found online by Raymond
From The Journal of Improbable Research:
Scary animals, a new study reveals, can be separated into five distinct clusters :
“(1) non‐slimy invertebrates; (2) snakes; (3) mice, rats, and bats; (4) human endo‐ and exoparasites (intestinal helminths and louse); and (5) farm/pet animals. However, only snakes, spiders, and parasites evoke intense fear and disgust in the non‐clinical population.”
…
The study revealed some unanticipated results – such as :
“Having been bitten by a dog [also] decreased the mean disgust rating and the more serious the injury, the lower the rating was.”