Ophidiophobia in Kaltungo: Verbal Information, Social Learning or Evolutionary

Snakes are one of the most common subjects of extreme fear and phobia among human beings. The medical term for fear of snake is ophidiophobia. It can cause a person to have extreme high level of fear and anxiety. This research was conducted to ascertain the reasons and causes of ophidiophobia about Kaltungo, whether it is due to verbal information, social learning or evolutionary. The study was conducted in Kaltungo town where the north-eastern snakebite treatment and research center is located. The study population consists of school children of various primary and secondary schools within the town, students of higher schools of learning as well as other members of the town who were either born in the town or migrated but are staying in Kaltungo. The procedure for data collection was questionnaire survey research, so a qualitative research method was used. The study reveals that Kaltungo harbors varieties of snakes. It shows that those with the fear of snake experience in Kaltungo have the tendency of having Ophidiophobia. Ophidiophobia is prevalent in Kaltungo, and the impression and fear people have about snakes in the town is as a result of the information people acquire on social media or warnings from loved ones, as well as hearing about other people‟s experiences. Hence, we conclude that ophidiophobia in Kaltungo is caused by verbal information and social learning.