Katie: Reptile Convert and Love of My Life - Post about converts you know!

Happy birthday mr Dave


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Happy (belated) birthday, dakski! :bday:

Well, you can't win them all it seems. Took my BP upstairs to show my two year-old niece. This was the exchange:

"Want to pet him?"

"No..."

"Isn't he pretty?"

"No..."

I'll wait till she's older. :snake:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Snagrio

Well, you can't win them all it seems. Took my BP upstairs to show my two year-old niece. This was the exchange:

"Want to pet him?"

"No..."

"Isn't he pretty?"

"No..."

I'll wait till she's older. :snake:

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Two year olds just don't know enough yet, & can be fearful, unpredictable or clumsy, so it's just as well for now. Good try though. :gj: Hold that thought...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Two year olds just don't know enough yet, & can be fearful, unpredictable or clumsy, so it's just as well for now. Good try though. :gj: Hold that thought...

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She's hesitant around the chickens too. She does live with a cat and puppy at least and likes them and our dog.

Probably just needs more time to graduate to less "conventionally cute" things I suppose.

New convert. My sister Ally came to stay with me in Katie this past week. She lived far away and hadn't met all the reptiles yet. They were a big hit! She held everyone and even hand fed Frank (BTS) dead grasshoppers, watched Carra eat Dubai, and fed Figment (corn) a F/T mouse on tongs. She even scared our sister Sarah who walked in while she was holding Behira (BI)! Sarah is less of a fan of the reptiles, but not a hater. She didn't realize how big Behira had gotten. She hadn't seen her for a long time.

Some pictures below, which include a sneak peak at the finished basement (with work completed, decorating almost done - compliments of sister Sarah an interior designer, and almost fully cleaned up and decluttered), and even a little of the reptile area pre-cleanup, but finished.

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Basement is looking awesome dave.[emoji7][emoji7][emoji106][emoji106]
Really glad your sister loved interacting with the reptiles [emoji7][emoji7]

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by dakski

Some pictures below, which include a sneak peak at the finished basement (with work completed, decorating almost done - compliments of sister Sarah an interior designer, and almost fully cleaned up and decluttered), and even a little of the reptile area pre-cleanup, but finished.

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That reptile nook is looking awesome! That's gonna be a neat little hang out basement when it's done.

Way to recover my man! A spirit of courage. Those reptiles are awesome and that reptile room/ basement is looking top notch by far! Congrats brother. :gj:

Wow, very nice basement remodel and you've even got a great new "snake model" too. Way to go! :gj:

Katie had a couple of friends over the other night. Neither one were particularly fond of reptiles, especially snakes. Having said that, they were both curious. Long story short, they are converts! Susan (not pictured) touched a bunch of the snakes and Frank the BTS, and even held half of Jeff (male BI). I held his top half and she held his mid body to tail.

Katie (my Katie's friend - not my wife) even got brave enough to hold Jeff and then Behira! See pictures below. She was a little nervous at first, but ended up really enjoying the interaction.

Always happy when I (and my reptile buddies) can get people off the fence and into appreciating reptiles.

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That's so awesome! :D Making "converts" is one of my favorite things too. :gj:

Ally is back for the holidays. Here she is with the entire crew!

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Another one bites the dust. A new friend from in town came over yesterday. He said his two fears were snakes and spiders. Well, he met his snake fear. See below pics and also of him holding Frank (BTS) who he wasn't afraid of.

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I love it! The hater they are, the harder they fall! :rofl: I think many people just need to meet some friendly herps- they've just gone thru life, never experiencing herps for themselves & feeding off the fears of others- in social circles & in movies. Even many vets can't seem to warm up to them- I was shocked to hear "Dr. Jeff" [Young- aka Rocky Mtn Vet tv series] say something one time like "oh, I thought it might be a snake" -clearly indicating that they're animals he'd rather not see. :P

As a member of the human race, I realize we're come this far by sharing our knowledge & culture, solving challenges together & all that, but I really wish more people would learn to think for themselves when it comes to understanding animals they're unfamiliar with.

Katie's brother came to visit recently (and from far away). He brought his 3 boys ages 3, 7, and 10. The 7 and 3 year old really wanted to meet the snakes. The 10 year old said, "only lizards. I don't like snakes."

Well, first of all, Frank (BTS) and Carra (LG) were a big hit. They watched Carra eat a Dubia and they were all enamored by Frank. Frank was less thrilled. He's not used to all the attention. They were excellent and calm with him, but he got stressed quick. I put him back, but he couldn't have been too stressed as 5 minutes later he was begging for food. He got his meal and happily ate it.

I took all the snakes out (1 at a time). We went small to big, starting with the corns and working up to Yafe (CP) and Behira, the big BI girl. The 10 year old wasn't sure when Figment (corn) came out, but he watched. He was interested in Solana (scaleless corn) and even touched her. Yafe and Shayna (BP) got a quick tap as well. By the time we got to the boas, he was a full convert. He pet Feliz (dwarf BC), held Jeff (male BI), and Behira too! They all did great - snakes and kids. Behira and Feliz are amazing. So calm and docile. Jeff seemed to get a little stressed, but he is young and growing still.

I put everyone away and we moved on video games. Ten minutes later, the 10 year old was asking if the snakes could come out again! I told him, "next time."

They are here for 2 weeks, and were back today. Two minutes in..."Uncle Dave, can we take the snakes out?" All 3 helped Katie with Behira while I cleaned up a ton of boa urine and urate. No one was a fan of the smell, but all were happy when Behira came out and after I cleaned the mess.

Interestingly enough, I think the kids were almost as interested in the IR temp gun. The 3 year old wanted to check everyones temps - snakes and humans alike.

I have some pics, but I am not sure about posting them as I haven't asked Katie's bro (the kids dad). If I can, I will.

Either way, new convert and some very happy kiddos who had a good experience with the reptiles. I should add that the 10 year old was asking a lot about temps and cold-blooded vs. warm-blooded animals, etc.

Behira is really turning into a reptile ambassador in a big way. Very proud of her.

Sounds familiar. I can attest from experience that it's a great show. You really outta take it on the road. Hook up with Phil Goss on his next trip to Washington. Together you could put all the anti-reptile legislation to bed permanently.

More converts!

My friend came over with her son and they met all the reptiles. She was a little hesitant, but not afraid at all. She wanted to set an example for her son so she held the bigger snakes before him and with him.

She told me at the end that she never thought reptiles could be this much fun!

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Seeing (& holding) is believing. :D You did good, opening more minds about reptiles. :gj:

I should probably start a new thread just for pics of my sister Ally and her "Neph-Snakes" and "Niece-Snakes!" Regardless, she loves spending time with them and fed both Solana and Figment (corn snakes) this visit.

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Ally is very photogenic & clearly loves all your snakes- better check her deep coat pockets & suitcases when she leaves. :rofl:

I did not get pictures, but we had a (new) friend, Meghan, come over yesterday evening. She was not phobic, but was "scared" of snakes. She said she would look at them in the tank, but that is it.

I had her pet Frank (Blue Tongue Skink), who she was okay with. Next I took out Feliz (dwarf red tail boa) while she stood about 10 feet away. She ended up petting him, Solana (scaleless corn), and even Yafe (Carpet Python).

She was really amazed at how calm and docile they all were. She had no idea.

Always happy to educate and encourage people to learn about reptiles and reduced their fears.

Of note, her mother was here too (Meghan is an adult), but was very scared and would not even go in the reptile area. She was okay being the in the finished basement, but not going in that area. I told her I do not perseverate fears and I was fine with her not meeting anyone. She thanked me and said she was essentially, set in her in ways.

I could tell Meghan was curious but a little scared and did not understand how calm and docile pet reptiles can be. She warmed up fast. Her mom, on the other hand, was not going to be convinced and I did not try.

I think it is important for reptile owners not to push with people who are truly scared. Just my opinion, but I think it is ineffective.

Anyway, always happy to convert someone.

Well played! :gj:

With that collection of yours, no one is better equipped to win converts than you. Keep up the good work.

A friend of my adopted aunt came by to see the reptiles. Her daughter and grandkids have a BP, but she wanted to see my crew.

Wan't sure where to post, and not a convert, but she was amazed at the collection and had a great time. She learned a ton and asked a lot of questions.

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Well, mission accomplished! :D Not a "convert" per se, but it's easy to see she is thrilled to meet your beautiful pets. That's the "trouble" with snakes (& herps in general)- you get to know one, & you want more! :cool: