Question to everyone who has snakes

When I was 2-3 years old, I went into a pet store and they had a ball python. I remember him perfectly, and have wanted one ever since. I begged and begged my parents all the time, but they didn't want any more pets (we've owned dogs, cats, horses, fish, and then wild snakes, turtles, lizards, etc., that I'd catch and keep for a day when I was a kid) but I never had my own ball python. When I was old enough to buy my own, I did it. Got my first normal with my own money (and some of my boyfriend's money ;) ) and he lives at my house, hidden from my dad, because he doesn't know I have him, haha! That got my boyfriend interested, so now we've just been buying morphs. I love snakes, they're by far my favorite reptile. Balls are my favorite of all snakes. We want to breed in the future and have already planned what our snake room will be in the house that my boyfriend just bought :)

Because they are quiet, don't jump on people, are easy to clean up after, don't cost a lot, and are misunderstood. Okay that is what I tell non-snake-lovers. The real reason is because they are my kids. I always talk about them like they are children and I take pics all the time, they watch TV with me, Perry goes shopping with me sometimes. I'm eighteen, I don't need a child of my own, I don't want a child for at least six years or more... But I still want responsibility and the outcome of all the hard work that I put into them. No, they are not surrogate children in the least, my actual child will just have A LOT of older sssiblingsssss :snake: when they are born.

Plus they are beautiful creators that need love and care like every other animal. Perry, my girl, gives me kisses every time I hold her. She will go to my nose, pause, and lick it before continuing on her way. She has done this ever since the first year I had her. They like being out and meeting my friends, Perry usually more than Draco, and I have been able to show a lot of people that they aren't evil beings that are from Satan. They just got a bad rep from history.

They all have their own personality and they show it often. How could you not love these animals? My boyfriend went from, not liking snakes, to being a snake 'daddy' to my two balls, and now he is wanting to get a boa for himself. he says he's only getting one... but we all know how THAT goes.:rolleyes:

Sorry it's a long winded post but it's all true.

I'm an animal person. I have been forever. I am fascinated by literally every single creature on this earth, their biology, survival tactics... I want to know it all. Buying my first reptile was just a natural progression of my interests, I think.

My siblings and I all seem to have very focused and intense interests. When we find something we like, we get deeply involved quickly and without ever letting up. That character trait combined with the already addictive qualities of balls, has made me a crazy snake lady! :snake:

I love my reptiles like nothing I've ever felt before. It sounds silly to other people, but I know you guys understand. I've never been a very emotional person, my thinking is very logic based.. Except with my little buddies. I am a complete sap when I think of my babies. I think about them constantly when I'm not with them, my heart swells every time I see them, and I know that I'll be growing old with them. They are basically the boyfriend I've never had :rofl: They are just absolutely amazing.

I think snakes and reptiles are awesome. Seems like everyone has a cat or a dog, but reptiles kind of remain the weird/creepy animal that most people will kill if they see one. They drop the "Oh it's water moccasin" line anytime they see a snake. I think snakes kind of have a bad wrap in society and a lot of people are freaked out by them. I have a beautiful female ball python that I've had since she was tiny and now she's 4.5 feet long. Anytime I go to a pet store I check out the reptile section and the care/husbandry is pretty bad if not horrible, so I feel really good knowing my BP is healthy, well taken care of, well fed, and cared about. I bring her out to show my friends and let them see that snakes aren't bad at all, and I've changed a lot of people's perceptions of snakes. It beats the hell out of fish, imo. They're more "exotic" and you can actually handle them. I've never been bit or struck at in the 3 years I've owned her. I fed her a good rat today after she gave me the signal the last couple nights by coming out of her hide to roam around and now she's back to hiding haha. She's a good one! I named her Giuseppi thinking she was male, but I like the name.

The one thing i love about where I'm working is that on my name tag they give you a place where you can put a picture of your pet in so you can see them and show them off all day. Naturally I did a group shoot of my two snakes and now they're going to be shown off lol my coworkers already call me the crazy snake girl

I'm not entirely sure. It's one of those things where you don't know why, but there's a huge fascination and passion there.
I really like feeling their muscles move when I'm holding them, seeing their tongues flick out, their interest in their surroundings. I even (almost) enjoy feeding time.
I think it's all the power and grace they have.

My explanation wasn't great, but anyone who has snakes understands!

Are you kidding? Where do I start? lol

I love reptiles in general because they seem like they are in a constant state of meditation. Just sitting, watching, existing.

My father always liked snakes. I remember when I was really young I asked him "if they have no legs, how do they move?" He couldn't explain it to me, he said I'd just have to hold one to understand. We went to the zoo and I was enthralled.

Hippie aside, ball pythons are my absolute favorite! They are so sweet and friendly. I live in AZ, so their cold body against my skin feels great, and I think they appreciate the warmth, too. The morphs adds so much excitement to it, as well. It amazes me how well their bodies do exactly what they are made to do, especially squishing mice. Not to mention their adorable personalities.

Another total animal lover here as well. :) But I love snakes and reptiles above most other animals for several reasons. They are beautiful in ways that most fuzzies can't be, with colors and patterns. As someone has said, they are exotic and different and therefore attract a lot more questions and teaching opportunities. And snakes are some of the least needy pets one can have (as opposed to dogs, horses, guinea pigs etc.) and in fact prefer not to be bothered much. Also, reptiles have amazing personalities and are a wonder to watch for a biologist/animal behaviorist like me. :D
I also just generally love having reptiles around. My BTS adores watching TV, especially when Ari is playing video games, and is always begging to be taken out for handling (he paws the door of his cage very enthusiastically). The snakes, on the other hand, are great for just sitting with and chilling out. They are calming to watch and interact with.
Reptiles are simply awesome pets, and we need to spread the word to all those who don't understand that. :D

Oh, and Royal Chick - your statement "Because they are quiet, don't jump on people, are easy to clean up after, don't cost a lot, and are misunderstood." Should be slightly changed. You should say 'don't cost a lot TO MAINTAIN.'. :D Getting all the equipment, caging, and the snake itself (depending on morph) can be exorbitant! But upkeep of snakes is, indeed, quite low compared with most other pets.

I like them because they are different. They aren't the typical furry cuddly animal. I'd say they are a lot like fish, they are fun to look at, but at least you can hold your snakes and walk around with them!