Reaction of family/friends to your snakes

[Kira]

I recently got my first snake- a lovely 5 month old ball python. Most reactions have been pretty good but there's always the people that think it's weird. My grandma said having a snake isn't "lady-like" and that I'll have "a hard time finding a husband". 😂 I had someone tell me "Don't forget to feed it or it will eat you!" And no, he wasn't joking.

How have your family and friends reacted? I'm curious to hear about the experiences of other members!

[Craiga 01453]

"Don't forget to feed it or it will eat you!" That one is always good!! My mother wasn't surprised at all... my brother was stoked because his wife won't allow snakes in her house, but he can always come hang out with mine...my father is afraid of snakes (even the little garters in his Massachusetts yard)...
Co-workers and friends often seem to have a fascinated from afar type of reaction. They want to see pics and stuff, but still think it's a bit weird.

Your grandma's comment was the best though, priceless!! I have to disagree though, sorry Grandma. I think a woman who keeps snakes is a keeper!

[Mike17]

My parents don't know, and I'm afraid of what they'll say when they come visit me.

My girlfriend is jealous because there is a lady in my bedroom lol!!! But she loves her too.

My friends well I have all sort of friends, those who ask legit questions out of curiosity and those who ask morbid silly questions just to be scandalous about it.


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[ballpythonluvr]

I told my mother once that I love snakes and that I had a ball python. She was like, "Why snakes?" and she also stated that she hoped it would escape at night while I was asleep and strangle me in my sleep, lol. Mind you my mother and I do not get along very well to begin with. I just said ok whatever and continue to live my life the way I want and the way I enjoy, with snakes.

[Kira]

"Don't forget to feed it or it will eat you!" That one is always good!! My mother wasn't surprised at all... my brother was stoked because his wife won't allow snakes in her house, but he can always come hang out with mine...my father is afraid of snakes (even the little garters in his Massachusetts yard)...
Co-workers and friends often seem to have a fascinated from afar type of reaction. They want to see pics and stuff, but still think it's a bit weird.

Your grandma's comment was the best though, priceless!! I have to disagree though, sorry Grandma. I think a woman who keeps snakes is a keeper!

Yes I'm sure my baby ball python is planning on eating me! Haha I think people just hear the word "python" and freak out.

Thank you! I am a keeper...a snake keeper I wouldn't want to marry someone who thinks women shouldn't have snakes anyway! My grandma is VERY old fashioned.

[halfnakedlife]

My daughter is the one who pushed me to get her a snake, about a month ago. All my friends are saying (still is) that my daughter is weird, why not adopt a dog/bunny/cat/fish anything that's 'normal'. My parents said pretty much the same w Kira, that when it grows, it'll try to eat my daughter. Then a friend told me in serious manner: 'don't let the snake wrapped itself around you, coz it's a sign that it's sizing you up to eat you. if you don't believe, google it, the story is everywhere. a girl is so worried about her snake not eating for months and got it checked to a vet. the vet was asking if the snake ever wrapped itself around her, she said yes every night when they sleep together. then the vet said to quickly get rid of it because it's sizing her up to make a meal out of her.'
it spooked me alright, luckily i did my own research and found out that it isn't true like at all!


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[Kira]

@Mike17

You're an adult so don't worry about what your parents think. I'm sure they would come around. My mom hates snakes but she likes my ball python. Whenever she comes to visit me, she has to come check on my snake.

@ballpythonluvr

Wow that's quite an extreme reaction! I'm sorry that you don't get along with your mother but maybe it's for the best. Good for you for making your own choices and living your life how you want!

@halfnakedlife

I hate when people judge others based only on what pets they have. So many people have lizards and frogs so why is a snake weird? Yeah, don't worry a ball python doesn't have that kind of strength. There isn't a single documented case of a ball python ever killing someone!

[cchardwick]

I think it comes down to the fact that many people have never met a 'nice' snake. They think of mean wild snakes that they run into in the wild. I know a lot of people who are terrified of dogs because they never met a 'nice dog'. They have images of getting bit by wild mean dogs in the neighbors yard. It's difficult for me to comprehend but many people are even terrified of puppies. The same thing with snakes, if you get a real nice snake that you can totally trust, similar to a dog, it's a wonderful pet! Not only that but it's neat to show off that snake to non-snake people, usually they are totally amazed at your puppy dog tame snake!

[Tigcollins]

My mum loves snakes so I didn't have an issue some of my mates though think is weird as they don't like snakes x

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[halfnakedlife]

[I hate when people judge others based only on what pets they have. So many people have lizards and frogs so why is a snake weird? Yeah, don't worry a ball python doesn't have that kind of strength. There isn't a single documented case of a ball python ever killing someone!

I guess the word snake plus python freaks people out, no matter what you say after
Honestly, I was reluctant to get a snake as pet but I also emphasize to my daughter to respect every living creatures on earth, including snake, so I shouldn't judge snake negatively without giving it a chance.
Plus she's fallen head over heels over the lil snake & cried every time she had to part with her at the expo.
It's been a 5 weeks and I haven't regretted the day we brought the lil noodle home.