Reactions in social circle

After I adopted my first BP over the weekend, most people in my social network seem to think I am [absolutely] crazy to adopt a snake. One guy even went as far to say that my pictures of Noodles on Facebook were too gross. Have you also had to face such criticisms?

Shortly after getting my BP, was at a family dinner. Someone must have told my sister-in-law and from across the room she called out, "Is this true? Why did you get a snake?!"
After a moment to think about a response I shot back with, "I'm allergic to cats".

Just this week there was a news story about a pet rescue / reptile store in Ohio that had a break-in and some snakes were stolen. Here's a paragraph from the story, which is being repeated in many online news sites:

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The stolen stakes include: three Motley pythons, two Burmese pythons, one Bumblebee python and one Ball python. The snakes are all juveniles, about six months old or younger, Everley said. Some can grow to about 30 feet long.

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http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2015/06/seven_rare_pythons_stolen_from.html

Really, a good thing to do is take some photos and video clips with your snake so they can see its actual size and how calm it is when being handled. And that it isn't a 30 feet long killing machine...yet.

I did not. At least not with my friends or family. My mom wont hold them but she has no issues taking their pictures (she is a professional photographer). If I go out to a store and I talk to people about my snakes, I very often get "eww" or "why?" remarks. I do not let it bother me though and I simply explain my passion.

No, I don't have facebook.

I don't get the attraction.

Most of my family thinks I'm crazy but they don't say to much anymore because in doing something That I love. Unless I put pics up of feeder rabbits or chickens

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I actually have a lot of friends who love my tiny snake, but I have some very odd friends sometimes. :D Some people don't understand why I look at so many pictures or why I want to go to reptile shops when I travel, but these few rarely say much about it. :gj: The worst reaction I have had is my father-in-law and his mom, who are terrified of snakes but don't really say much about it. Father-in-law informed me that he stopped trying to hit them while mowing the grass, just for me. I consider that an improvement. :weirdface

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Originally Posted by The Golem

Shortly after getting my BP, was at a family dinner. Someone must have told my sister-in-law and from across the room she called out, "Is this true? Why did you get a snake?!"
After a moment to think about a response I shot back with, "I'm allergic to cats".

Just this week there was a news story about a pet rescue / reptile store in Ohio that had a break-in and some snakes were stolen. Here's a paragraph from the story, which is being repeated in many online news sites:


[/FONT][/COLOR]http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2015/06/seven_rare_pythons_stolen_from.html

Really, a good thing to do is take some photos and video clips with your snake so they can see its actual size and how calm it is when being handled. And that it isn't a 30 feet long killing machine...yet.

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It's not 30' now and won't ever be. If any snake were to reach 30', with actual verifiable proof and not hearsay or forced perspective, I'd hand over my next 3 pay checks. There have been no verified recorded cases of snakes reaching or exceeding 30' of any species, just tales of such snakes.

I have gotten so "ews" and "but whys?" but even the people who used to be disgusted by them have begun to like snakes after all the pictures I post on my FB. Even my grandmother, who used to fear for my safety with my 6' BCI has slowly become more used to them and doesn't worry so much now that she knows a 6' boa poses little danger and she knows I'll take precautions with my retic. Overall, I've had fairly positive feedback.

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Originally Posted by CloudtheBoa

It's not 30' now and won't ever be. If any snake were to reach 30', with actual verifiable proof and not hearsay or forced perspective, I'd hand over my next 3 pay checks. There have been no verified recorded cases of snakes reaching or exceeding 30' of any species, just tales of such snakes.
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I completely agree! But that line was included in the article at legit news sites. It's very irresponsible reporting and just seems to be inserted for shock value; it is irrelevant to the story.

http://wgntv.com/2015/06/16/7-rare-p...ohio-pet-shop/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/0...n_7593972.html

It's like saying, "A 4 month old jack russell terrier has been stolen. Some dogs can grow to 44" paw to shoulder and weigh up to 130 pounds".

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Originally Posted by The Golem

I completely agree! But that line was included in the article at legit news sites. It's very irresponsible reporting and just seems to be inserted for shock value; it is irrelevant to the story.

http://wgntv.com/2015/06/16/7-rare-p...ohio-pet-shop/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/0...n_7593972.html

It's like saying, "A 4 month old jack russell terrier has been stolen. Some dogs can grow to 44" paw to shoulder and weigh up to 130 pounds".

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Whenever a snake story is reported or snakes are involved in a TV show, etc. they will insert as much shock value as they can squeeze in. Anything snake or reptile related that is geared towards the general public will be filled with fear-mongering and misinformation. It's just like anything else in a culture, it's included to cement values.
In this case it's the fear of snakes.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by CloudtheBoa

Whenever a snake story is reported or snakes are involved in a TV show, etc. they will insert as much shock value as they can squeeze in. Anything snake or reptile related that is geared towards the general public will be filled with fear-mongering and misinformation. It's just like anything else in a culture, it's included to cement values.
In this case it's the fear of snakes.


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True. Animals are to be respected not feared. Most animals only attack when their personal space is invaded or they are afraid of us and they want to defend themselves.

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