Does owning a BP affect your relationship with others?

When i got my first snake (a garter snake who happened to be pregnant) when i was a little kid, my mom wasn't all too thrilled with it, but it didn't reallly affect our relationship. I've recently discovered how much of a hobby snake keeping really is, and got a ball python a few months ago and my mom actually likes her.

I'd like to know how people react when they hear/see you house your snakes in tubs. I built a rack over the weekend and my dad (whose much more of a dog person) doesn't fully understand how a snake can be happy in a small space. I've told him that, just like you shouldnt humanize a dog, you shouldnt treat a snake as if its a dog.

Well, all I can say is it keeps my nagging mother-in-law away, I guess thats a plus. lol. My wife doesnt care for snakes but shes pretty open minded, even suggesting that we start my son out with a baby corn. people I work with though, wont even come to my house anymore. They say things like "arent your worried about your kids, those things are dangerous and they'll strangle your kids in there sleep". I tell them ive been educating my children about snakes and im trying to pass my new hobby on to them, even getting help with giving medication without even so much as a bite. Then i get looked at like I have 3 heads. lol.

ive had certain freinds for years and when i tell them i have a snake there like "snakes are stupid why do you have a snake". i dont understand how they can critisize something they dont even know.

my mom LOVES Pheobe now :D

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

:P My parents actually think I have 2 snakes....I have 6..

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I loled a few times at this. :D

Most of my friends and family love the snakes! Every once in a while I'll tell someone that kind of gives me that 'your crazy!' face.

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Originally Posted by David802

Thats actually very interesting. I dont believe in religion myself, but I've always thought it was interesting to hear about what others believe.

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I am as far removed from religion as one can get, however I do find it interesting to study why people do the things they do, and usually it stems back to why they believe the things they believe.

My mom cannot understand why I have ball pythons. She constantly asks me what I'll do when they escape and strangle my kids.

I patiently explain to her that balls pythons stay small, are very docile, and the odds of one strangling you are about as long as winning the Powerball Lottery.

She asked me once why I liked them so much, since I talk about them like they are my kids. I told her the truth, they are ideal pets. They are small, don't make noise, aren't messy, are pretty much hypo-allergenic, and best of all, are great stress reducers. She was kind of impressed, I don't think she had thought about all that.

Gale

Plus how many pets do you hear of that you can feed once a week and still be perfectly
healthy. lol :D

my mom HATED SNAKES!! but i got a corn snake and she was like awe it has nice colors then i got my ball python pastel and she said wow those colors are so amazing haha a few months later shes petting them next step is holding XD

I own a pitbull & a python. I get lots of dirty looks just walking my dog down the street, I take this opportunity to educate people. My dog is extremely well trained & socialized, I want her to change the public's mind about these animals. People are sheep..they hear stories on the news & they never consider the real problem..THE OWNER! Responsibly owned pets, whether exotic or otherwise, are rarely causing chaos or mauling children. When people ask why my dog is muzzled, I explain that the city's lack of education on 'dangerous dogs' has led to passing a law that targets the wrong citizens..responsible owners! My 80lb lapdog is more well behaved than most little yappy dogs, but the majority of people hear 'pitbull' and think 'baby killer'. Milkshake & I have changed LOTS of minds about the breed..and I'm always happy to answer questions about my dog or my balls.