The way spiders walk is what makes them scary, scientists reveal, not their hairy legs
SCIENTISTS have uncovered the reason people are afraid of spiders — and it’s how they move rather than their hairy legs.
Experts say arachnids have a “unique locomotion” that causes fear.
The way its legs move in tandem makes it look “angular” whereas most people prefer a curved appearance.
Lead researcher Philip Lindner, from Stockholm University, said: “These findings suggest it is the locomotion pattern of spiders, more specifically the movement of the legs, that is the primary characteristic that people perceive as frightening.
“The main body of a spider remains relatively stationary during movement, meaning that locomotion is observed through leg movement alone.
“The angular appearance of the legs, amplified by the short outward‐reaching movement, along with the fast, seemingly unsynchronised pace of each leg, explains the fear association.
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The Swedish study asked 100 people to rate their fear of seven characteristics of spiders.
The way they move and their size were identified above colour and hairiness in provoking terror.
Dr Lindner now hopes his findings could help to treat those with fear of spiders, known as arachnophobia.
