what a phobia is, and is not. Not "liking" a particular animal doesn't mean that you're instantly suffering from a phobia. Fear is not a phobia. It's a natural reaction that protects people from harm when they need to deal with a situation. In the case of some animals, the less a person knows about the creature the more they may be hesitant or fearful. For example, if you don't know the difference between copperhead and hog-nosed snakes, you fear both. Is that irrational? Absolutely not, fear is a protective coating on our life that keeps us safe. Not knowing is a rational reaction for avoiding both snakes. Whether a rational or a phobic fear, we generally react in one of three ways; fight, flight and freeze. "Fight" is facing the threat. In the case of an animal, removal or scaring it off are typical reactions. "Flight" is what you do to place distance between you and the risk. Both responses are normal solutions for many fears. "Freezing" can be another story. If the danger were to be real, things can turn bad quickly if you don't respond. Freezing is most likely to occur when someone suffers a phobic reaction or to anyone facing a sudden, serious situation. Writing for Harvard Medical School, Dr. Howard E. LeWine explains, "A phobia is a persistent, excessive, unrealistic fear of an object, person, animal, activity or situation. It is a type of anxiety disorder. A person with a phobia either tries to avoid the thing that triggers the fear, or endures it with great anxiety and distress." We've all known people that have certain fears that seem far over-the-top for the situation. A rubber spider in an office drawer is likely to be a harmless prank to most, but to someone suffering a phobia concerning insects and spiders, it isn't funny at all. That humorous hoax has become cruel beyond our imagination. Most perpetrators would be embarrassed to know the fear they had caused. Education and understanding are good ways toward overcoming some of the more common fears of wild animals. Some of these include: Ophidiophobia is the fear of snakes. Researchers say that nearly 56% of adults are afraid of serpents. Maybe part of it is the story of Adam and Eve, a snake's unexpected appearance, or the belief that every one of them carries death in a set of fangs. Some suffer from the fear so badly that they can't watch a National Geographic special or even open a book showing photos. A rubber snake prank can cause them to go on a spirited hunt for retribution. Arachnophobia, the fear of spiders, has a lot of people running for help to remove a wolf spider found creeping across the kitchen floor. Apparently, this is the oldest and the most common fear in western society and has about 3.5% of that population shuddering. There are "experts" that have said that it's not so much a fear of being bitten, but rather the shaggy appearance and erratic movements of spiders that causes the anxiety. Please allow me to ask this question. Which of those folks afraid of spiders did a close-up examination and made the decision it was their grooming that pushed them to the edge? Spheksophobia is the fear of wasps and bees. This one, I get. I don't like being stung, though I appreciate the honey. As a bonus to the pain of the sting, some people also suffer allergic reactions which can be life-threatening. While I believe I'm in the majority of not enjoying the stinging rebuke of a hornet, like most, I also don't panic if one gets into the house. A shot of bug killer or a fly swatter usually takes care of the initial contact. Then follows the inspection for the entry which usually solves a repeat occurrence. Unfortunately, there are those so frightened that they will leave their home until it's been thoroughly inspected and fumigated. Others will even refuse to read a book or watch a movie featuring the little stingers. Chiroptophobia is the fear of bats. People suffering from severe cases of this malady can have a panic attack when thinking about the existence of any winged creature in the scientific order Chiroptera. They may fear going outdoors after dark, walking in the woods or entering a barn. When campfire tales turn to bats getting "tangled in hair" or vampires searching for a victim, you won't find these folks standing around waiting to hear the end of the stories. In fact, you might not even coax them to the campfire. Musophobia is the fear of mice and rats. We have all seen the caricature of a person jumping onto a chair to escape a mouse. I've never seen that happen personally, but there is logic to not liking the rodents if they take up residence in your residence. The Egyptians found out that cats were quite competent at controlling the vermin and thus, began one historical solution – except for those suffering from ailurophobia. Why do we have these fears? One scientific theory indicates that humans and other primates are predisposed to acquire fears that once threatened our ancestors. I'm no scientist, but I can't totally swallow the idea that genetics is the key. Common sense says don't pet the raccoon yet every year somebody ends up in the emergency room. Then again, maybe some folk's ancestors weren't as smart as others. Another theory suggests that the fears come from negative experiences. For example, someone saw their brother mauled by a raccoon they tried to pet. They tell all their friends, children, and later, their grandchildren. Results — fewer human chew-toys. Another example — there's a story that great-great-grandad got bit by a snake and died. I don't know anything about snakes so all snakes are bad. This all starts to make sense. Another suggestion is that we learn from behavior. As a child, you may not know why mom is so afraid of snakes and raccoons. "I don't know much about snakes and raccoons so I'll stay away from both because mom is pretty smart … and I wonder what happened to my uncle's hands?" How we process fear is another factor. Some folks are just more anxious than others, possibly making them predisposed to developing fears and phobias. The more we know about animals, the less we fear them. Take the time to explore the library or search the internet. A great place to start is www.wildohio.gov. You can download free field guides covering many of Ohio's native critters … even the scary ones. "When you fear something, learn as much about it as you can. Knowledge conquers fear." – Edmund Burke Along the way The Division of Wildlife will release ring-necked pheasants at public hunting areas in late October and November. Releases will begin Saturday, Oct. 22 during Ohio's youth small game hunting season. Pheasant release dates are: ·&emsp;&emsp;Oct. 22 (first youth weekend) ·&emsp;&emsp;Oct. 29 (second youth weekend) ·&emsp;&emsp;Nov. 4 (opening day), Nov. 11 ·&emsp;&emsp;Nov. 24 (Thanksgiving Day). In northwest Ohio, release areas will be: ·&emsp;&emsp;Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area ·&emsp;&emsp; Oxbow Lake Wildlife Area ·&emsp;&emsp;Resthaven Wildlife Area ·&emsp;&emsp;Ringneck Ridge Wildlife Area (by permit only, find additional information from the Sandusky County Park District) ·&emsp;&emsp;Tiffin River Wildlife Area ·&emsp;&emsp;Wyandot Wildlife Area (no youth releases). Step outside •Those interested in finding the most eye-catching leaves throughout the season should check out ODNR's fall color website, the official guide to the changing colors. Visit https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/see-the-sights/fall-color •Thursday-Friday: Trap and Skeet, open to the public. 4 p.m. UCOA, 6943 Marion Township 243, Findlay. •2022 Deer Seasons: Youth Gun: Nov. 19-Nov. 20; Gun: Nov. 28-Dec. 4; Dec. 17-Dec. 18; Muzzleloader: Jan. 7-Jan. 10. •Nov. 5: Ladies Only Pheasant Hunt, sponsored by Hancock County Pheasants Forever. For information and to register, contact Mark Plesec at mark_plesec@goodyear.com •Nov. 6: Trap Shoot, 1 p.m. Mount Blanchard Gun Club, 21655 Delaware Township 186. •Nov. 13: Turkey Shoot, 12 noon. 10 Bird Shoots, Still Shoots, Protections and Annie Oakley's. Public welcome. Mt. Blanchard Gun Club, 21655 Township Road 186. For questions, contact Bob Yoder: Call 419-273-5057. Dec. 10: Seneca County Pheasants Forever Brian Wilkerson Memorial Rabbit Hunt. For information, text or call Dave at 419-680-6942 prior to Nov. 19. Space is very limited. •Hunter and Trapper Education Class information and registration is found online at www.wildohio.gov or call 1-800-WILDLIFE. Locally, contact 419-424-5000. Abrams is a retired wildlife officer supervisor for the state Division of Wildlife in Findlay. He can be reached at P.O. Box 413, Mount Blanchard, OH 45867-0413 or via email at jimsfieldnotes@aol.com