Phunny Phobias
If you met someone who was afraid of paper or wax statues, wouldn't you tell them to stop being so ridiculous and get over it? Every Monday, Null editor Hayley hand-picks another bizarre phobia and tries to work out whether it's real or rubbish.
This week:
Zemmiphobia: fear of the great mole rat
What's so scary about it?
There's nothing scary about the great mole rat. Do you know why? Let me enlighten you... Sites across t'interweb make spurious claims about this creature - that it is a very large naked mole rat, that it takes part in the rituals of underground cults in New Mexico (I wouldn't trust the Urban Dictionary on this one) - and, like the million and one other phobias listed on various phobia treatment sites, I'm assured I can cure my fear of it online for a small (astronomical) fee. But no matter what these sites say, let me tell you now: there is no "great mole rat". A short bit of detective work and a zoologist have assured me of this.
What do the scientists say about it?
Nothing. It doesn't exist. There is NO GREAT MOLE RAT. There is a blind mole rat. There is a lesser mole rat. There is a silvery mole rat. There is a big-headed mole rat. And there is even a greatER mole rat. But there has never been and never will be any great mole rat. Got that?
Hayley says:
"I don't think I'm making myself quite clear enough. Rubbish."
So far: Real 8½ Rubbish 9½
Find phunny phobias from other weeks here.
Null's other regular features:
Tuesday: Nutty Nomenclature
Wednesday: Doctor Doctor
Thursday: Peculiar Periodicals
Friday: End of week timewasters
Image: W. And just for the record, this is a lesser bamboo rat, which looks
nothing like the great mole rat, because the great mole rat DOESN'T EXIST.
nothing like the great mole rat, because the great mole rat DOESN'T EXIST.
Share this
