Why I'm Scared of Spiders

The science of-- OH GOD IS THAT A SPIDER?!

I'm scared of spiders. I'm not afraid to admit it. I love them in a scientific sense, or from a "let me look at you from way over here" sense, but that's as close as I get.

Here's a look at the science of why some of us are afraid of spiders, snakes, roaches, and other creepy crawlies. Did I evolve to be this way, or did I learn to be afraid of them? It seems to be an open question…

Produced for PBS Digital Studios

Joe Hanson - Host and writer
Joe Nicolosi - Director
Amanda Fox - Producer, Spotzen IncKate Eads - Associate Producer
Katie Graham - Director of Photography
Stephen Bohls - Editing/Motion Graphics
John Knudsen - Gaffer

Theme music: "Ouroboros" by Kevin MacLeod

Thumbnail photo: specnaz/Shutterstock

Stock images via Shutterstock

Music: "Two Boys and a Girl" - Podington Bear

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[zukodude]

Lets all take a moment of silence and be thankful that spiders can't fly.

[ant]

**is dark**
Spider: Hello hu-
Me: take the house I don’t want it just don’t hurt me

[phdmhgv]

I can’t even watch this video without getting scared

[smiley-skeleton]

"Arachnope" is officially my new favorite word. 😂

[ArnoProduction]

"non threatening animals, like bunnies". He has never seen Monthy Python, I think we'll need the holy hand grenade of antioch

[siddharthnair]

*before watching this video*
*gets on bed* *checks everywhere to make sure there are no spiders*
*clicks play*

[majinvegetak]

We’ve searched “why am I afraid of spiders” and you thought it was a good idea to have a constant montage of them in the background 😂😂😂

[antolak]

Bug phobias are incredibly common because human's biggest weakness are insects. We have virtually no defense against them besides bug spray. We have no hide or fur to stop them from biting/stinging us like countless other animals do

[PtaszekZPtasiegoMleczka]

I never understood the fear of mice. They are fluffy and adorable!
Baby mice are kind of weird though.

[NeoNik]

After reading all the comments I realized that my small fear of spiders is nowhere near people who can't even watch this video.

[nidhishsharma]

why the hell did i watch this in the middle of the night

[erikasrah]

“Non-threatening animals, like bunnies.” That sounds like something a bunny would say

[CaptTerrific]

I'm very impressed how you kept you cool in the end, with that spider on you!

I have an intense irrational fear of bees and wasps, and run around like a little girl (complete with screaming, and arms flailing) whenever one is within visual range, much to my wife's dismay and embarrassment

[shadowcat]

Talks about fear of spiders.. shows videos of spiders in the background

Me: caN YOU NOT?!

[_souldier]

me: sees a bear, Aww Big and Fluffy so Cute! Hugs it

also me: Sees a Wolf. Woah So Cool and Brave Majestic Animal! i want it as a Pet

and Also Me: Sees a Snake AWW Cute Noodle i just wanna Wrap you Around Me! :3

me...: Sees Spider
*screams and jumps out of a window*

[tonighthq]

0:30 when my exam is coming and I need to

[Des]

Most people are actually more afraid of having the spider crawl on them, than actually being bitten.

And that tarantula was giving your head a mild threat display @2:52 after being prodded by the stick. Looks to be a mature male as well, so he might have been getting ready to make tarantula love to his face instead?

[Whoaman]

"Some of those things have wings man that's not even fair"

LOL this had me dying

[caseyhamm]

3:05 “do we need to do another take?”
joe: i think that one was definitely good

[pizzachi]

0:31 me when spider is in the bathroom and I locked the door