Animal Phobias

People who are afraid of animals can run the gamut from mild to extreme phobias. Some are so afraid of birds that it makes day-to-day life a struggle, the fluttering of wings almost impossible to avoid in our world. City dwellers may be inexplicably terrified of snakes, spending countless hours obsessing over slithery encounters which would reasonably never even occur in their urban environment.

Psychologist Dr. Robin Zasio helps us explore some of the most common animal phobias, from chiroptophobia (fear of bats) to cynophobia (fear of dogs) and more. Which animal are you afraid of?

FEAR OF BATS
Called chiroptophobia, this abnormal fear can put some folks into a panic with the mere flap of a leathery wing.

FEAR OF BIRDS
Called ornithophobia, a fear of birds can be debilitating in a world full of feathered friends.

FEAR OF DOGS
Called cynophobia, this phobia can housebound even those who have stout hearts otherwise.

FEAR OF MICE OR RATS
Called musophobia, this extreme phobia can be paralyzing to those who find mice anything but cute.
FEAR OF SHARKS
Called galeophobia, suffers of this abnormal fear dread even the mere mention of the word "shark."

FEAR OF SNAKES
Called ophidiophobia, this phobia can afflict even those who have virtually zero chance of encountering a snake.

FEAR OF SPIDERS
Called arachnophobia, the extreme fear of spiders can make even living in one's own house a constant nightmare.