Facebook friends and family getting on my nerves

[crepers86]

So last night I got into yet another arguement with a friend of mine on face book, she was out with her sons at a creak with a couple of .22s hunting water moccasin. they should pictures of severel snakes they had shot and I told them it was cruel to the animal to just shoot them in spite. she replied back to me that she hated snakes and would shoot anyone that she sees. I explained to her that this to is animal abuse no different then me shooting a dog or a cat because I didn't like it... I would probely end up in jail or with a hefty fine. then everyone on her friends list just started hounding me because I choose to stick up for the snakes that where not being killed for food.

so just a few minutes I posted this on facebook after a little bit of research that I am not all that clear and from talking to some of my reptile loving friends here in texas on facebook

I know a lot of people on my friends list don't like, even have a fear of these wonderful animals called snakes. I so happen to have a healthy respect and love for all snakes. Snakes have a purpose and I feel that they should be left to live on there own... except when bred in captivity for the pet trade and even for scientific research, even those in labs that are used to produce antivenoum are kepth with upmost respect and greatest of care. so if and when I see someone on my friends list rather your a friend, family member or someone just there I am going to speak up on killing a snake out of fear or hatred towards that animal.

just to let some people know most dogs and/or cats are immune to most rattle snake and coral snake venoum and 90% of the time a snake that does strike is striking because it is not being left alone and will not use its venoum. I wish more and more people would do the research snakes that have and learn that there is nothing to fear of these God created creatures.

I have faced my fears agains spiders which I still have phobia of and scorpians which creep me out as well.

I have respect for all types of animals and don't think one needs be killed just because they misunderstand or don't have the knowledge of the animals

[TheSnakeGuy]

Sorry you came across some haters. It's our job in the herpetological community to defend these animals and to educate the ignorance out of people. When someone makes a negative comment about a snake I always ask, "who told you that?" or "who taught you to be afraid of snakes and why did you listen?" I just about never get a real answer, and that's how I begin the conversation about the good that snakes do in the animal community and how they are not the demonic creatures people have made them out to be. Not knowing about an animal is NOT a reason to hate or fear it. It's a reason to ask questions or leave it alone. It is never a reason to shoot it. I would find it hard not to slap someone right across the face if they told me they went out to shoot snakes. And you're absolutely right, it is NO different than shooting an untagged/uncollared dog that's walking down the street.

[MarkS]

Yet another reason I don't do facebook.

[Kodieh]

It might just be your personality (no offense) because people know how I am and keep their nosey comments out of business. I also don't go out of my way to not post things related.

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[Southern_Breeder]

Heck Im 23 and I don't have a facebook. I am reluctant to even have a facebook page for my business but unfortunately it is a good source for communicating with other that are interested. Its all garbage IMO though.

[Diamond Serpents]

Yet another reason I don't do facebook.

X2 TYVM. If I wanted drama I would have stayed in high school.

To the Op, you also have to be a open minded person, I really don't see anything wrong with shooting a wild poisonous snake on my property. It's also not your choice to tell some one that what they're doing is wrong, that's why she probably got mad at you. Sometimes you just have to bite your tongue. I wouldn't let it upset you some people are just ignorant, and don't know how to react to some people, best thing to do is be the bigger person and let it go.

[Diamond Serpents]

Heck Im 23 and I don't have a facebook. I am reluctant to even have a facebook page for my business but unfortunately it is a good source for communicating with other that are interested. Its all garbage IMO though.

Yup I'm there with ya, 25 and don't have one. I hate Facebook but I agree with you on a Facebook for business.

[Artemille]

Killing a snake that's under your shed when you don't know whether it's venomous or not; I understand.

Going out of your way to bring your child into the woods to teach them your fear of a little reptile that was fine staying in the woods, and shooting a bunch for the fun of it; not cool at all.

That reminds me of one highschool friend of mine on facebook that regularly posted photos of her dad big game hunting multiple African lions for just a trophy head. She also sold her childhood pet dog to replace it with a breeder female German shepherd and keeps breeding every year despite having a bunch of stillborn pups and babies that were put down for spinal deformities.

I don't think I'd get rid of my facebook account. Despite mostly using it for my personal Schadenfreude fix, I do use it to keep in touch with a handful of people.

[Kodieh]

However, I'm skeptical of my local reptile scene since getting into it on Facebook.

I'd rather pay the extra shipping money than drive to some nuts house that probably has a body heat pad on his tanks. Or, just free ranges his snakes. (no one's done either of those though!)

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[Expensive hobby]

I love animals, I own lots of them and always have. I also hunt deer, wild pig, squirrels, rabbits etc. does that mean I'm ignorant for hunting?

Fish and Game does population analysis on animal species, and they determine if it is ok to hunt them or not, or how many can be hunted. Nothing wrong with humanely hunting animals as long as it isn't done in a fashion that is obscene, or cruel to the animal...

Btw, again I love animals, and I always treat them respectfully and humanely.