*shudders*
I'm not a particulary nervous or squeamish person but there are a few things that can reduce me to a squeaky, pathetic girly girl.

First one - Slugs. Now I KNOW that they can't catch up with me, I KNOW that they don't bite and I KNOW if it came to a battle between me and one of them all I would have to do is stand on it but that doesn't help.
I just cannot stand them.
They are slimy and evil and ooze around with evil intent. And how do they get into houses? How do they do it? During autumn, most days there would be slug trails in our kitchen, despite me putting salt down by the door. If I see one I have to get away from it as fast as possible. No matter who might be in the way.

Next phobia - squid and octopus (octopi?). Now this is awful. I can barely write about this. It's their...suckers. The idea of all of those tentacles is creepy enough but to put suckerpads on them? I just can't cope. I can't watch them on TV or films, see pictures in books or anything. I went to Newquay aquarium once and accidently bumped into the octopus tank as it uncurled itself from a rock and stuck to the window. Oh dear god. It's horrific. AND they have beaks which can crush a mans finger. AND they can walk onland if they have to, to get to food or something. AND they have been know to escape from their tanks and eat other fish in aquariums.
*shudders*
I have to stop now as I am making myself all cold and shivery.
yuk
(Lucy Van Pelt embracing ginlovers, Sun 13 Apr 2008, 15:00, 8 replies)

Re: octopodes
You might want to avoid reading L'Anglais décrit dans le château fermé in that case...
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Sun 13 Apr 2008, 15:07, closed)

Yes!
Yes!!! Slugs are sick and wrong. All my vegetarian loving of animals went out the window when i found a slug in my shower. I flushed it down the drain then poured boiling water down the drain, then poured washing soda crystals then bought a plug cover so it couldn't crawl back up and wreek(spelling) its evil revenge on me.
I didn't know that octopi (yeah i'm gonna go with that) could walk on land. i hadn't considered them til now.
(electrogirl no one thinks about the implications of a clown su, Sun 13 Apr 2008, 15:10, closed)

Know your enemy
Honestly, if a slug were in the shower I don't know if I could use it. I mean, taking my clothes off near where it had been?
oh no.
And I live in Wales and for some reason there is an uber breed of slug that has leopard style spots on it. Nothing ruins my day more than having to hop over one on the way to uni. I do squeak with fear. People do look at me funny.

As for the octopus walking thing, I tried to learn as much about them as possible. Know your enemy. Unfortunately most information comes with pictures so I have to ask other people to read it and then tell me what it says. You'd be surprised how many of my friends are fuckwits and make stuff up.
(Lucy Van Pelt embracing ginlovers, Sun 13 Apr 2008, 17:02, closed)

to me
the worst part of the slug incident was the fact that it had to have crawled in through the window WHICH IS SITUATED AT THE OPPOSITE END OF THE ROOM TO THE SHOWER. that means i could have trod on it or sat on it while going to the toilet or anything.
(electrogirl no one thinks about the implications of a clown su, Sun 13 Apr 2008, 21:58, closed)

Octopii
From what I've read, I have to add credence to LVP's octopii phobia.

Octopus are extremely intelligent creatures, a large aquarium recently noted one of it's sharks went missing whereabouts unknown and it was only when the janitor reported that the remaining shark was being stalked by an octopus did scientists realise that octopus actually hunt some fearsome fish relying on their intelligence, stealth and dexterity.

Squid are also highly intelligent and some species (ie Humboldt squid) have snared and abducted divers. It should be noted however that this behaviour has taken place within traditional squid fishing grounds, outside of which they're curious but benign so it could be argued that their behaviour isn't necessarily aggressive.
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Mon 14 Apr 2008, 0:16, closed)

You see?!
PJM has only confirmed my fear! Nothing irrational about this one, I'd say its stranger NOT to be terrified of some massive sucker bearing, beak snapping, walking on land evil bloody thing.
AND when you boil them (my parents made me watch this on some antonio carluccio cooking program) their tentacles curl around their head like some bloody flower.
*cue sideshow bob style uuuuuuuuuuuuurg*
(Lucy Van Pelt embracing ginlovers, Mon 14 Apr 2008, 8:36, closed)

slugs
how do they get in? I trod on one once and it exploded. not nice.
I've seen tracks by a chair in the living room this morning before work. I think I'm going to go a little nuts with the salt tonight
(Katzilla Follow Me! @Kat_Zilla (I don't promise funnehs), Mon 14 Apr 2008, 10:25, closed)

Electrogirl ^^
How do they get in? It's horrific. I salt all around our kitchen and still they get in. Must be some kind of magic. I've never seen one enter and I've never seen one leave the kitchen. They're just There one day. urg urg urg.
And the sea slugs? Don't get me started.
(Lucy Van Pelt embracing ginlovers, Mon 14 Apr 2008, 14:35, closed)