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Plain Stupidity
I dislike how people say dumb things about snakes.
My cousin and I were talking about my snake today and I asked why she was scared of snakes and she said theyre poisonous for one. I tried to explain to her not all snakes are poisonous but she kept insisting and I wanted to punch her lolz yes violence dont solve anything.
Than this little boy seen my snake the other day and asked what it ate and Im like wow kid, youre like ten, watch some animal planet and he kept insisting for me to put it on the floor and let it go under the couch to scare his mom..umm weird, Im not guna let some lady g stomp my baby.
Oh and my cousins wife told me to get the snake away from her because they bite. I know everything that has a mouth could bite but Ive never had a bad experience with my snakes biting just for the hell of it.
Today my auntie told me she had mice and to let my snake loose in her kitchen, oooh no. I am not stupid and that sounds stupid.
My moms husband jumps and runs away when the snakes by him and I ask him why you scared of it? He said he aint scared he just dont like them. Thats clearly not a reason why youd run but okay but dont it offend you when people make stupid remarks about your snake or ask dumb things? Ugh I hate it already. I protect it like its my kid haha I know, ridicolous but what has someone done that bugged you about your snake if I can make it any clearer?
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Re: Plain Stupidity
A lot of people are ignorant about snakes, but I know I'm pretty ignorant of a lot of other things, so I guess I just take it with a grain of salt. A lot of people I run across are afraid of them as well, so I just avoid the topic around them. Snakes have a bad enough rep without me pushing them on people who just plain don't like them!
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Re: Plain Stupidity
Quote:
Originally Posted by Diamond_1028
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My cousin and I were talking about my snake today and I asked why she was scared of snakes and she said theyre poisonous for one.
This is one of my pet peeves.
NO snakes are poisonous. ZERO.
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Re: Plain Stupidity
lol...its called venemous!! When I hear things I just take it as a chance to educate ppl. I work at a school so I hear it ALL. 99% of the kids think its cool...most of the adults are on the fence but at least they listen to reason. I never try to push it on anyone.
I am actually having a reptile expo for all of 2nd and 3rd grades at my school. I have hired a company to come in to bring in tons of different reptiles. We will do a half an hour of education and a half an hour of interaction. I am actually doing research on all of the different reptiles and creating a powerpoint presentation. Egads...I am giving the presentation...lol But I am very very excited to educate children and their parents (if they choose to come) about reptiles. If I had more money to pay for the company....I would do it for all of the grades. But I have a child in third grade and then I am an aide for second.....soooo...that is all that I can do at this time.
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Re: Plain Stupidity
Why do people think snakes are slimey? SLIMEY!!! I keep responding with suede-y no slime mucus or other slippery stuff just smooth and soft. I'll offer my guy to touch if they would like, sometimes they will sometimes they won't, their loss.
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Re: Plain Stupidity
Quote:
Originally Posted by BPelizabeth
lol...its called venemous!! When I hear things I just take it as a chance to educate ppl. I work at a school so I hear it ALL. 99% of the kids think its cool...most of the adults are on the fence but at least they listen to reason. I never try to push it on anyone.
I am actually having a reptile expo for all of 2nd and 3rd grades at my school. I have hired a company to come in to bring in tons of different reptiles. We will do a half an hour of education and a half an hour of interaction. I am actually doing research on all of the different reptiles and creating a powerpoint presentation. Egads...I am giving the presentation...lol But I am very very excited to educate children and their parents (if they choose to come) about reptiles. If I had more money to pay for the company....I would do it for all of the grades. But I have a child in third grade and then I am an aide for second.....soooo...that is all that I can do at this time.
Dude, that sounds awesome! I remember doing something very similair in elementary school. It is one of the few things from primary that I actually remember!
I would really love to use my animals for educational purposes but I don't know how I would go about setting up something like that :/ blegh
To the OP: When I meet people who are afraid of snakes, I do my best to keep the snake away from them. I usually do ask why they are afraid and sometimes they are afraid because of false stories that they have heard. It actually gives them comfort to know that their fears are based upon something that is entirely untrue and they usually then feel comfortable enough to look at or even touch the snake.
That being said, you should respect peoples wishes when it comes to phobias. Give snakes a good name by respecting those who don't fancy them to much!
Quote:
Why do people think snakes are slimey? SLIMEY!!! I keep responding with suede-y no slime mucus or other slippery stuff just smooth and soft. I'll offer my guy to touch if they would like, sometimes they will sometimes they won't, their loss.
I get this all to often. I simply offer a snake for them to feel and 9 times out of 10 they are completely surprised by how soft their skin is. Then they usually take the snake from me and hold it for a few hours :giggle: Its pretty amazing that something as simple as skin texture can make people un-easy.
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Re: Plain Stupidity
Don't worry, I feel you, it's very frustrating, and it doesn't make us feel good when people are disgusted or fearful of something we love. That why I use my animals for education. I have the firm belief that A fear of snakes is a sociological construct. I very rarely ever meet kids who are afraid of them. If the kids have a chance to interact with them hands-on, and learn to put aside some of the worse myths, then there's a much greater chance that they won't grow to fear them in adulthood. I've turned many an adult as well. ;) There's nothing more rewarding than that, even though I admit I do get a little peeved about constantly answering the question about if they're 'poisonous'.
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Re: Plain Stupidity
Quote:
Originally Posted by zantedeschia
This is one of my pet peeves.
NO snakes are poisonous. ZERO.
Mine as well. No matter how many times I explain this to people they still refer to them as Poisonous.
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Re: Plain Stupidity
I have to say that up untill about 10yrs ago I didn't like any reptile at all. I didn't mind them but there was no way that I was going to touch one. Then my g/f at the time (now wife) decided she wanted a snake for her b-day so I HAD to get used to it and now I love them. Point is most people are scared of things that they don't understand. Everytime I bring up my snakes in front of my mom she asks "aren't you afraid one is going to get out and get the baby" I just laugh at her and let her know that my cat has more of a chance of hurting the baby then any of my snakes.
Some people will get over their fear with a little education and some people never will
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Re: Plain Stupidity
Thanks Kaorte.....I am so excited!!!! I work at the school and often refer to my snakes in teaching. (Im not a teacher just an aide but I do teach them a few things) It just gets the kids attention. ;) So it was easy for me to ask to do this and I had all of the teachers support. I am bringing in a company and all together we should be showing over 40 animals. OMG...I am so excited. I am sure I will probably be doing this each year as my son goes into another grade.
I also thought of a really cool thing to do as well. You can talk to science teachers and when they are doing their genetics training you can do something with your balls. This is an amazing way to teach kids about genetics.
I have had a friend approach me in regards to starting a company that does travels around and does expos for schools. I think it would be such a cool idea...but I don't have the reptiles myself to do this....and my hubby would kill me if I started a zoo at the house....lol
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Re: Plain Stupidity
Quote:
Originally Posted by TJ'sHerps
Mine as well. No matter how many times I explain this to people they still refer to them as Poisonous.
Some snake venom is poisonous, so I DO think that is a valid understanding. It’s a matter of semantics to say that the animal itself is not poisonous but their venom is. That understanding doesn’t bother me a bit. Some snake venom IS deadly; Again, another opportunity to educate. ‘Teachable moment’ if you will.
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Re: Plain Stupidity
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chocolate Muffin's
Some snake venom is poisonous, so I DO think that is a valid understanding. It’s a matter of semantics to say that the animal itself is not poisonous but their venom is. That understanding doesn’t bother me a bit. Some snake venom IS deadly; Again, another opportunity to educate. ‘Teachable moment’ if you will.
You bite poison. Venom bites you. I think you are misunderstanding the literal meaning of the words. To call it poisonous, you'd have to go suck down a vial of venom... and that's hardly possible in any natural situation.
To the OP... there's no need to get angry with people's ignorance about snakes. It's not common knowledge, many people don't know squat. Working at a reptile store, I pretty much answer these "stupid" questions all day long. I even hear people who own reptiles saying ridiculous things. "I got a 38 foot Egyptian python back home!" Just smile and Nod and go along your business. If it's someone close to you, take the opportunity to teach. No need to get worked up over it.
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Re: Plain Stupidity
It greatly pisses me off when I've heard enough. It just tells me how people don't even bother to do their research and believe stupid rumors. I've gotten a few people to get out of being scared of snakes, which I feel accomplished about. One of my friends would stay 10 feet away from me. She now handles my largest snake in my collection (which isn't that big, but still quite a surprise).
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Re: Plain Stupidity
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chocolate Muffin's
Some snake venom is poisonous, so I DO think that is a valid understanding. It’s a matter of semantics to say that the animal itself is not poisonous but their venom is. That understanding doesn’t bother me a bit. Some snake venom IS deadly; Again, another opportunity to educate. ‘Teachable moment’ if you will.
Venom (which is highly toxic) comes from animals whether it be from getting bitten or stung.
Poison (which is also highly toxic) only affects you if you drink or inject it.
It is close to the same thing, but venom is natural and comes from animals rather than poison which has to be self injected or drunk.
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Re: Plain Stupidity
Quote:
Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany
Venom (which is highly toxic) comes from animals whether it be from getting bitten or stung.
Poison (which is also highly toxic) only affects you if you drink or inject it.
It is close to the same thing, but venom is natural and comes from animals rather than poison which has to be self injected or drunk.
Poison is natural and comes from plants/animals too. Cane Toads for example, are quite poisonous. Or poison dart frogs... or mushrooms. You get the idea. :P
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Re: Plain Stupidity
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hulihzack
Poison is natural and comes from plants/animals too. Cane Toads for example, are quite poisonous. Or poison dart frogs... or mushrooms. You get the idea. :P
Well I did know that but I'm saying venom can be injected from getting bitten or stung.:D
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Re: Plain Stupidity
Like was said above - poison is INGESTED (poison dart frogs secrete a poison on their skin so that when predators ingest them, they get sick, and will avoid them in the future) and venom is INJECTED.
What's interesting about poison dart frogs is that their poison is from their diet in their natural habitat. Those kept in captivity fed on fruit flies are not poisonous.
So, there are no poisonous snakes, but there are venomous snakes.
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Re: Plain Stupidity
I've brought my snakes to my cousin's kindergarten class three times now (along with a few of my salamander, frogs, and lizards) and while there were four kids who refused to come near them the first time, all of them have now at least touched them, and I've done the same for my older cousins as well. I love helping kids learn new things about animals and get rid of their inherited fear (I've actually gotten a call from a "concerned parent"). My friend was also terrified of snakes when I got my first BP, but now I can't get them away from her :D
It's just ignorance, and while there will always be some who refuse to see otherwise, we should work on helping people understand these animals with patience. :)
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Re: Plain Stupidity
Quote:
Originally Posted by rabernet
Like was said above - poison is INGESTED (poison dart frogs secrete a poison on their skin so that when predators ingest them, they get sick, and will avoid them in the future)
I was watching this show on Discovery last night and it was something about how fast these dangerous animals can kill (native to Brazil). Poison Dart Frogs were one of them, and it was talking about how they have an invisible layer of poison on their backs and how fast this poison can kill once it's in the body. The show was quite interesting, it also had some stuff on the Brazilian Wandering Spider, Brazilian Yellow Scorpion, the Bushmaster, Africanized Killer Bees, and an Anaconda.
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Re: Plain Stupidity
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hulihzack
Poison is natural and comes from plants/animals too. Cane Toads for example, are quite poisonous. Or poison dart frogs... or mushrooms. You get the idea. :P
Thank you - Now it’s that it’s been clarified, I still understand that people who are not well versed in this, could believe that an particular animal was ‘poisonous.’ In addition, there are many articles that are written that use these terms interchangeably so, I don’t hold it against people who make educated misunderstandings. I’m learning to try and understand and respect the disconnect people have with snakes; I don’t get angry with them although they can and do say some really silly things.
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Re: Plain Stupidity
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hulihzack
You bite poison. Venom bites you. I think you are misunderstanding the literal meaning of the words. To call it poisonous, you'd have to go suck down a vial of venom... and that's hardly possible in any natural situation.
To the OP... there's no need to get angry with people's ignorance about snakes. It's not common knowledge, many people don't know squat. Working at a reptile store, I pretty much answer these "stupid" questions all day long. I even hear people who own reptiles saying ridiculous things. "I got a 38 foot Egyptian python back home!" Just smile and Nod and go along your business. If it's someone close to you, take the opportunity to teach. No need to get worked up over it.
poi·son·ous (poi'zə-nəs) adj.
[Capable of harming or killing by or as if by poison; toxic or venomous.]
ven⋅om⋅ous [ven-uh-muhs] –adjective
1. (of an animal) having a gland or glands for secreting venom; able to inflict a poisoned bite, sting, or wound: a venomous snake
I agree with your statemet, but this is one definition straight from the dictionary. I'm just saying that I understand why people interchange these terms. Today is the first time I learned that they had such specific meanings.
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Re: Plain Stupidity
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chocolate Muffin's
Some snake venom is poisonous, so I DO think that is a valid understanding. It’s a matter of semantics to say that the animal itself is not poisonous but their venom is.
It's not a matter of semantics.
Poison is ingested.
Venom is injected. There's a difference.
Therefore venom is not poisonous, it's venomous. I mean yes if you swallow it, it's poisonous, but that's not how it usually gets in one's system.
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Re: Plain Stupidity
Quote:
Originally Posted by Diamond_1028
Today my auntie told me she had mice and to let my snake loose in her kitchen, oooh no. I am not stupid and that sounds stupid.
Tell her to get a cat. Or borrow her neighbor's cat. :D ;)
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Re: Plain Stupidity
You guys are being too anal about the poison and venom thing... yes it is 2 different names in English, but what about other languages? In spanish Venom and Poison translate to the same thing Veneno.... Is not a big deal.
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Re: Plain Stupidity
In honesty, this stems from the same lack of a certain thing just like in the pit bull situation: education.
That, and ignorance. There will always be that breed of people who, once they have decided upon something, they are right. End of story.
Not to change the subject (although it is based on similar perspectives), but I had an infuriating encounter when I took my pit bull to the pet store. Granted, yes, he is a powerful dog, yes, he does have tons of energy and can come off as aggressive when all he wants to do is meet another dog. He was never socialized, so he does not have very good manners, but by NO means, at ALL, is he aggressive, human and dog alike.
Either way, an elderly lady walked by and literally took a step back, as if she had been bitten. I instinctively smiled and said, "Don't worry, he's friendly." She merely stuck her chin up and said "Yeah, that's what they all say." while walking away.
I couldn't keep back my response: "Yeah, well then maybe you should do some research, lady."
I've bombarded my family with the facts, and they still won't change. But, back to the snakes. When I was contemplating getting a BP, my boyfriend's father said: "But aren't they all poisonous?" So, I got the double deal there. Sigh. :rolleyes:
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Re: Plain Stupidity
"Snakes are evil" obviously this is true because it was a snake that tempted Adam and Eve... Evil is the sodding hampster that clamped down on my finger at 6 am this morning while I was trying to administer Baytil.
"Snakes are slimey" Your opinion would be valued if I thought that you had actually ever touched a snake....
These are the two that I hear the most (thanks grandma) and really irk me. Not because someone dislikes my animal, but because they show a general disregard for knowledge. I had a lady tell me one time that PetSmart would burn in hell for selling snakes. I was working there at the time so I bit my tongue but really, that is plain ignorant.
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