Fear? I'm not with you there. Respect? Most definitely.
On a related note ...
Recently I was out biking and passed a copperhead crossing the road. I stopped, turned around, and went back to get a closer look. It was every bit of 3½ feet and probably five to six inches in diameter in the middle.
I was fascinated...and then here comes the pickup driving, rebel flag flying redneck in his F-150. I heard him hit the gas when he was about 25ft from where I (we?) were and sure enough he caught the snake with his right front tire. Literally, that snake was thrown 20-25' in the air...not sure how, but damn sure I saw it flyin'.
D.E.A.D.