Fear of frogs

Fear of frogs and toads is both a specific phobia, known simply as frog phobia or ranidaphobia (from Ranidae, the most widespread family of frogs), and a superstition common to the folkways of many cultures. Psychiatric specialty literature uses the simple term "fear of frogs" rather than any specialized term.^[1] The term batrachophobia (fear of amphibians) has also been recorded in a 1953 psychiatric dictionary.^[2]

An American bullfrog in Huntley Meadows Park

Cultural beliefs

Some cultures accord the sight of a frog as a bad omen. Other cultures regard the sight as a good omen. ^{[citation needed]} Portuguese shopkeepers use ceramic frogs to deter Roma people, and also serve as a marker of anti-Romani prejudice.^[3]

A common myth says that to touch frogs and toads may give one warts. A survey carried out by researchers from the Johannesburg Zoo have shown that in modern times old superstitions play a less significant role and modern children are more concerned whether frogs are venomous or harmless.^[4]

As a phobia

A phobia of frogs often begins after seeing frogs die violently. One case of severe fear of frogs has been described in Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry in 1983: a woman developed an extreme fear of frogs after a traumatic incident in which her lawn mower ran over a group of frogs and killed them.^[5]

See also

• List of phobias