Dealing with family/friends who dislike snakes?

[Pampho85]

Hey there guys! I just wanted to ask, how do you guys deal with family members or friends who dislike snake? Do openly handle them in the house when they're around, or do you tend to keep them away whenever guests come over?

I myself don't have any snakes, however, in my yard there are a lot of wild garter snakes, which are always fun to catch and watch. (I do release them back!). But, my family is fearful toward snakes, and even up to the point where my dad had me mowing the lawn as soon as I turned 11 because he was scared of them haha. However much I like animals (reptiles in particular) I can't get my family to do the same, my dad would sometimes kill garter snakes on site, even if I voice my disapproval. I'm hoping to become a zoologist with another major in education and hopefully will obtain a job dealing with animals on a regular basis. I also hope to get a wide variety of snakes in my own house and breed them as a hobby, be it to collect a little bit of money or just to hoard them in my house (Joking!). Enough of my life, how do you deal with people who don't like snakes?

[Skittles1101]

My brother, literally, would rather die and be cut up into little pieces than be in the same room knowingly as a spider. I own 11 tarantulas.

He totally disapproves, he'll visit my house sometimes but will completely avoid the room where I keep them. I respect his ridiculous fear by not taking them out and chasing him around the house with them, but I also make it perfectly clear that these are my pets and demand the same respect for them as if they were a dog/cat/guinea pig.

I got lucky, my mother loves snakes. My step father HATES them, but even with that hatred for them allowed me to house them at HIS HOUSE for 2 days when I was without power. He'd probably still run over a harmless garter snake with the mower every chance he gets, but he respects my love for them and don't think he'd EVER do it in front of me. It's tough when your family doesn't share the same passion as you do, but there should be a mutual respect. I don't think taking out one of your snakes when the disliking party completely has no interest will do any good. If anything, it will piss him off further.

A fear, as ridiculous as they are sometimes, is still a fear. You can try just talking to him about different facts about your snakes. Sneak them into conversations occasionally. Eventually they will warm up to the idea that they are your pets and you genuinely love them...and if you're lucky they'll respect your love for them in time...even if they never ever want to see them lol.

[Don]

I've found that it is better to not bring snakes out when people visit our home. People who know me, usually know that I have snakes. If they are curious, I will take them to the snake room and show them some of the more fascinating morphs (Spieds, Pieds, SuperBlast, etc.). I start with babies, because they are less intimidating. If they want, I let them touch them. Usually, if they are really afraid, I will let them touch the back or belly while I keep the head away from them.

Sometimes, people will just want to see them. Others will hold a few. What I really enjoy is when someone tells me that they are terrified of snakes and before you know it, they are thinking of getting one. The way to make this progression is to allow them to overcome their fear on their on schedule. Don't force the issue. Forcing someone to see a snake when they don't want to is the best way to make them more fearful.

While you are getting the snakes out, talk about their care and genetics. If you have a nippy snake, leave that one in the tub. I've got a very calm Silver Streak that many people have fallen in love with. She is the perfect one for someone to hold for the first time. Know which snakes react better to people.

Sometimes it takes several visits to my snake room before someone is comfortable holding one. The key is to let people overcome their fear at their pace. The more they are exposed in a non-threatening way, the more acclimated to them they will become.

As far as outside, WC snakes, I'd use the same principles. Slow gradual introduction, while talking about their habitat, food source, etc.

[tcutting]

My brother, literally, would rather die and be cut up into little pieces than be in the same room knowingly as a spider. I own 11 tarantulas.

He totally disapproves, he'll visit my house sometimes but will completely avoid the room where I keep them. I respect his ridiculous fear by not taking them out and chasing him around the house with them, but I also make it perfectly clear that these are my pets and demand the same respect for them as if they were a dog/cat/guinea pig.

I got lucky, my mother loves snakes. My step father HATES them, but even with that hatred for them allowed me to house them at HIS HOUSE for 2 days when I was without power. He'd probably still run over a harmless garter snake with the mower every chance he gets, but he respects my love for them and don't think he'd EVER do it in front of me. It's tough when your family doesn't share the same passion as you do, but there should be a mutual respect. I don't think taking out one of your snakes when the disliking party completely has no interest will do any good. If anything, it will piss him off further.

A fear, as ridiculous as they are sometimes, is still a fear. You can try just talking to him about different facts about your snakes. Sneak them into conversations occasionally. Eventually they will warm up to the idea that they are your pets and you genuinely love them...and if you're lucky they'll respect your love for them in time...even if they never ever want to see them lol.

this is pretty much how it goes. you dont have to try and change their opinion, just make sure they understand they are your pets.

My mother is in town and is deathly afraid of them, with that said, i do not take them out i just take care of them as i normally do and dont force them down her throat. her own curiosity got a hold of her and she watched them eat... from a "safe" distance. and for me and how my mom is that was a HUGE win. they dont need to like understand or care for my pets, just simply respect that they are my pets.

if you try to force it on them, you will just get frustrated in most cases.

[Trackstrong83]

My mom is TERRIFIED of my snake, even though she has never tried to bite or hiss at anyone, and is the sweetest snake I've ever came in contact with. I started a thread a while back titled "why I think people are afraid of snakes". Check it out

[Mike41793]

My family is very animal friendly so i guess ive been pretty fortunate. When i brough my first bp home when i was 14 my mom freaked out and hated it but once she realized that no snake myths are actually true she didnt care anymore. Shes never held any but shes touched them, watched them eat, and held their sheds. Im up to 4 bps, soon to be 5, and shes totally fine with it. I would even go out on a limb and says she sorta likes them lol. My stepdad and uncle had snakes when they were younger so of course they like them. My moms sister married a guy who was a reptile nut.
My grandparents that live next door to me are the only ones who hate them now. My grandmother cant even look at them or she gets scared lol. My grandfather always comes over and checks them out or likes to watch them eat but if i take them outta the tubs then he goes running and says he'll chop their heads off lol.
I would sit down with your parents and have a very serious conversation with them about why they dont want you to get a bp and why theyre afraid of snakes. Alot of the reasons people are afraid are simply myths. Make a list of their concerns and fears then come here and post a thread or just PM me if you want. I will to my best to honestly explain any concerns they may have. Then you can show your parents to convince them. Here are some good reasons why a bp would be an awesome pet or reasons that you could tell them why you want one:

Theyre fairly cheap to buy initially and to maintain compared to a dog, cat, bunny, ferret, or fishtank. For example:
32qt tub- $8 (at walmart or target).
1 ultratherm heat pad- $15
2 RBI hides- $14 (6.89 each).
1 ceramic dog dish- $1 (at a dollar store).
Newspaper for bedding- free
VE-200 thermostat- $115 from RBI. (this is the one i use and i love it. their are other good brands out there though).
Thermometer/ Humidity gauge- $12 from Amazon
TOTAL- $165. Compared to any of the other animals i listed above thats pretty cheap!

Theyre also nice bc you dont have to walk them, dont have to play with them, only have to feed them once a week, they dont smell, you only have to do a full tub cleaning about once every month, they dont make any noise, theyre hypo allergenice and they take up only a very small space. Idk why every kid doesnt get one lol!!!

[Trackstrong83]

My family is very animal friendly so i guess ive been pretty fortunate. When i brough my first bp home when i was 14 my mom freaked out and hated it but once she realized that no snake myths are actually true she didnt care anymore. Shes never held any but shes touched them, watched them eat, and held their sheds. Im up to 4 bps, soon to be 5, and shes totally fine with it. I would even go out on a limb and says she sorta likes them lol. My stepdad and uncle had snakes when they were younger so of course they like them. My moms sister married a guy who was a reptile nut but by the time he married her he only had a hognose left.
My grandparents that live next door to me are the only ones who hate them now. My grandmother cant even look at them or she gets scared lol. My grandfather always comes over and checks them out or likes to watch them eat but if i take them outta the tubs then he goes running and says he'll chop their heads off lol.
I would sit down with your parents and have a very serious conversation with them about why they dont want you to get a bp and why theyre afraid of snakes. Alot of the reasons people are afraid are simply myths. Make a list of their concerns and fears then come here and post a thread or just PM me if you want. I will to my best to honestly explain any concerns they may have. Then you can show your parents to convince them. Here are some good reasons why a bp would be an awesome pet or reasons that you could tell them why you want one:

Theyre fairly cheap to buy initially and to maintain compared to a dog, cat, bunny, ferret, or fishtank. For example:
32qt tub- $8 (at walmart or target).
1 ultratherm heat pad- $15
2 RBI hides- $14 (6.89 each).
1 ceramic dog dish- $1 (at a dollar store).
Newspaper for bedding- free
VE-200 thermostat- $115 from RBI. (this is the one i use and i love it. their are other good brands out there though).
Thermometer/ Humidity gauge- $12 from Amazon
TOTAL- $165. Compared to any of the other animals i listed above thats pretty cheap!

Theyre also nice bc you dont have to walk them, dont have to play with them, only have to feed them once a week, they dont smell, you only have to do a full tub cleaning about once every month, they dont make any noise, theyre hypo allergenice and they take up only a very small space. Idk why every kid doesnt get one lol!!!

THIS!!
Most people are afraid of snakes, without having a reason. If you were bit by a snake when you were very little, okay understandable, but about 99% of the fear is conjured up by the media.
And a snake is by far the lowest maintainance pet I've ever had. Feed her every 4 days, she poops once a week. Plain and simple

[Pampho85]

@Mike:
Thanks for your response as well as everyone else!

My parents won't talk about the subject at all, I've tried numerous times over the years, and they said as soon as you get your own house then you can have whatever you want. My mom even says she won't visit me if I have snakes haha. (An incentive! lol joking) For my mom, I know the problem, since both my parents grew up in India, they have had contacts with snakes before, her being that her neighbor got bitten by a King Cobra and she saw what happened to him (He died) and she gets it from that. Even though I explained how the snakes I want to get aren't poisonous. In contrast with my dad, he grew up in the cities in India, and is very one sided when it comes to animals. I've been to the house he grew up in India, and mind you there were a LOT of lizards and geckos, and the occasional snake. And from what his brother said, he was bitten numerous times by geckos and lizards, so much so, that he dislikes reptiles now. However, I got a volunteer position at the largest zoo in Illinois and I'm hoping to talk to zookeepers as well as try to handle some reptiles while there. But, as for owning one that's a no right now haha. Guess I'll just have to wait till I get my own house, which can be anywhere from 5-6 years. (I'm 17) Thanks for the offer of helping though! I appreciate it!

[Skittles1101]

Basically, I was told I needed to wait until I moved out to get any reptiles as well. Their house, their rules But I have a house full of creepy crawlies now and it was well worth the wait

[Cendalla]

Basically, I was told I needed to wait until I moved out to get any reptiles as well. Their house, their rules But I have a house full of creepy crawlies now and it was well worth the wait

Same here. Moved out, did college, got married, and then got the reptiles. Mom and dad will visit and mom will look at them (not hold) and dad just pretends they don't exist. He hates HATES snakes and nothing I do can change his mind. Its also his right to feel however he chooses. I respect that.

As far as other people- I don't let others know that I have snakes or tarantulas. I don't want my pets stolen and I don't want someone complaining to animal control and have issues with ignorance-read to many stories of snakes being put down for mistaken identity (I save my need to share and chat about them for online).

I kinda think the best way to handle fear is to breed it out. I have a three year old son who knows all the snakes names and wants his own (and he can when he is older). Teach your kids and siblings. Get them while they are young. I think ball pythons and red knee tarantulas would be hugely popular pets once we finely overcome the sensationalized media!