What's the deal with the reptile shun?

@SlitherinSisters- Wow! I thought that I was the only person who got the devil worshiper accusation! No wonder religion doesn't appeal to me.

I live in the Deep South, and apparently the only acceptable pet here is a dog. Cats are frowned upon, and herps and their keepers are ostracized. I fully believe that this is out of sheer willful ignorance. Even small animals such as anoles and tree frogs are feared, hated, and killed down here. You wouldn't believe the number of folk tales down here that are still believed. People still talk about snakes biting their tails and rolling down hills like tires, people claim that snakes sting people with their tails, and that they can shatter into pieces and reform themselves.
At this point, I don't even talk about my interest in herps anymore for fear of being antagonized. If one needs rescuing in public, I just get in and out as quickly as possible, and I don't even try to educate people about the animal. What a shame.

Quote:

---

What's the deal with the reptile shun?

---

People are stupid and free thought/critical thinking skills aren't encouraged or developed enough to make the opposite general statement. Not even remotely close...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ER12

Seeing that you are in MN, it might be of interest to you to check out the Minnesota Herpetological Society. Obviously, you won't be able to get through to everyone with these endeavors, but I think you will see that once you join one, reception towards our cause will be overwhelmingly positve. It seems to have been for us, MAHS. Good luck!
http://www.mnherpsoc.com/

---

I've been a long time member of the Minnesota Herp Society, we meet the first friday of the month at the U of M St. Paul Campus (Borlaug Hall) at 7:00pm, we often have close to 100 members show up at the meetings and it's a great way to meet people with similar interests. One of the nicest benefits of belonging to the society is being able to do a 'Hands On' educational show with other members. There are usually at least one or two of these every month and they are organized by our educational chair. A group of members set up a display to show off our reptiles and talk to the public about them. It's a great way to help dispel the myths and negativity surrounding the keeping of reptiles as pets.

I invite you to come to any of our meetings, you don't have to be a member to attend but you might find yourself becoming a member after only a few times. The next meeting will actually be on the 13th of July (2nd Friday of the month instead of the usual 1st Friday) due to the 4th of July holiday. I also see by the calander that they have a hands on scheduled for the two days of the Hastings MN river town days celebration.

Snakes, like sharks and other animals get a bad rap for no reason what-so-ever. They don't have limbs and they look 'slimy' so people get creeped out. Combine that with snakes being used as a sign of evil and mischief in movies, tv and elsewhere and you get a irrational fear that started developing when the person was a kid. That and snakes don't give off the body language that say a dog does, so people are always afraid they will be bit.

Just my :2cent:

After doing a recent presentation with a few friends at a local school (Kindergarden to Grade 6), it was amazing to see how different children at different ages reacted to the snakes and critters.

The most curious of them all were the Kindergardeners. Only two kids out of both classes were afraid of snakes. It didn't help that the teachers assistant that was sitting with them was too. Which is why I brought my geckos. So I was able to break through that reptile stereotype with something a little more 'friendly'. The teacher did scream when my crestie jumped from one hand to another, which scared the children. It was like: "There's your problem right there."

We went to one grade at a time. The grade 1 & 2s were great. The grade 3's started showing signs of being way more nervous of the snakes (especially the boas). The grade 4 & 5s had girls screaming when one of the snakes would move. And the grade 6's were 'too cool' to really want to do anything with them.

Just from that little experience with the ages, it was so so obvious that the kids were being influenced somehow. Why were the Kindergardeners brave enough to come up and ask me: "Can I hold the snake by myself?!", whereas the Grade 4s were screaming and wouldn't even touch them.

I don't talk about my critters much to people, unless I know they're interested. My boyfriend's family openly comments: "Why do you have reptiles anyway? What do you gain from having them?" I simply reply: "They make me happy. Why did you guys decide to have a baby? Isn't he expensive? You don't get any sleep. You had to sell your car to get a mini van. What do you gain from having a kid?"

Ah well. People are allowed to not like what they don't like. As long as they leave me alone, I'm okay with it. I mean, I can't stand 98% of children and babies. And you don't see me walking up to moms and being like: "Your baby is ugly, annoying and high maintenence. You shouldn't have it, because it bothers me." :rolleyes:

I suppose being a Biology major at a University where the Sciences are probably the most common majors makes a difference. I will babble on and on about snakes to anyone who will nod their head and listen. Listening to me has turned one of my good friends into a BP enthusiast now. She's even going to her first Herp Event with me on Sunday. Actually, my friends were a horrible influence and readily encouraged me to get more snakes...and now they all want to come over and see/hold/touch them. My apartment is like a reptile petting zoo to them. :rolleyes: Most of the college age people I meet readily listen to my ramblings and rants about reptiles and the recent ban. Some of them even signed petitions at my request. :P I have met my share who believe everything Animal Planet tells them, but when presented with the alternate and scientifically supported point of view, many will recant their initial statements and agree with me. I love teaching others about my pets.

Of course, I have run into a lot of people who are afraid of them too. Not much I can do about that. People older than me (30s and above) tend to have the hardest time accepting anything I say about snakes. Some look at me with horror when they hear I have snakes. But usually by the end of the conversation we have either accepted that it is something that I enjoy that they have no interest in partaking in, or they are surprised and interested to learn the information I offer. Depends largely on the person. I love my pets and the fact that I want to pursue a career with them can make a big difference in the way I am perceived too I guess. Cause at least then I have a reason for wanting them...right? :rolleyes: Silly people. I think it will get better with time though. Younger generations don't seem to be as fearful. Especially since reptiles are becoming such popular pets...:P