Science | phobias The Most Common Phobias Don't like spiders and snakes? Join the club! By Marie Morris Posted Oct 31, 2009 3:07 PM CDT Copied Keeper John Mostyn lets a diamond python wrap itself around his head at Sydney Wildlife World, Oct. 1, 2009. (AP Photo) In honor of Halloween, LiveScience reveals the most common phobias. If you still need a costume, you'll scare the most people by playing on their evolutionarily sensible fear of creatures with venomous fangs. The top terrors: Snakes Spiders and other "creepy crawlies" Places that are difficult to escape, such as elevators Other people Heights The dark Bad weather, especially thunder and lightning Flying Dogs The dentist Read These Next Lindsey Vonn's pursuit of a medal ends in another crash. Chicken banana, chicken banana, chicken banana. A loathed parasite teeters on the brink of eradication. Film professors are worried today's film students. Report an error