My first shock I guess about peoples' fear

I took Allure out into public for the first time. I know from posting pictures on FB and in my photo class that some people are pretty freak about snakes. Well I took him into Lowe's where I work at to show him to certain coworkers and to buy seeds. I wasn't too sure what kind of seeds I wanted so I was browsing. Mainly I wanted to show my garden buddies Allure and all the cashiers, loaders, and garden associates touched him and asked questions. I had several customers approach me with questions and it was fun to answer them. Several people were a little scared to come near him but asked questions and showed interest. And several people came up and touched and held him.

Well inside when I was looking as seeds there were several people (mostly my coworkers) that jumped away when they realized he was on my arm. My coworkers inside the store were the most reactive. :rolleyes: But that's ok because us garden people are cooler (I'm a garden cashier usually) and like snakes. One of my head cashiers told me that someone complained about me having him in the store.:confusd: Seriously? I'm just freaking holding him while I shop. I'm not shoving him in people's faces or trying to make his presence known. He just happened to be gripping my arm and chilling while I looked at the seed racks. People bring dogs, cats, and even parrots in all the time. They make noise, messes, get in the way, run up to people, cause allergies, etc. I'm holding a snake that is very friendly, quiet, and sitting on my arm not bothering anyone or doing anything to draw attention. I'd better not hear from work about the complaint either because I'm not working today and they do not approach other customers about their pets. Dogs have always been allowed in the store.

It's just so disappointing the reaction some people give. At least come up and ask questions, or hold one for a minute before you freak out. Once people hold or touch one they realize it's no big deal. It just irritates me when people don't give them a chance. So after this I think I will bring him out in public more. I think the big thing is people don't really have the opportunity to be around them and experience them for themselves, so they go off of media and their own fears and assumptions.

Are there any animals you don't like? Picture walking into Lowes and seeing someone walking around with that. How would you react?

Tarantulas. But I wouldn't complain. I'd ask questions from a distance and then carry on with my day.

If someone brought a strange animal into my store I would walk right up and get inquisitive. Not start judging them or complaining. NO ONE wants to hear that crap anyway. I'm not an ignorant person who lives inside a bubble. I WANT to learn about the world outside of what I see everyday.

Most people on this board are generally respectful of animals, regardless of whether or not a particular kind irks them a bit.

The world is full of people raised to ignorantly fear certain animals so much, they can't even handle it's likeness. My mother wouldn't watch tv shows with snakes or bats on them, and would freak out if a stuffed animal snake touched her. On another message board I frequent, an arachnid owner was bullied into posting her images of tarantulas and scorpions as links in the pet thread instead of posting the image.

If there's no policy against it, do what you want. Just be a good advocate for the species and be willing to answer questions and don't respond rudely when met with ignorance. Let people see that you have a gentle and discreet animal worthy of respect.

They are not dogs or cats keep your snake at home and don't subject people to an animal that many fear, this hobby is under tremendous scrutiny already and things like this only give ammunition to those that wish to see exotic animals banned.

You want to show of your snake do so in contained environment for educational purposes, in an event that is planned and where people are present because they want to learn.

Its just disrespectful imo. If I'm in a store i don't wanna feel pressured to leave because somethings making me uncomfortable.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

They are not dogs or cats keep your snake at home and don't subject people to an animal that many fear, this hobby is under tremendous scrutiny already and things like this only give ammunition to those that wish to see exotic animals banned.

You want to show of your snake do so in contained environment for educational purposes, in an event that is planned and where people are present because they want to learn.

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x2.

I was waiting for someone to point this out.

And chances are its pretty stressful to the snake.

I'll admit I've taken my snakes into stores, but it's usually say, on the way home from an expo or coming from the vet. But they're in a pillowcase, sitting in my bag. And I don't let people know that I have a snake in my bag. I'm not leaving them in the car.

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Originally Posted by Bobbafett

I'll admit I've taken my snakes into stores, but it's usually say, on the way home from an expo or coming from the vet. But they're in a pillowcase, sitting in my bag. And I don't let people know that I have a snake in my bag. I'm not leaving them in the car.

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X2 I may be bending the rules but i dont wanna risk leaving my snake in the car with high or low temps. And what people don't know won't hurt them.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

They are not dogs or cats keep your snake at home and don't subject people to an animal that many fear, this hobby is under tremendous scrutiny already and things like this only give ammunition to those that wish to see exotic animals banned.

You want to show of your snake do so in contained environment for educational purposes, in an event that is planned and where people are present because they want to learn.

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X3

98 percent of people that I know are terrified of snakes. My animals do not go in adventures. If they do, they are in proper transport containers as everyone that will be in the vicinity when they come out are warned and have the chance to leave.


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What about going into a pet store with your snake? I brought my dumerils into my work (pet store) yesterday to show my coworkers and people threatened to kill my snake, "beat my a**" if I got near them, and so on. But I mean, it's a pet store, people shouldn't freak out if I'm in a PET store I believe.

Honestly I don't see how I've disrespected anybody. I never pressured anyone into being near him or looking at him or anything. I pretty much kept to myself and talked to my coworkers. When people asked questions I simply answered them.

I've brought my snake once into the pet store but that was when I was a "n00b". It was in a pillowcase though and we were in the back area where only feeder customers can be.

Also, there are only mice and worms at this pet store. I wouldn't be bringing my snake into a store with other reptiles.

Not everyone shares the same love for certain animals. People are afraid then they're afraid and you can't fault them for that. They came to lowes to shop and I just feel let them shop. Show your snakes off at home, I know exactly how some of the customers may have felt simply because I too was once deathly afraid of snakes until my first repticon show where Limey with royal reptilia got me to touch one. It was after that and much research I overcame my fear and developed love for snakes. You have to look at where everyone involved is coming from and not just the fact that you love snakes so then everyone else should too.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

They are not dogs or cats keep your snake at home and don't subject people to an animal that many fear, this hobby is under tremendous scrutiny already and things like this only give ammunition to those that wish to see exotic animals banned.

You want to show of your snake do so in contained environment for educational purposes, in an event that is planned and where people are present because they want to learn.

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X4.

No need to draw negative attention to them. If your coworkers wanted to see your snake, you should have them come to your house. Not take your snake out.

I understand where you are coming from, I really do. But the fact is, snakes are not considered the cute pets dogs, cats and even birds are. People fear snakes, to the point of complete irrationality, and something like this is only asking for trouble. It shouldn't be, but it is. And as a responsible owner you have to accept that fact, even if it isn't fair. And comparing your snake to other pets is not going to help your cause or garner sympathy. People are not rational when it comes to snakes and other reptiles, they just aren't. And we as keepers need to respect that, even if it drives us nuts. If you really feel the need to bring your snake with you, then please compromise and keep it in a closed container like a critter keeper. At least if it's in a container, hopefully people won't react quite as badly.

You must also realize that while people can be afraid of say, large dogs or parrots, these animals are highly visible and a person who is uncomfortable with them can see them from a good distance and avoid them. A snake on the other hand, is usually small, and you said yourself it was just curled around your arm. Someone who is phobic may not notice it until they are very close, and when they do their reaction is very predictable. I know things like this aren't fair. People get to take their cute, fluffy pets everywhere and have them admired. Reptile keepers on the other hand, must mainly keep our much loved pets out of sight or risk a scene or worse. It sucks, but this is how things are.

On warm evenings here in my neighborhood, I take my favorite female ball python out into the yard with me. She hangs out on my shoulders and enjoys the sun while I quietly stroll around my yard. Because of this, most people never even notice her. But when someone does, the reactions are completely predictable. They either want to get closer to her, and talk about her. Or they scream and jump across the street and run home in a panic, even if my snake and I are 20 feet away. I am not foolish enough to ever leave my yard with her. I don't need or want a confrontation. Sure I'd love to walk around the block with her, and talk to my friends. But I also don't want to end up on the wrong end of a police tazer because I'm endangering the neighbor kids. It's not fair, but I understand that the majority of people don't see her the way I do. She's not a pet to them, she is a vicious, dangerous wild animal and they have a right to be alarmed or even angry she is with me. Such is the life of a reptile owner.

Gale

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Originally Posted by Deborah

They are not dogs or cats keep your snake at home and don't subject people to an animal that many fear, this hobby is under tremendous scrutiny already and things like this only give ammunition to those that wish to see exotic animals banned.

You want to show of your snake do so in contained environment for educational purposes, in an event that is planned and where people are present because they want to learn.

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X2

I was beyond irritated at how many snakes I saw at a medieval fair I went to. These things need specific care, and can be compromised by extended exposure to conditions outside these specifications.

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I'd like to point out that while people do indeed have an irrational fear of spiders or snakes...I know a huge number of people from my childhood whos irrational fear of dogs is literally youtube video worthy.

if the temperatures are right then i see absolutely no reason not to do it.

one exception: i wouldnt want people to feel confined near the snake, it needs to be a setting where people can more or less move freely in all directions and can keep a distance if they wish to. So, no crowded places or elevators, but maybe a visit to the park.

in a park people bring all kinds of animals, mainly dogs but also more unusual stuff like turtles or ferrets or horses. and they do all kinds of things, including juggling fire or or do sports or whatever. Thats a good setting.

i totally do NOT think carrying a snake can in ANY WAY be disrespectful (unless people are forced to be closer to it than they are comfortable with). Disrespectful means something that should be respected is not respected. Should irrational fears and/or ignorance be respected, are they worthy of respect? No. But people still have a right to stay away from snakes if they for whatever reason wish to do so, and that deserves respect. when i take a snake for a walk or into the park or outdoors and its not crowded, people can keep a distance. im not forcing them to come near or be near or be uncomfortable, and that is enough respect i think.

What also deserves some respect is my freedoms within the law. if you have a pet you legally own and when you are not harming anyone and there is no law anywhere that would be broken, then it is within your rights to take it out into the public. if someone sees it at a distance and doesnt like it, too bad, that person can stay away, im not forcing that person to get close, its just not enough to keep me from doing it. I dont see a reason to act as if there would be a law against showing snakes in public, when there is no such law, and the only reason is some people might get offended.

There is no right not to be offended, im offended when i see neo-nazis or when i see a dog crap or when i see scientology or some other cult trying to pull people in, needlessly loud motorbikes and needlessly loud gardening tools also offend me. But everyone is offended by different things, if that would be something that is worthy of respect, there would not be much freedom at all. So, no, if you take a walk while holding a snake and dont force people to get closer than they want to, i dont see it as disrespectful at all.

and i think when done in the right context and in a smart way, it can be very beneficial for the reputation of snakes to randomly expose people to it in public, its all about context and how you do it.

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Its just disrespectful imo. If I'm in a store i don't wanna feel pressured to leave because somethings making me uncomfortable.

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If the same policy is applied to everything then sure.
Because I know people with irrational fears of dogs, even chihuahua or similar sized ones. One guy I worked with is terrified of fish. A couple others, birds.

If the place has a no pets policy except working animals like guide dogs or therapy animals for socially or mentally challenged people then taking a snake in is really not kosher.
But, if it is a pet friendly place and you are behaving responsibly then there should be no issue. Irresponsible owners of any animal are the problem and need to be identified as the problem.

Failure to due so has lead to breed or species bans for both dogs and reptiles.
It is a bad idea to even attempt to bubble-wrap the world so that every single person is 100% comfortable all of the time. That just encourages more people to infringe upon your rights.

I agree with alot of what you say but this time I must respectfully disagree. Allowing this type of soft bullying behaviour only encourages more of it.

Yes I'm saying i would apply it to all animals. In a park, sure, bring whatever you want. Thats a big open public place. In lowes, no, keep your animal home unless its a service animal. My visit to lowes shouldn't be negatively effected by someone else.

But in all honesty, forget about animals. Please don't bring your annoying kids to lowes. I'd rather turn the corner and see a horse in an aisle than a screaming kid.

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

I'd rather turn the corner and see a horse in an aisle than a screaming kid.

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Wow, really? That's saying something...

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Originally Posted by DooLittle

Wow, really? That's saying something...

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I hate people. A sub category of "people" is screaming kids.

Every day we encroach more and more upon the habitat of the animals we claim to love and when an animal is in the same vicinity as a person with a irrational phobia it is seen as a blasphemy. All These rules and regulations that keep people from being exposed to their phobias all the while pushing and breeding more misconceptions pertaining to those animals. People will tell you to set up an educational lecture but doesn't that reinforce the idea that the animal being presented is something out of the norm. And in our society anything that strays from the normal is looked upon with fear and misunderstanding. I used to be scared of tarantulas all the while not having any actual knowledge of the animal.<----- irrational right?
My New Years resolution was to tear down all irrational fears and phobias so at the beginning of the year I did my research and I purchased 3 tarantulas. :) since then I've learned quit a bit about tarantulas and I am now fascinated by them. We are all going to one day be the rulers of a very empty, unhealthy world if we can't find a way to clear some of these misconceptions pertaining to the animals and wildlife out there.

Ps. Said person in Lowes was encroaching on your snakes space. ;)

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Yes I'm saying i would apply it to all animals. In a park, sure, bring whatever you want. Thats a big open public place. In lowes, no, keep your animal home unless its a service animal. My visit to lowes shouldn't be negatively effected by someone else.

But in all honesty, forget about animals. Please don't bring your annoying kids to lowes. I'd rather turn the corner and see a horse in an aisle than a screaming kid.

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I cannot describe with words how much I agree.

Just got back from California vacation with the girlfriend. Saw way too many kids, being way too disrespectful, in way too many places they didn't belong in the first place. I understand people don't always have an alternative, but you program your own children, you set the rules - keep them in line.

The pursuit of happiness is a right, public safety, even psychological, is a responsibility. Consider a container of sorts for those kind of visits.

Could there be a pathogen or mite risk from other friendly customers if say they are sub par keepers?

My snakes don't enjoy car rides and public places so I don't feel the need to bring mine anywhere. An besides I have enough things going on making people look at me I don't feel the need to add something else that's only purpose is to bring attention to me.

Simply put, try not to take your snake into stores. Its fun, yes. I take Salem everywhere, but whenever people get uncomfortable I remove him from view. I love to take him to pet stores, parks, et cetera. The people at our petsmart know him by name and all sorts of people ask me about him. I usually take him to friend's houses, pet stores, and to parks. However again when people show discomfort, I keep him close to me. Do not stop taking him out and socializing him, just don't let those anti-reptile people get to you. Just keep in mind where you take him, for example don't take him into a grocery store or a hardware store, not only is that dangerous but people will gather a negative attitude towards you. Above all else, don't let anyone talk down at you for having a snake. Snakes are beautiful, wonderful creatures, and closed-minded individuals like that ruin your day.

To be frank, I used to talk to my customers about my snake all the time. One person complained about me telling her little girl why pet snakes shouldn't be feared, and I got in trouble about it until a bunch of my coworkers saw me bringing Salem into the pet store and saw how nice he was.

It's really not about the snake, its about the people wanting attention.

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Originally Posted by Kodieh

X2

I was beyond irritated at how many snakes I saw at a medieval fair I went to. These things need specific care, and can be compromised by extended exposure to conditions outside these specifications.

Sent from my SAMSUNG Galaxy SIII using Tapatalk 2

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And I'll bet not a single one of those snakes suffered any problem other than a little temporary stress...bp's are not the delicate flowers so many people make them out to be...

i dont really see too much of a problem with the OP bringing in his bp to where he works, i used to bring my snakes up to my old job (Taco Bell) but usually not inside the store, mainly because it was a place that delt with food, so i just stayed near the car in the parking lot so anyone who is afraid of them has a good distance if needed. alot of my co workers loved touching them and some held them. the people who didnt like them stayed inside but usually ended up taking a peek lol most people down here are terrified of snakes, probably because we have several venomous species here. but i usually always have a snake out when friends or family visit, and because of this my boyfriends mother and aunt both arent that scared of them anymore. my dad still dont like them very much though lol i always try educating people on my street about them if they ask. when i take out my burmese pythons (in the front yard only) the neighborhood kids are always watching from a distance and asking me questions which i am always happy to answer. i only let them come and see the burms if they go ask their parents and one accompanies them, just so there will be no trouble. Everyone on my street knows i keep snakes anyway lol now that i have another ball python, i cant wait till i can take her out and walk down the street with her. my burms are way to big to do that xD as soon as shes is all settled in for a while and stuff i will be taking her up to my petstore (petco) to show my friend that works there. :D

bottom line is if you take a snake into public, make sure theres lots of room, its not too crowded, and make sure its a place that doesn't deal with food. :)

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Originally Posted by STjepkes

I cannot describe with words how much I agree.

Just got back from California vacation with the girlfriend. Saw way too many kids, being way too disrespectful, in way too many places they didn't belong in the first place. I understand people don't always have an alternative, but you program your own children, you set the rules - keep them in line.

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X100!!! lol cant stand how kids are now a days...

This is a reptile forum and the people here would probably like all types of animals.
Many other people hate animals. Many people regard dogs or cats as filthy animals that destroy people's homes and can't understand why people would own them.
Many more people than that have an unnatural fear of snakes and kill a wild snake of any kind on sight.
I wouldn't advise taking one into a store.
If nothing else, it would be a bad career move.

I would say a pet store is fine anywhere elsei would never bring my snake. Not to beat a dead horse but some people are absolutely terrified of snakes. Many people I know are very afraid. When my neighbor found out I have a snake he was furious he even approached me about it. He and his wife would probably have a coronary if they knew I had more reptiles. My mother and sister in law will not even come to my house because I own snakes. I have even said I would cover the enclosures. Their fear seems irrational and ridiculous to me but it is very real to them. Of course I choose my reptiles over them coming over any day :).

I wouldn't take any of my snakes to any kind of store. For their safety, my safety, and other peoples safety. You said couplet other people hold the snake, but what happens when the snake bites them and they want to press charges? It may be extreme but it is a very real possibility.
Also, a store like Lowe's even if the heat is ok the amount to chemicals and dangerous materials could cause some serious harm to you beloved pet. Even at a petstore if an employee has been handling their reptiles they could pass on unwanted parasites or bacteria to your snake then your collection.

Just my .02.

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I don't really know of any dangerous chemicals floating in the air at my store. If he was climbing on stuff sure. But from me holding him I don't see how he's going to pick up anything. The people that held him were my coworkers because I wasn't going to hand him off to people I don't know. I'm kinda surprised about how big a deal this was made into. Seems to be any snake sighting is bad publicity? I'm with some of the previous posters where I don't see why would should have to cater to the phobias of others. Now if I was shoving it upon them, that's wrong of me. The main point of me bringing him in to work was to show my coworkers and no I'm not going to have all of them at my house. I also wouldn't take him into any other store. I wouldn't really bother to take him to the park unless it was for photos or something. I don't care about the "look at me I have a snake". I just wish people had more opportunities to see they aren't scary.

I understand being weary of them if someone has never been around them. I've never been a reptile person, and was even weirded out by snakes. The first time I ever touched a snake was when I took Allure out of his shipping box. Even then I sat staring at him for a minute or two working myself up to pick him up. For some reason getting a ball python just kept popping into my head after a post on another non reptile forum. So I did my research and got one. I respect people's fear and their right to not like my pet. That's fine. I just wish people would be OPEN to non traditional pets, or at least the non fluffy variety.

I don't fault people for fearing snakes, I fault them for being closed minded. Seems to me that if we have to keep our hobby behind closed doors that's promoting the idea that they SHOULD be kept away from people. I don't know. I guess we'll just agree to disagree. I posted just to kinda share my surprisement at how silly some people can be, but also to share how interested some people were. My coworkers were still asking about ball pythons today, even the ones that were scared of him. So seems like I opened up a few people to it, or at least got some knowledge into them about them.

Today while at work a woman came up to me because she recognized me from the other day when I had brought Allure in. She had a daughter with her that day that was nervous to come near me with him, but apparently she's been talking about ball pythons since then. They now plan on getting her one when she's older. I told her to just make sure she does her research before. So exciting that at least one person is now considering getting a snake that was previously weary.

I wish there were reptile/just plain all types of animal instructors that would visit schools and educate kids about various animals. I would of loved that and probably would of gotten a BP much sooner had I been exposed to them when I was young. I know some schools have demonstrators come in but those are very few.

My boyfriend has a parrot that he treats like a child, and he takes it into stores fairly often. It irritates the crap out of me.

Before you leave your house with your pet (snake, dog, cat, bird, spider, whatever) you should ask yourself, "Could everyone else who might be exposed to this animal reasonably expect to see one of these at the store I'm going to?" If the answer is no, you shouldn't take it. For example, would it be unreasonable to think you might see a snake at Petco? No. At The Gap? Probably.

As far as taking responsibility for another person's phobias, that's not what you're being asked to do by not taking your snake into a public place where people wouldn't normally have to be prepared to encounter one. If you were being asked not to take it into a pet store, you'd be right. The phobic person who has a melt down in Lowe's is taking responsibility for their own phobia by buying their do-it-yourself-home-improvement-supplies from somewhere not-snake-related. Same goes for every other animal, by the way.

To me, this is the equivalent of walking through Lowe's with a ghetto blaster playing gangsta rap at an unreasonable volume and then being upset because you shouldn't have to compromise your love of All-50-Cent-All-The-Time just because other people might not like it. It's a public place, afterall.

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Originally Posted by Marrissa

I wish there were reptile/just plain all types of animal instructors that would visit schools and educate kids about various animals. I would of loved that and probably would of gotten a BP much sooner had I been exposed to them when I was young. I know some schools have demonstrators come in but those are very few.

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i was one of the lucky ones who had those demonstrations at school, twice actually. once when i was in elementary school and the second time when i was in jr.high (8th grade i think) and thats how i fell in love with snakes, ball pythons in particular, i got to hold one after the presentation and it was just so awesome. one of my friends also held a reptile, not a snake but a blue tongued skink :) she bought one about a year after that, they were a bit hard to find back then and costed way more than what they are now too. sadly my parents wouldnt let me get a snake. even now my dad dont really care for them, whenever i see him i ususally have one out, but i dont see him too much cuz he lives in another state xD my mom loves my snakes :D she even held my female burmese when she was at 8ft. i just wish my bf would be into reptiles as much as me lol he likes them but not like i do!

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Originally Posted by mbuehler

I wouldn't take any of my snakes to any kind of store. For their safety, my safety, and other peoples safety. You said couplet other people hold the snake, but what happens when the snake bites them and they want to press charges? It may be extreme but it is a very real possibility.
Also, a store like Lowe's even if the heat is ok the amount to chemicals and dangerous materials could cause some serious harm to you beloved pet. Even at a petstore if an employee has been handling their reptiles they could pass on unwanted parasites or bacteria to your snake then your collection.

Just my .02.
I never even thought of employees at petco who could have handled the animals there and then handled mine. God knows some of their reptiles may have parasites.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

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Originally Posted by BrandiR

Before you leave your house with your pet (snake, dog, cat, bird, spider, whatever) you should ask yourself, "Could everyone else who might be exposed to this animal reasonably expect to see one of these at the store I'm going to?" If the answer is no, you shouldn't take it.

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Such a good way of putting it, I want to make sure it's seen. Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should. I'm relatively new to the BP world, but there's no way in the world I would ever take my snake into public. Why? Because it's ridiculous to assume that because I happen to be into snakes, that means anyone else who I might encounter is as well.

Especially with all the anti-reptile legislation that is trying to be passed lately, the last thing "we" need is a group of people contacting their congressmen about how there are "wild, dangerous snakes at Lowe's!!!" Let's use our heads here, people.

:gj:

I Never take juan out unless its the right temperature, and for 10-20 min though. You don't wanna stress him out, Mines is very active so that explains why he likes it. :P

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

I'd rather turn the corner and see a horse in an aisle than a screaming kid.

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I'm not going to pretend that the naughty part of me didn't instantly think of trying this exact thing when I read the part about letting every other animal in Lowes. I wonder what they'd do if I turned up on my 17h ex-racehorse...

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Originally Posted by Badgemash

I'm not going to pretend that the naughty part of me didn't instantly think of trying this exact thing when I read the part about letting every other animal in Lowes. I wonder what they'd do if I turned up on my 17h ex-racehorse...

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I'll ride my horse and we'll meet up. :P

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Originally Posted by Marrissa

I don't fault people for fearing snakes, I fault them for being closed minded. Seems to me that if we have to keep our hobby behind closed doors that's promoting the idea that they SHOULD be kept away from people. I don't know. I guess we'll just agree to disagree. I posted just to kinda share my surprisement at how silly some people can be, but also to share how interested some people were. My coworkers were still asking about ball pythons today, even the ones that were scared of him. So seems like I opened up a few people to it, or at least got some knowledge into them about them.

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Pictures give people an opportunity to see snakes from a "safe" distance, also, and prompt them to ask more questions. I'm one of those people who takes snakes to classrooms, and you wouldn't believe the red tape and downright begging it takes to get approval for that exposure. All it would take is a few parents seeing a BP strike the air defensively in a public place for my visits to their children's classroom to be banned permanently. You can't control a snake's reaction to a public place, or the public's reaction to the animal, which makes it a risk that isn't worth it, IMO. No, we shouldn't have to hide out animals. However, we aren't going to win anyone over by forcing interactions in places that they shouldn't reasonably encounter said animals.

Hey, I'm a garden cashier at lowes too. lol.
And funfact. I've had the dogs customers bring in snap at me and try to bite in lines.
The savannah monitor our one customer brings in never tries to bite anyone.
In my opinion if the rules apply for one person it should any other.
Im proud of you for showing off your snake.
A lot of people consider Indie to be repulsive and if you can change someones mind by showing them the good side of snakes, then congrats.

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Originally Posted by Badgemash

I'm not going to pretend that the naughty part of me didn't instantly think of trying this exact thing when I read the part about letting every other animal in Lowes. I wonder what they'd do if I turned up on my 17h ex-racehorse...

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If nothing else you come out with an awesome story. :)

Dogs need leashes, snakes need bags.

It's not about catering to fear. It's about responsibility and respect for all other creatures, even humans.

There's a difference between not hiding the fact you keep snakes and showing them to those who chose to see them, and bringing a snake out just to show people how cool you are. I've never understood bringing a snake anywhere, ill bring them outside my house in my yard and around my house. I don't see anything gained by draping a snake over me and going about my day like I'm just the average shopper. Most people who see someone walk around with a snake aren't gonna be like o cool I wanna see, what a cool animal you have. Most will think look at that person drawing more attention to themselves than needed. But just my way of thinking

Yeah, big busy stores aren't somewhere I'd bring a snake, no matter how well-behaved they are normally. I do understand wanting to show your coworkers though, and sticking to the garden area on a nice day wouldn't be a huge deal to me. I only bring Sasha, my 'ambassador snake', out to my local pet shop occasionally, and even there I've had people call her disgusting. If you have any sort of local animal expo that happens regularly thats a great place to get a snake used to people, I'm lucky enough to be near one so once it gets a bit warmer I'll probably bring one of my girls with me.

If you're acting responsibly and within your rights, I say do what you please with yourself and your pets. You can't live your life worrying about offending everyone or hurting some cry babies feelings, screw'em. Do what makes you happy. You think you get dirty looks while carrying your pet snake around? You should see the looks I get while doing my grocery shopping with my .45 strapped to my hip..

Sent from my fingertips...

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Originally Posted by Vnuk1

If you're acting responsibly and within your rights, I say do what you please with yourself and your pets. You can't live your life worrying about offending everyone or hurting some cry babies feelings, screw'em. Do what makes you happy. You think you get dirty looks while carrying your pet snake around? You should see the looks I get while doing my grocery shopping with my .45 strapped to my hip..

Sent from my fingertips...

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In a situation where you're taking your snake into a public place where people will be present, "acting responsibly" would be transporting the snake in a bag.

People who are genuinely phobic (regarding anything, not just snakes) are not being "cry babies" and being forced to occupy space with a snake doesn't simply "hurt their feelings". There is a HUGE difference between mild discomfort, moderate fear, and phobia. There's a phobia for everything, snakes just happens to be a very common one. Is it really that big of a deal to carry your snake in a bag and show your friends/coworkers in an inconspicuous place?

What joy or pleasure is derived from witnessing that something you're doing is causing someone else panic and continuing to do it if you don't have to?

"Because I can," is killing the humanity in our society.