Why snakes?

When they saw Ellis, my new BP, my friends asked what tricks he could do. Apparently to them, pets are only worthy insofar as they can perform for us.

My girlfriend's father recently suggested we purchase an African Grey Parrot, because of their intelligence. This implies that the value of a pet is somehow dependent upon how smart it is.

What is wrong with these people? Or, to put it in a nicer way, I am shocked at what a different sense these people have of what pets are.

I appreciate Ellis just for being a snake, and that is enough for me.

As we are all reptile owners/enthusiasts here, I just wanted to share these thoughts, and hear what others have to say on this topic of why we have pets and what they mean to us. I am also curious about how people who have mammalian pets as well balance the so-called "rewarding" relationship afforded by more "intelligent" animals with the keeper/caretaker role they share with their reptilian buddies. :)

I believe it all depends on the person, and no one person's idea of "pet" is better or worse than any others. Some people get a lot of enjoyment out of watching animals learn and interact. Some people get emotional satisfaction from the bond they can develope with cetain animals. Some people find their fulfillment in providing the best possible care for any animal, no matter what it is. Some people want pets for no other reason than they are interesting to look at...like fish.

I don't think there's anything wrong with desiring an animal because it is intelligent. Nor do I think there's something "wrong" with someone because they can't understand or relate to my enjoyment of snakes. I personally don't get why some people like to keep tarantulas or scorpions or bugs. Doesn't mean there's anything wrong with them or with me. :)

I keep reptiles because for some unknown reason to me they fascinate me. They're amazing to hold, amazing to keep, and amazing to look at. Ball pythons are so exotic looking to me. They're so smooth and easy going, gentle as heck. I remember when I started getting into snakes all I wanted was a ball python. Their patterns were so wild and awsome looking. I was originally into snakes, colubrids was what was available, but pythons were what I craved :) I guess their thickness and strength, their easiness. I can't explain it any better. I see a python and want to hold it, wanna buy it, wanna care for it. Who knows, I feel the same way about kittens. But kittens turn into cats, which learn to hate you.

Somehow it turned into a love for geckos, then somewhat into lizards.

Is there any explaination out there?

well, who said a snake cant b loyal like a dog?

Snakes are true to thine own selves - part of the appeal for me. I think most people are just fascinated by their sheer leglessness (evolutionary remnants not withstanding :P) and their locomotion - it boggles us but they move with sheer confidence in ways that make us wonder how they coordinate all that muscle into purpose. And damn can they be eating machines!

What Smulkin said, plus snakes are just as snakey wherever they are, unlike animals that are domesticated. Horses, cats, dogs, pigs, sheep, any number of animals are different in the wild but a snake never stops being snakey.

Hmmm , I concider my dog (a beagle by the way,king of all beasts :P ) my pet. My Snakes are sorta different I concider them animals I enjoy keeping and observing, my dog I play with my snakes I work with. My dog misses me when Im not home , my snakes tolerate me to enjoy them. Its a totaly different relationship with snakes that is so cool, it ramps up into an addiction. True some animals are very inteligent and can learn all sorts of commands and tricks, but snakes have a raw essence,and at times a commanding presence that makes me admire them. There habits are unique, their perseption of the world what little we can glean from observing them is very pure. And the gifts they are endowed with are amazing, speed, power, agility, and tons of patience for some things, while having no patience for other things LOL. Who could not at the very least be interested in learning something about them, and something from them.

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Originally Posted by JLC

I don't think there's anything wrong with desiring an animal because it is intelligent. Nor do I think there's something "wrong" with someone because they can't understand or relate to my enjoyment of snakes. I personally don't get why some people like to keep tarantulas or scorpions or bugs. Doesn't mean there's anything wrong with them or with me. :)

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I agree with you all the way!

my sig explains why i like them. i think people who like dogs and cats are looking for an easy reward they feed the dog it greets them wags its tale and plays with you when your in the mood there is nothing wrong with this. In there eyes snakes are all work and no play. Are play is just fascination and if they don't understand this i ignore them.

I like keeping snakes because they are different , exotic, and I, like the Godfather have always wanted a Python ever since reading the Junglebook as a wee child. Plus it has the "shock" value to people when they see or hear you keep snakes especially if female.
It is taking a walk on the "wild side" so to speak