5 However, It's worth examining why so many pcople arc afrald of snakes. Research suggests that humans are born to be wary of animals like snakes and spiders. This is likely a leftover survival strategy from when humans lived in the wild. People who could detect and avoid these threats were more likely to live. But there is littie use for this strong aversion when it comes to pet snakes. The common pet species are not harmful to humans. Being afraid of them simply because they are snakes means missing out on the chance to have a unique and friendly pet. 6 If a snake does seem like the right pet for you, you can start doing research. Look into the different snake species and what they need. For example, ball What is the purpose of the fifth paragraph? It provides background on some people's fear of snakes. It suggests the need for future research on snakes. It introduces ideas to consider when choosing a pet snake. It defines a term important to the author's main claim.