I’m going to tell you a secret. I consider myself a pretty tough cookie (that’s not the secret). I don’t mind getting my hands dirty (also not the secret). I don’t worry too much about stuff (still not the secret). I’m generally a pretty rational person (hard to believe, but also not the secret).

I am, however, ophidiophobic (that’s the secret).

You might wonder what that means. Well, I’m going to tell you.

Ophidiophobia is the fear of snakes.

Yep. I am scared of snakes. And the wikipedia definition of ophidiophobia makes clear that it’s not the fear of getting bitten by snakes or somehow being hurt by snakes (that’s just self-preservation), it’s actually the fear of just seeing them – even if it’s just a picture and not in real life.

And so I decided that this month I was going to face my fear head-on. And so I’m learning about snakes in the hopes that I will be less scared of them.

After looking at lots of terrifying videos, I think I’ve come to realize that what I don’t like about snakes is how they move. That slithering back and forth is just plain unnatural. I feel like I’m looking at a creature from another planet when I look at snakes, and that, my friends, is just plain unsettling.

Also how they eat. So gross.

But according to wikipedia, about a third of all adults are also afraid of snakes – it is the most common reported phobia. Plus, Indiana Jones is afraid of snakes too.

So I’m in good company.

So if you have any tips on how to help me conquer my fear of snakes, or if YOU have any irrational fears, let us know about them by email or in the comments here or on the Bobbledy Books facebook page. Can’t wait to hear all about it!