On Instilling Fear of all Wild Animals into Young Children (and why you shouldn't do it).

Since most children cannot distinguish an aggressive, diseased, or animal that is feeling threatened from on one that is friendly and just wants to play; the inculcation of moderate fear is probably justified as a safety measure. But to instil such a horror and revulsion at the sight of wild animals that, when they become adults, people cannot bear to look at a an animal, even if it is in a cage, is a mistake. This insensate fear is so wide-spread--it is incorrectly believed to be instinctive--that senseless, and ruthless, killing of harmless; or, often, agriculturally beneficial amphibians, birds, insects, snakes and other reptiles ensues.

The cultivated fear of any living thing can cause people to become so paralysed upon encountering an animal in the field that they cannot take the most elementary safety precautions. If bitten by a small animal, amphibian, bird, reptile/ snake, they are in no condition to judge whether it was diseased, venomous, or harmless.

Even in areas of the Americas--and they are extensive--where rattlers are the only venomous snakes; victims usually cannot even report with certainty whether or not the culprit had rattles on its tail.
These are the same people who destroy all harmless snakes (this example may be applied to any animals- any living thing) the natural competitors, and even destroyers of rattlesnakes--thus aiding in these peoples protection through the decrease in the dangerous snakes; that are not really dangerous in the first place; but, that they so greatly fear.

So children should be taught to avoid all unfamiliar animals, not to be terrified by them, and eventually we may have a more understanding adult population. 
©Al (Alex, Alexander) D. Girvan. All rights reserved.