Snakes inhabit our fears and stories. Why do they have such a hold on us? For my New York Times column this weekFor my New York Times column this weekFor my New York Times column this week, I take a look at a provocative theory that snakes have shaped our evolution since our primate ancestors first clambered through the trees. This week, a new study added a neurological twist to this idea, as scientists offered evidence that some of our neurons may be exquisitely sensitive to snakes. Check it out.

(And just to stress that our relationship with snakes isn’t all about fear, here’s one of my favorite images from my book Science Ink)