Got a chance to educate some people recently....

I moved into my new place last January so with summer upon us I like to take my bps out in the backyard to crawl around in the sun for a bit - well, my new neighbors saw me out there with my bp and they (the wife, husband, daughter and two sons) all came over asking me all sorts of questions about them.

They knew absolutely nothing about bps at first and started asking all the typical questions new comers ask - they were afraid at first but before the conversation ended they were asking to hold him. It was funny to see the excitement on their faces when they were holding him - they ran and got a camera to document the event.

I think they were pleasantly surprised that he wasn't slimy feeling - lol. I answered all their questions and I think it was a good experience for them to understand more about snakes.

They asked if they can come over next time I have a different morph out in the yard - I told them that would be great.

I felt good being able to educate people on how wonderful snakes really are.

Tobie was the perfect ambassador for our new neighbors - he behaved wonderfully as usual.

:banana::banana::banana:

I love it when i get to educate people on bps. Congrats on gaining some new herp followers lol.

Sounds like an all around great experience for both parties. :D
I'm glad you took some time to tell your neighbours about your snakes. Maybe they'll get their own some day.

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The lady just kept saying she was sooo glad to finally see one up close - she has always been afraid of them but after I explained to her that bps were non-venemous and basically harmless - she actually held him. She was all giggles while she held him - it was too funny.

The funnier thing was - of the five people in my yard - the two men were the most hesitant and the hardest to convince to even touch them - LOL!!!

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Originally Posted by L.West

The lady just kept saying she was sooo glad to finally see one up close - she has always been afraid of them but after I explained to her that bps were non-venemous and basically harmless - she actually held him. She was all giggles while she held him - it was too funny.

The funnier thing was - of the five people in my yard - the two men were the most hesitant and the hardest to convince to even touch them - LOL!!!

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Funny how that works sometimes. :) I had some friends over one evening and had my Bee out. Someone asked me to help them hold the door, so I handed him off to my friend Chris. About three minutes later he handed him back (with an "umm, ok, that's good") - the funny part of the story is that I didn't realize he had never touched a snake, and he just took him as a reaction! It was a little presumptuous of me not to realize it, but we've known each other for 7-8 years, so it didn't even cross my mind. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by L.West

The lady just kept saying she was sooo glad to finally see one up close - she has always been afraid of them but after I explained to her that bps were non-venemous and basically harmless - she actually held him. She was all giggles while she held him - it was too funny.

The funnier thing was - of the five people in my yard - the two men were the most hesitant and the hardest to convince to even touch them - LOL!!!

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Ive said this before: I really find that most girls/women i talk to are way more accepting of the fact that i have snakes. Guys try and act tough or like im a freak bc i have them then the one chick in the whole group will start firing questions at me and be interested in them. Then all the guys look stupid bc i get all the attention and the girls think they look stupid bc they said they were afraid of a cute little bp.:D

I think that girls see the morphs and they can relate that to cloths or purses or shoes or whatever. So they think the morphs are really cool, just like Prada and LV are cool lol! winwin

That's awesome! I'm sure that was a very rewarding experience not only for your neighbors, but for you as well! It's always nice to be able to shed light on these creatures to those who haven't had the chance to be around them. Good for you! And props to your neighbors for being so open to listening to what you had to say, and even approaching you with their questions!

It's always great to see people learning more about reptiles and the hobby in general. Just going out and about, most people are surprised to hear what I do for a living (I look like such a "nice, normal young lady, do I really work at a reptile store?" is what I often hear in response) and I have to laugh and tell them they'd be surprised at just how many "normal looking" people keep reptiles.

It's great for people to encounter reptiles in a secure, safe way that doesn't encroach on their personal space. I think it's important and helpful for many people to not just come across them out in public, but rather in a situation that they can accept more readily. At a neighbor's house, in a reptile store, or at a reptile specific presentation, these all provide excellent places for people to encounter reptiles in a way that is somewhat expected (and thus not scary).

This sounds like it was a great experience all around - and the kind of experience they're probably going to share with their friends! :)

-Jen

Yeah, I have to admit - I was very happy to brag about my babies. LOL

I always enjoy showing them to people and being able to explain away all the misconceptions that are floating around about them.

I only showed them a normal - can't wait for them to meet my Pied Girl - she is just stunning.