I have 10 snakes, you have WHAT? (peoples reactions!)

"What are you going to do with it when its gets 15 feet long."
"OH my gosh, OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH...........
" Your mom must be some luantic"
And the best is when they starts swearing in polish...:rofl:

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Originally Posted by Mike@OutbackReptiles

No, my snakes are not "poisonous"

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HAHAHAHA! I love responding to the "poisonous" comments with, "It's venomous, not poisonous. If you ingest the snake, you're not gonna die." :D

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Originally Posted by Eventide

I've had all kinds of reactions, and while most of them are negative, the positive responses make it all worthwhile.

Most people are disgusted by one snake, let alone many. Sadly, I get the same stereotypical questions from both ignorant people and intelligent people:

"Do they bite?"
"Aren't they poisonous?"
"Isn't it illegal to have those?"
"Aren't you afraid they'll get out in the middle of the night and strangle you in your sleep?"
"Don't they get huge?"
"Wait, they don't have fangs?" or "I thought they had huge fangs!"
"Why don't you have normal pets?"
"What's wrong with a cat or dog?"
"People shouldn't be allowed to have dangerous/exotic pets like that...."

And ever since the two-year-old's death in Florida by a Burm, almost everyone brings it up when I mention snakes. Then I get to try to patiently explain why that was an unusual case, that the owner was negligent and violating the law, that Burms aren't baby-killers by nature, etc.

However, the good reactions (or at least, open-minded reactions) are totally worth it. I've had several friends, family members, and friends' family members who weren't sure they wanted to be in the same room with a snake get to the point where they'll at least touch them, and most get to the point where they'll handle them without a problem. I even have one friend who was nervous around them at first, but now she prefers to hold a snake rather than a lizard!

The best story, though, was when I was picking up my Axanthic/het pair at a FedEx Office. One of the ladies was ringing me up and the other brought my box over. Before she got to the counter, one asked if the shipment was frozen rodents. When I said it was two snakes, the person holding the box froze. The second lady said, "Maybe I should take that...." Neither liked snakes, but they were curious and wanted to see them. So I showed them the pair, and they were impressed at how gentle, friendly, and kind of cute they were. They always like to see the snakes when I get a new one, now, and the last time I went there to pick up a rodent order, one of the ladies says she'd like to get one as a pet!!!

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I've had most of those questions asked minimum of 15 times probably, you will always find those people who are willing to listen to your explaination about the burms in flordia and others who refuse and continue to believe that snakes make a better pair of boots than a pet. I still live at home, due to paying off medical bills I can't afford my own apartment rightnow. My mom used to not like snakes at all, but she got to the point where she thought they were pretty and will hold the smaller of the ball pythons that I have. She doesn't like them, but will hold one from time to time.

I love picking them up at fedex, or having them delivered and the people at the counter or the man delivering it himself asks whats in the box and then later regrets asking. Amusing.

A lot of people are really surprised when they find out that I keep lots of snakes, and often they tell me that I just seem too "prim and proper" to be a snake keeper. I never thought to ask them how they envision a typical snake keeper to be. Of course there are the occasional people who get judgemental on me and announce that they won't be coming to my house any time soon.... which is just fine, since I probably did not invite them!

My biggest girl, who is 7ft if not maybe longer. I get

"What do you do with a snake that big? There is no point in having it"

Me: "She watchs tv with me" :D

I know that you guys are kind of partial to snakes, but I do love the responses I get from people (I have a blue Nile Monitor). When I walk into pet stores with her, people go " Oh my god, what is that? It looks like a raptor off of Jurassic Park!" and I just go "Yeah, she is part security at home."

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Originally Posted by bsash

I know that you guys are kind of partial to snakes, but I do love the responses I get from people (I have a blue Nile Monitor). When I walk into pet stores with her, people go " Oh my god, what is that? It looks like a raptor off of Jurassic Park!" and I just go "Yeah, she is part security at home."

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Of course, people who have the bigger lizards usually do get the same reaction. Those nile monitors are so neat looking!

Yeah, I do love my Nile monitor. He/she started off the typical black and yellow that they usually are, but has recently turned blue on the sides, and the yellow bands down his/her back is now a teal/ green color. Apparently when this happen it is call a "Blue Ornate Nile Monitor" but I find that too long to type all the time so I just say either "ornate" or "blue".

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Originally Posted by shescountry89

I love it too when I am told I have a zoo at home, I never discuss with a person exactly what KIND of snakes I have but just the amount. No one would break into my house with a 160lb Rottweiler Guarding my front door either, haha. These reactions are hilarious, and I do understand that snakes are one of the top phobias on the list but even if they are you shouldn't bash them in front of a person you know has a passion and love for them. That just irritates me, I had a woman a couple weeks ago tell me she'd make purses, boots and what not out of them.

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When I got my ball python my sister was like when does it shed I could use a pair of new shoes. LOL! I found it quite hilarious. Then i followed with, "well you would have to kill him and if you kill him i kill you and will haunt you in your dreams" She wasnt impressed... Now she wont come near him! :rofl:

The only funny story is have is from taking my snake to the petstore when I first got it from an Expo. I wanted to show one of my buddies I became friends with that helped me with my fish tank and gave me advice on BPs. As i was walking through the front door, a girl and her boyfriend were walking out of the store walking their dog. As soon as she saw the snake in my hand she covered her face and ran sideways to be about 5 feet away from me and her boyfriend just chuckled. :rofl: