Why is it so weird?

[El_Dorado]

I am a new snake owner, so of course during my first week of snake ownership I took pictures of my dear BP, Molly, and posted them on Facebook. I promptly received a few, "Pretty," "Cool," and, "Neat" responses, but then received a lot of negative ones. Apparently, my 1/5 foot ball python yawns because she wants to eat me? And she is going to get out and strangle my neighbours' cats? And she can't feel love and so she doesn't appreciate her home?

I've been called a couple not so nice names and I just don't get it! What is so weird about owning a snake? Personally, between dogs, horses, rabbits, and a multitude of other pets, it's so nice to have a pet that doesn't need 24/7 supervision and attention. It's so nice that I'm not covered in hay or have my shoes eaten by the end of the day!

While I understand that some people just don't like snakes, I empathize with those feelings, but why am I "stupid" and "insane"? I like to think I have at least half a brain cell floating up there somewhere...

</rant>

[rabernet]

I hate seeing that on friend's Facebook posts as well. True friends would be supportive of you and your choice of pet. Most of my friend on FB are other reptile keepers - so I don't have negative comments on my photos.

My friends who don't care for reptiles care about me enough to just not comment at all.

[Vypyrz]

Can't you just delete the haters from your friends list? I don't know. I don't have FB...

[stratus_020202]

I googled dog attacks, and statistically throw it back in every one's faces. I know the ratio of dog owners to snake owners is a tipped scale, but it's still a lot more on the dogs side.

I brought my mom around by telling her "I know people don't like them, and that's ok. I'm not asking everyone to like them, but I do. That should be enough to respect what I want in my life." Also, this phrase goes a long way "You have the right to hate my animals, but please don't take my right away to love them." Seems to tug at peoples hearts.

[Brstin2flames]

I got the same thing from people on my facebook when I just got my first ball python a month or so ago. I've wanted a snake for at least 10 years and my mom would never let me...she was scared it would get out and kill our cats or our small 9 pound dog haha So I waited about a year after I moved out and decided it was time for me to get my first ball python!

The worst I got was actually at work...the older people I work with think I am insane. They think its disgusting and have no problem telling me that. I just dont get it really...I think snakes are just very misunderstood.

You're true friends will be happy for you and your pet choice.

[ER12]

There is still are negative cultural bias and irrational fears held against reptiles, and snakes in particular. One can always try education as the antidote for ignorance. Don't let the closed minded discourage you from this wonderful hobby!

[MissLeMew]

When I got my first bp, the same thing happened on fb, and I went through my friends list and got rid of all the haters

They were people I never really talked to anyways, so I didn't worry about it too much. My close friends are very interested in exotic pets, and are always fascinated by my ability to walk around with a snake on my wrist and not worry about it. They'd personally never own a snake, but they think it's neat that I'm "brave enough" to have them.

[j_h_smith]

Well, I guess you now have an idea of who your friends really are.

Jim Smith

[maverickgtr]

While I haven't had anyone call me insane for having one, I have encountered a lot of ignorance about snakes when I tell people I keep snakes and reptiles in general [mostly when I mention the snakes though]. For example, my roommate thought that my ball python would get big enough to eat our 35 pound husky. Once she met Zoey, and I informed her ball pythons at an absolute maximum reach 6 feet and can't eat a husky, she loves her. She's still hesitant to hold her for very long especially if I leave the room, but now she's thinking about getting a snake herself [either a corn snake or a ball python]. One of our friends came over for a small party and I had Zoey out when I walked downstairs because I didn't think that many people were here yet, she freaked out. But after talking to her about snakes for a little bit and having my bf hold Zoey while we talked she slowly built up the courage the just pet Zoey and realize they're not all bad.

Long story short, sometimes the fear and hatred is just from ignorance and once people learn, they're much more accepting. Sounds like you just need to talk to these "friends" and educate them. Though I'm with the rest of the posters in that they don't seem like very good friends if they can't just accept that you like them regardless of what they're going to say.

[twan]

Only a clown would make those comments an ignorant clown at that. I get alote of why ?'s why I got a snake and what purpose do they serve yata yata but on the good side they are deffinatly a chick magnet haha.