re: Why are people so afraid of snakes?

Why aren't you is the better question. Are you a devil boy?

Its something you are born with. I will not go anywhere near a snake, even if I know they are harmless, unless I get to kill it.

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This ^^^. Most of the fear is based on lack of knowledge, or misinformation. I've caught snakes since around age 5 or 6. Just about every non-winter day, the minute we got off the school bus we were headed to the woods or the canal. Made a dew bucks selling them as a kid, kept many as pets, etc. And in all that time, I've never seen a snake intentionally come towards me rather than try to get away. All I can is laugh at some of the stories I hear from people. My Green Tree Python, Jungle Jaguar Carpet Python, and Zebra Jungle Carpet Python are just stunningly beautiful works of nature. They are graceful in their movement and a joy to observe. And catching venomous snakes is a hell of an adrenaline rush - it's amazing how much they can contort their mouths trying to slip a fang on you while in your grasp. Fascinating creatures that really get a bum rap due to ignorance and irrational fear. However, I do have an understanding of irrational fear since I'll grab a snake but won't get within 10 feet of a roach - those bastards are the true spawn of Satan.

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I did the exact same thing as a kid. I used to bet people I could find a snake in their yard in under 20 minutes. 9 times out of ten I would find one by just parting the grass that borders the slab of their house.

I've held cobras without holding their head, sea snakes without holding their head, green mambas ( but holding their head) , swam with great white sharks and other adrenalin junky type stuff. I don't recommend doing such things, but observing 99.99999 percent of all snakes on this planet result in zero danger. Also, non venomous snakes that bite you from molesting them, feel exactly like someone just lightly touching you. Non venomous snakes draw blood, but a Louisiana green anole (chameleon) usually bites harder.

I'm afraid of heights, but not critters.

Most diseases aren't transferred from reptiles to mammals.

My Aussie shepherds just ignore snakes like they aren't even there.

Umm....that guy was coiled ready to strike. Rattlesnake bites are nothing to play around with here, especially when you are miles out on a trail hiking. He looked pissed off. I didn't take that pic btw. That was my cousin in front of me who had to stop to take the pic while I'm freaking out waiting to get past that guy without my dogs seeing him.

That thing looked evil as hell and I was lucky to leave with my life that day. That's my story and I'm sticking to it

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I can kill these with one quick stomp. That's my reasoning.

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While I have very little fear of snakes, that being only of poisonous ones I find your "reasoning" very ignorant. If you get close enough to "stomp" on one you are well within their striking distance. I catch them but never get that close until I have the head pined and controlled. Remember this, ALL snakes have bacteria in their little mouths. Should one of them break your skin you will have one hellova wound too heal.

Remember, if you see a snake, he's probably more afraid of you than you are of him.

And he should be because at that point his death is imminent.

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My Aussie shepherds just ignore snakes like they aren't even there.

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Mine hates copperheads - even finds them in their lairs during cool weather.