Arachnophobes are born with fear of spiders

Scientists have revealed that people are born with the fear of spiders rather than something they learn.

Research suggested that arachnophobia could be sown into the DNA as a result of survival instincts developed by our ancestors millions of years ago in Africa, the Daily Star reported.

The research suggested that spiders presented such a powerful threat to the survival of the first humans that the ability to spot them became an evolutionary necessity.

Joshua New, from Columbia University in New York, said that a number of spider species with potent venoms populated Africa long before people.

And people with arachnophobia actually have better survival instincts than the rest of people, he further added.