The names of certain snakes are enough to strike fear into the heart of any ophidiophobian. It’s extremely common to have a phobia of a reptile that could kill a full-grown human with a single bite.

Yet, most snakes are non-aggressive and play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling pests.

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about biodiversity and the hidden quirks of the natural world. There have been multiple documented incidents where large ...