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My dad is just scared of my snakes but he never, not even once said/asked something like "why?" or "that is dangerous" or "that's disgusting I wont come over anymore" and now after years he is starting to show more interest in my animals and he likes seeing them (also in zoo's or on tv) but he wont come close enough to touch them yet but we'll get there :)

My mom and sisters are a completely different story they like my snakes when they come over they always ask me if they can see them and my youngest sister has a love for my Lesser Pastel female (guess she really is like me, haha) not because she is the prettiest one but just the overall being of the snake she is inquisitive, very relaxed and she would make a great animal for educational purposes.

my mom doesn't mind holding them either, better yet I used to have a 17 feet Reticulated python and she and my youngest sister have held it.

the rest of the family doesnt know i have snakes or just never really say anything about it.

My co workers though.... some of them found out/heard me talk about it and most of them are, ugh gross and you know all the negative things people say and think that aren't true I have tried to convince them they are wrong but I just gave up on that and told them if they wanted to be that ignorant just go ahead.

Don't ever let someone else's ignorance dull your passion for the reptiles, NEVER!

I'm glad at least some have families that have an actual interest in their hobby. Best I usually get from everyone I know is polite interest, meaning they'd never discuss it otherwise. I don't even have one local friend who is at all really into reptiles. I do at least have a few friends that I see at the local expo every month. But more on topic, the most common response I get is usually along the lines of "OMG, you keep them in your house?" Or the goofy media based bs thing like them getting huge and trying to eat you. I've found that most people associate the simple word "python" with giant man eater. It was actually a little bit hard to explain to some people that most of my snakes won't ever reach even 6 feet.
But whenever I meet someone new, I don't bring it up usually, I never tell how many I really have, and I make every effort to educate when I can. Most just don't seem to want to hear it though.

I have yet to own a snake (hopefully will by the 25th!), but just the reactions I've been getting from expressing a genuine interest have been perplexing but interesting. I have some friends who will never hold it and are pretty grossed out, but are happy that I've found something that I will enjoy for a long time. One friend was so excited, she's coming to a show with me in Richmond when I get my bp.

My mother, on the other hand, has suggested that I go to my therapist and talk about it, because I have become "obsessed" and she doesn't understand why I think I need one. The fact that she is pulling my mental health into question has me bristling, and obsession in this case is wanting to make sure I am thoroughly educated/prepared for my bp.

My grandmother has gone so far to say that it is inconsiderate to own a snake and bring into the house when she doesn't like them. Nevermind that she will probably never see it, as it will be in my room, which is where I hang out. She gets the sourest expression whenever I even mention it, and I don't think I'll make a convert of her.

Lots of people have questioned my sanity, and I am anticipating plenty more doubts when I start posting pictures and gushing about mah snek. Hats off to long time owners who have had to deal with this for years! I am a recent convert, so I'm hoping that I can help other people understand how chill snakes can be, and aren't the terrors they're portrayed as.

We live in a very small town. I am on friendly terms with most, but I really only have one friend I have anything in common with. I met her because she owns the local bead store. We are both rock hounds and love crystals. Sadly, snakes is not on the list of shared interests. She looked rather taken aback when I mentioned I wanted to get one.

I can't explain it to her unless she is willing to look at a few web sites. There is a video out there an Australian guy shot of a long wild carpet python crossing his yard. Nine feet (?), or so of fluid sine wave traversing the grass. Is anything more graceful?

Haven't really had much of an issue myself. When I mention it, most people nod and move along in the conversation. Some are interested, or mystified but not judgmental, just more curious. These are often my "Why would you want to own snakes?" questions.

I get a few "I hate snakes!" which I usually ignore. IF the person decides to be obnoxious and start posting comments on my FB or won't shut up about it in person, I usually respond with something along the lines of "I hate babies, but I don't act like an jerkface to you about your spawn." which normally shuts them up.

I've found that saying "I love ALL animals, why should snakes be any different?" is pretty good at showing people that a snake is just another animal.

But I will say, when I lived in someone else's house, I abided by their wishes. If my parents had said "No snakes" then I would be disappointed but I wouldn't have tried to force the issue. I would still be interested and make plans for when I had my own place, but I wouldn't have brought one in. Now it's MY home and I do what I want to do. If the rare person says "I don't want to ever come to your home!" because of the snakes(or the lizards, or dogs, or rats...) then I shrug and say "I don't recall inviting you."

Owning reptiles is 1 thing... When I try to explain to people that I work for The Reptile Report it usually takes people off guard. It's amazing how many people have no idea that there is even a culture of people who enjoy reptiles.

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

Haven't really had much of an issue myself. When I mention it, most people nod and move along in the conversation. Some are interested, or mystified but not judgmental, just more curious. These are often my "Why would you want to own snakes?" questions.

I get a few "I hate snakes!" which I usually ignore. IF the person decides to be obnoxious and start posting comments on my FB or won't shut up about it in person, I usually respond with something along the lines of "I hate babies, but I don't act like an jerkface to you about your spawn." which normally shuts them up.

I've found that saying "I love ALL animals, why should snakes be any different?" is pretty good at showing people that a snake is just another animal.

But I will say, when I lived in someone else's house, I abided by their wishes. If my parents had said "No snakes" then I would be disappointed but I wouldn't have tried to force the issue. I would still be interested and make plans for when I had my own place, but I wouldn't have brought one in. Now it's MY home and I do what I want to do. If the rare person says "I don't want to ever come to your home!" because of the snakes(or the lizards, or dogs, or rats...) then I shrug and say "I don't recall inviting you."

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You make a lot of good points, especially about living in someone else's house. My grandma is just particularly crotchety and mean, which doesn't help matters. I'm moving out in a month to go back to school, which is probably why I didn't think of it that way. Hmm. In any case, nothing will happen until the 25th, then I can actually fight the good fight.

I really love the "ALL animals" bit. I might have to borrow that one c:

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Originally Posted by distaff

We live in a very small town. I am on friendly terms with most, but I really only have one friend I have anything in common with. I met her because she owns the local bead store. We are both rock hounds and love crystals. Sadly, snakes is not on the list of shared interests. She looked rather taken aback when I mentioned I wanted to get one.

I can't explain it to her unless she is willing to look at a few web sites. There is a video out there an Australian guy shot of a long wild carpet python crossing his yard. Nine feet (?), or so of fluid sine wave traversing the grass. Is anything more graceful?

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Gotcha on the sine wave. Definitely cool to see.

I might have posted this earlier, so Im sorry if I already did. My friends and family have NEVER even begun to appreciate the different reptiles that I have had. I consistently got negative responses any time that they were brought up. Once I started breeding and selling snakes, I had a few cousins become interested in the financial aspects of it. I had a family member surprise show up at my table during our local reptile expo. I was in the middle of completing a sale on a 600$ animal, and my customer was counting out the cash in $20s in front of my cousin. My cousin's jaw dropped completely to the floor, and his next words were, "how do I get into this?" I replied, "get some snakes and figure it out."

Now my family just sees my boas as cash machines. Obviously I don't see them that way, but they gained at least some respect in my social circle.

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Originally Posted by JoshSloane

Now my family just sees my boas as cash machines. Obviously I don't see them that way, but they gained at least some respect in my social circle.

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That's sad. Of course, they're only seeing the income, not the expenses and time put into it.