Reactions in social circle

I get the same thing from friends, family and coworkers so I try to educate them about these great animals. It doesn't help with the kind of press that snakes get. I watch Kijiji constantly for snakes and other interesting stuff. I have seen an ad for a Dumerils that a guy is selling. On the weekend his ad had been updated to say that he was looking for assistance (keep on the lookout for) his lost snake! My wife and I had a chuckle about it, trying to figure out what kind of help he expected - most people in Halifax would run if they saw a full size Dumerils. There was an article in the local paper on Monday saying that the lost snake had been found (never left his apartment).

I have gotten mixed reactions. Some people just give me that look that says " oh, so you're crazy" and other people have asked me why i have snakes. And a few have thought its cool. The last reaction is the least common. But I dont really mention my snakes to people too much anymore. If you know I have snakes thats cool and if you dont then you dont need to know.

To the OP I would unfriend them! As to answering the question, most of my friends and family have been cool about it and many come over to check them out. For those that are afraid of them I try to find out why but it amazes me how many are just scared but don't have a legitimate reason except for fear.
Then I show them this.
Average Number of Deaths per Year in the U.S

Bee/Wasp	53
Dogs	31
Spider	6.5
Rattlesnake	5.5
Mountain lion	1
Shark	1
Alligator	0.3
Bear	0.5
Scorpion	0.5
Centipede	0.5
Elephant	0.25
Wolf	0.1
Horse	20
Bull	3

Some of my friends are genuinely interested in my snakes, and are always asking me about them. Others are repulsed. Guess which category of people I admire more? :cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by C2tcardin

To the OP I would unfriend them! As to answering the question, most of my friends and family have been cool about it and many come over to check them out. For those that are afraid of them I try to find out why but it amazes me how many are just scared but don't have a legitimate reason except for fear.
Then I show them this.
Average Number of Deaths per Year in the U.S

Bee/Wasp	53
Dogs	31
Spider	6.5
Rattlesnake	5.5
Mountain lion	1
Shark	1
Alligator	0.3
Bear	0.5
Scorpion	0.5
Centipede	0.5
Elephant	0.25
Wolf	0.1
Horse	20
Bull	3

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Thank you for the data. I agree that people have these irrational fear of snakes because of the exaggerated accounts in folklores and religious texts. Even in the Bible, the serpent is depicted as the representation of evil. I am originally from Nepal, and in those parts of the world the most of the snakes are venomous - like the cobra. That is why people are so scared of them.

Some part of my family went like:
OMG BUT THEY EAT RODENTS that is sooo sad for the rodents ! my response: "The F... you think your cat eats? lettuce ? just because your cats food does not look like it anymore he still eats meat!"

So they kinda turned around :) Other half of my family is obssessed.

Beside that I got friends that envy me, the others do not care and I got ones that just ignore it. But would they be at my place they still all wanna have a look and if they want I get my sweetest ball python out and they can touch the tail side :)

Still amazes me the reactions when they touch it:
OMG IT IS SO SOOOFFTTT etc.etc. who knows some of my friends might end up with some of my offspring :D

So far even he people who I know that don't like snakes have been at least politely interested. They'll even like and share any pics I post on facebook without any rude or unsettling comments. They know reptiles are one of my special interest topics and they're happy that I'm enjoying my hobby!

Usually people ask how big they are, and then dramatically overreact when they hear 4ft. Like they're thinking a 4ft diameter balled up behemoth.

Some people ask if I'm scared they'll bite/attack me. I usually respond I'm more afraid of bumping into rough velcro or something ridiculous, haha. Oh, but it's a snake... that's right. My 2.5 lb snake is terrifying next to your 60lb dog that's just all snuggles.

I've been told anecdotal tales of friends of friends who got rid of their boa after he woke up to it in his bed sizing him up. Which usually gets a healthy chuckle and a BS call out of me. Try to explain that, that story is completely made up, and I'd love to speak to this friend (never gotten a name yet...).

Plenty that want to see them, because they're fascinated.

Then there's my mother in law. Absolutely terrified. Thinks they'll be dangerous when my wife and I have kids. She's bold enough to come in the house, but doesn't want to be in the same room. Naturally... I got more snakes...

Ive encountered tons of prejudice, fear and opposition in my time owning reptiles. It usually begins with family and friends outright condemning ownership of the animals. The way I overcome it is to completely own the situation. I do not express any shame or remorse for my interest in reptiles, rather I show pride in the many diverse, beautiful and exotic species that I care for at a high level. Usually if I confidently speak about my animals, and how amazing they are, it induces some curiosity in my friends/family. I usually introduce them to my calmest boa, which also happens to be my largest. Mostly results in a, "oh my god shes so calm" reaction and, "wow maybe I want one."

I got a lot of people saying I was crazy too, but ya know what? Eff 'em. Severus is my pet and my choice. I'm super allergic to cats and I think birds are creepy, but I don't criticize people for owning them as pets. Snakes have such a bad rep and its crappy. They're awesome pets. They're super interesting to watch and I love learning about different ways to care for my BP. My family made jokes and said I was crazy, but every time we have a family bbq or something they wanna see pictures of him and ask me all kinds of questions. My family is awesome in that way, I've always been the black sheep, but they've always taken time to try and understand and I wish others were the same way.