Ophidiophobia or Ophiophobia refers to the fear of snakes. Fear of snakes is sometimes called by a more general term, herpetophobia, fear of reptiles. It is one of the most common phobias, especially under the broader Zoophobia (animal phobias). Care must also be taken to differentiate people who do not like snakes or fear them for their venom or the inherent danger involved. A typical ophidiophobic would not only fear them when in live contact but also dreads to think about them or even see them on TV or in pictures. Ophidiophobia is one of the most well known characteristics of fictional adventurer Indiana Jones.

The word comes from the Greek words "ophis" (ὄφις) which refers to snakes and "phobia" (φοβία) meaning fear.

See also

• Arachnophobia

External links

• Ophidiophobia and Ophidiophobes, by Melissa Kaplan

References