Is there really a huge controversy over reptile ownership??

I just recently got my first ball python. I owned a skink as a kid, never thought of owning a reptile as "weird." How is it any different than owning a hamster or gerbil? Particularly the snakes... it didn't occur to me that people would be so critical/passive aggressive over someone owning a ball python, but I'm kind of picking up on that. I'm failing to see the issue with it?? Is it merely a phobia thing? Religious? Who the hell goes around judging people for their pets, of all things? Please tell me if there's a legitimate controversy here or if it's just an overblown myth, because I've never blinked an eye over owning a reptile and it seems absurd that anyone would be bugged by it.

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Originally Posted by Maymay

I just recently got my first ball python. I owned a skink as a kid, never thought of owning a reptile as "weird." How is it any different than owning a hamster or gerbil? Particularly the snakes... it didn't occur to me that people would be so critical/passive aggressive over someone owning a ball python, but I'm kind of picking up on that. I'm failing to see the issue with it?? Is it merely a phobia thing? Religious? Who the hell goes around judging people for their pets, of all things? Please tell me if there's a legitimate controversy here or if it's just an overblown myth, because I've never blinked an eye over owning a reptile and it seems absurd that anyone would be bugged by it.

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You sound exactly like me a year and a half ago when I got my first ball python... It surprised me too and I went through the same thoughts! That people were still so critical/quietly judging and totally misinformed if you get a snake for a pet- I couldn't believe. I thought people were smarter these days.

Main actual controversy going on is with the large constrictors. Otherwise, there is nothing wrong at all with ball pythons. Just overblown myths and beliefs that are so ingrained. Phobias mixed with extremely ingrained myths.

Only thing I'm aware of is fanatics like Peta and SPCA and those places which if they had it their way, any ownership of any "exotic" critter would be banned. From what I have seen, ownership of reptiles has grown a TON since I was a kid. Back then there was no Herpstats, VE or any PVC cage companies. A fancy cage was using 2x2 studs to make a frame and then nailing sheets of plywood to make the walls. Then using glass on tracks for the door. Heat was heat lamps surrounded by wire caging. That's when I had my Nile Monitor, Savannah Monitor and my first ball python. Much easier nowadays to keep reptiles with all the fancy stuff lol. There always has been and always will be those people who judge you on pets you own and who condemn certain pets. I personally cant see the point to owning spiders but hey, if someone wants one, go for it and more power to you lol. Just don't let it crawl on me or I might have a heart attack and die lol( i'm scared of those things).

I've had religious backlash, as well as creepy and weird and why would you do that stuff.

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Originally Posted by Ptshay

I've had religious backlash, as well as creepy and weird and why would you do that stuff.

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People don't outright say it to me, but I can kind of feel the thought from certain people, if you know what I mean. :\

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

People don't outright say it to me, but I can kind of feel the thought from certain people, if you know what I mean. :\

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Like that look they give you when you say you have a pet snake. Where they kind of look at you for a second and get really quiet, and you can see a slight hint of "I didn't know you were like that."


Herp Derp

Everybody I've ever physically introduced to pet reptiles ends up accepting them at the very minimum. Most end up fascinated and want to take selfies to show their other friends/family. The people most adamant against them tend to be those who have no experience with reptiles whatsoever. My ex GF forbade me from getting a snake (not the reason for the ex thing btw, :P). She absolutely refused to let me introduce her to one and would become irrationally angry any time it was even mentioned.


I guess for some people it's just one of those things that's ingrained into them.

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Originally Posted by KingWheatley

Like that look they give you when you say you have a pet snake. Where they kind of look at you for a second and get really quiet, and you can see a slight hint of "I didn't know you were like that."


Herp Derp

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It's totally unfair, but I think for you ladies a part of it is gender expectations. When I was a kid and catching lizards and mantids to put in a jar people never batted an eye. A female friend in elementary school was told it wasn't good to join me because only boys do that.

I've never had an issue. There have certainly been people that were afraid of reptiles and didn't understand why I would want to keep them, but never anything amounting to judgement. I was just the weird stoner kid that kept snakes. Nobody judged. As an adult not many people know. I don't talk about it much other than to my friends.

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Originally Posted by KingWheatley

Like that look they give you when you say you have a pet snake. Where they kind of look at you for a second and get really quiet, and you can see a slight hint of "I didn't know you were like that."


Herp Derp

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LOL "I didn't know you were like that." They act like you just told them you're into tentacle porn or something. It's just a pet x)

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Originally Posted by Ptshay

I've had religious backlash, as well as creepy and weird and why would you do that stuff.

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Religious? Like how?!?! I'm a Christian as is my family and I've never heard one religious objection to snakes!