Culturally speaking cats are "good" and snakes are "bad".
Everyone has either had, or known someone who had cats, from the time they were babies to adulthood. People see cats as familiar, cute and affectionate. From a utilitarian perspective cats are seen as beneficial because they catch "pests", like mice and rats.
Snakes on the other hand are seen as bad. Alot of times it's said that it's because the bible portrays Satan as a serpent. I think it predates that. I think the bible actually used the serpent because snakes were already seen as bad. I think the root of it is in two things, 1) Venomous snakes can be deadly and 2) People are unfamiliar with them.
People know that some snakes can kill you but because they are unfamiliar with them they have historically chosen to view all of them as potentially deadly. It's much easier, and safer, to just steer clear of all snakes than it is to learn to identify which ones are harmless and which ones are potentially deadly.
I think in the US it's actually alot better for snakes than in many other countries. Mainly for two reasons. Rattlesnakes are the most numerous and widespread of our venomous snakes and they happen to be very easily identifiable. The second reason is kingsnakes. Kingsnakes are immune to the venom of rattlesnakes and they can eat rattlesnakes. I think these facts introduce people to the concept that not all snakes are bad. So those two things, I think, have combined to raise awareness and make alot of people accept the fact that some snakes are beneficial. There are a few other high profile snakes that are often thought of in a posetive light. Bull, Pine and Gophersnakes are well known among the agricultural community as beneficial predators of rodents. This is understandable but somewhat suprising, IMHO, is indigo snakes. I find it a little bit amazing how well known they are and that their fame seems to center more around their simple majesty, rather than in a percieved benefit to mankind. Again, I think this goes back to familiarity. They are fairly easy to identify and they are big and beautiful with their irridescent bluish black color. Being easily identifiable takes away alot of the fear and their sheer size seems to command respect. Plus they are protected so I think people see seeing one as a special event. But there are still many, many people who in general fear snakes and that fear translates into hatred.
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