Would you let your kid pick up a dead worm? - Page 3

[liliaceae]

So I guess this is a stupid question, but why can you get diseases from dead animals, but not from dead bugs?

[Daffodil]

Originally Posted by liliaceae 

So I guess this is a stupid question, but why can you get diseases from dead animals, but not from dead bugs?

Because bugs aren't very closely related to us, so diseases that have evolved to use them as hosts probably won't infect humans.  Animals are more likely to carry viruses or bacteria that can also live successfully in humans.

[Rik-E]

Yes, my kids can pick up dead worms.  Dead mammals -- not so much. A worm just seems more 'earthy' and a mammal or larger creature is like rotten meat I guess?