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I don’t look like a snake owner?
I was in the waiting room for my sons hearing exam on Monday when I over heard a man telling his daughter that they were picking up a rat on the way home for Beauregard’s dinner. I perked up and first thought “where did they find rats out here?” I asked if they had a snake and was told that they had a Taiwanese Beauty Snake. I told them that I really thought they were stunning and that I hoped to add one to my snakes someday.
He responded with and incredulous “you don’t look like you own snakes.”
:confused:
I blinked once or twice and before I could ask "why?" he asked if I had a Corn Snake.
:weirdface
This has been on my mind since then...
I'm not sure if this has been discussed before but my question(s) to you are: what should a snake owner look like and where does this concept come from?! What is the actuality of snake owners?
And I have no problem with Corn Snakes. So many colors! But not my cup of tea....so why ask if thats what I had? I'm a 29 year old mom of a three year old boy- does that automatically read as Corn Snakes?
Never did get to tell him I have Ts too:rolleyes:
:snake::snake::snake::snake::snake::snake::snake::snake::snake:
Note: I kept trying to write Corn Snacks instead of Corn Snakes!
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I'm only guessing cause you are a girl, and the whole girls hate snakes eewwwwww it's slimey concept. I wouldn't let it eat you up though. There is no ideal look, but maybe he thinks guys with tats and rough looking. Nice collection though judging by your sig. :-D
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The girls hate snakes concept is will be around for a couple more generations I believe. But hopefully it will fade away eventually.
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
Quote:
Originally Posted by 4Ballz
I'm only guessing cause you are a girl, and the whole girls hate snakes eewwwwww it's slimey concept. I wouldn't let it eat you up though. There is no ideal look, but maybe he thinks guys with tats and rough looking. Nice collection though judging by your sig. :-D
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cameron Lamb Exotics
The girls hate snakes concept is will be around for a couple more generations I believe. But hopefully it will fade away eventually.
He was sharing with his daughter though...
I'm not sure why but I'm going to blame animal planet. They seem to think all snake owners are crazy, irresponsible, hoarders!
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im always told i dont seem like a person who would keep snakes because im a girl :rolleyes:
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wicked Constrictors
im always told i dont seem like a person who would keep snakes because im a girl :rolleyes:
Should we have chinchillas or something?
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cendalla
Should we have chinchillas or something?
lol i guess but i like my snakes more then chinchillas
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wicked Constrictors
lol i guess but i like my snakes more then chinchillas
Yeah they are evil and bite. My snakes are not and don't!:P
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lmao! that's funny. I guess people tend to associate snakes with tattoos and piercings, heavy metal, long haired men or bearded bald guys. I suppose I just described myself...
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We hear the stories on here about spouses/family/etc scolding members or people we know for having snakes with small children. Even though it's totally nonsensical, maybe he was thinking it was weird for a mom to be ok/have snakes with smaller kids?
Doesn't make any sense to me either way. There are -so- many different kinds of snake keepers that it's not accurate anymore to say it's only fringe society members or whatever. Used to be unusual to have pet snakes, but it seems to be growing fast. People might still be getting used to the idea it's not all that uncommon anymore (and we want to encourage others as well :D )
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
Quote:
Originally Posted by decensored
lmao! that's funny. I guess people tend to associate snakes with tattoos and piercings, heavy metal, long haired men or bearded bald guys. I suppose I just described myself...
:P Or me. Just - with short pixy hair.
Nobody seems surprised when they find out I have reptiles. They're more surprised by the rats and cats I think...:P
I think it just has to do with how they perceive snake owners to look. I'm guessing that they probably don't go on herp forums or anything, so they may not know the very wide variety of people that do own reptiles. They probably (subconsciously, I'm not saying they do it on purpose) just assume that people like them are who own snakes. Not sure though.
Also - I think I might name a snake Beauregard. That's a pretty epic name.
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Valentine Pirate
We hear the stories on here about spouses/family/etc scolding members or people we know for having snakes with small children. Even though it's totally nonsensical, maybe he was thinking it was weird for a mom to be ok/have snakes with smaller kids?
Doesn't make any sense to me either way. There are -so- many different kinds of snake keepers that it's not accurate anymore to say it's only fringe society members or whatever. Used to be unusual to have pet snakes, but it seems to be growing fast. People might still be getting used to the idea it's not all that uncommon anymore (and we want to encourage others as well :D )
My mom doesn't like snakes but doesn't have a problem with me having them. My In-laws don't really get the whole having animals that are counted as family member thing. I don't see how snakes could possibly be more dangerous than my horses.
I really think that everyone seems to view snake owners as irresponsible teenagers with bad hygiene and black clothing. BP.net has tons of awesome teens that are great pet owners. I'm convinced the bad rep comes from TV!
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
Quote:
Originally Posted by decensored
lmao! that's funny. I guess people tend to associate snakes with tattoos and piercings, heavy metal, long haired men or bearded bald guys. I suppose I just described myself...
I admit to LOVING heavy metal, symphonic metal, neoclassical metal, black... Yeah Meatal:)
Can't pull off a beard though...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xotik
I think it just has to do with how they perceive snake owners to look. I'm guessing that they probably don't go on herp forums or anything, so they may not know the very wide variety of people that do own reptiles. They probably (subconsciously, I'm not saying they do it on purpose) just assume that people like them are who own snakes. Not sure though.
Also - I think I might name a snake Beauregard. That's a pretty epic name.
I must just look like a boring 'mom.'
When I heard Beauregard I instantly thought Red Tail!
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Because snakes are icky, slimy, and yucky and good girls arent supposed to like them! Its called judging, and everyone does it lol!
I also love heavy metal and tattoos! This means that poodle owners must listen to justin bieber then right?
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
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Originally Posted by Mike41793
Because snakes are icky, slimy, and yucky and good girls arent supposed to like them! Its called judging, and everyone does it lol!
I also love heavy metal and tattoos! This means that poodle owners must listen to justin bieber then right?
They don't!?!
:P
Just kidding. Just kidding.
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If I had to guess, he probably picked corn because you have a little boy. Whenever I'm at the pet store, the little boys always seem to stop and look at the corns. I dunno. Just a guess.
People are strange. I always get odd looks when I mention my snakes. I've heard the "you don't look like someone who would have snakes" comment before too. I feel like I look just like someone who would have snakes. Especially with a BCI on my shoulders. ;)
I just had a surprise inspection from the Association this morning that my landlord knew about but conveniently forgot to inform us...and the 6 big guys in my house thought my cat, hamsters and gecko in the living room to be perfectly acceptable, but were totally taken aback when they opened the snake room door. :P When I explained that I was an Integrative Animal Biology major, it made more sense to them, but until then they seem confused that a 21 year old girl would have four snakes chillin in her apartment. :rolleyes: One of the guys wouldn't even go in the room! It was a smidge pathetic, because all my scale kids are little...haha. I respect those that feel uncomfortable around them though. He never would have been subjected to it if he hadn't come in to inspect. An insurance inspection they said...I hope the reptiles don't effect anything. As I said, people can be very strange about the snakes. :/
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When the world figures out that the majority of snake keepers don't look like this
http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images...jpg?1294251427
But rather look like this
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...s/DSC_0356.jpg
The world will be a better place.
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Freakie_frog
We could flood the net with great pictures like this but people still seem to interpret it the way they want. I see a great kid who is learning the joy of animals. Someone else will see your child in danger from a constrictor. People are just dumb animals more often than not!
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Same here. I don't "look" like a snake owner. But then again, I don't look like I have tattoos and piercings either. :P
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Well I'm all over the place lol. I'm a 29 yr old mom of a 2 yr old boy, a 10 month old girl, I have brown, pink, purple, and blue hair, tattoos and piercings.... But I own a poodle and like country music, and groom foofy dogs for a living. And I'm hoping to breed bps, I love them!
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
Quote:
Originally Posted by moonlightgdess
Well I'm all over the place lol. I'm a 29 yr old mom of a 2 yr old boy, a 10 month old girl, I have brown, pink, purple, and blue hair, tattoos and piercings.... But I own a poodle and like country music, and groom foofy dogs for a living lol.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2
I love it!
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should have been wearing you sanke keeper decoder ring.
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yeah maybe because your a woman and maybe the way you were dressed not saying that other female snake owners dress crazy or something just saying you might of have been dressed with some nice clothes. i would say that any female can own snakes some may look like they dont but you would be surprised what girls own snakes..
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I constantly hear that I don't "look" like a person who owns snakes. There's always that added shock when they hear how many and that I own boas as well, as if they are man-eating monsters that I couldn't handle :rolleyes: I don't understand it either, I always laugh it off or kill them with my knowledge on it ;)
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On the corns discussion, I know a lot of girls here never go past corn snakes and beardies except for the occasional leo. I've had a lot of female snake keepers (all corns) ask me what I'm going to do with Quetzal once he gets to be 8+ft long. I just tell them I'd be impressed if he ever got to that length in the first place.
I think the stereotype is just that girls are supposed to like cute fluffy mammals and boys are supposed to like the big and tough reptiles, so girls get poodles and boys get burms. Kinda like the stereotype that men aren't supposed to have fluffy froofroo little dogs, and girls shouldn't have dobes and mastiffs. So a lot of young female keepers fall into the trap of only staying with beginner reptiles such as corns and beardies and never push past that.
I might not be the best person to ask about gender roles, but when I get my own house instead of an apartment, I'm totally getting some monitors (but first some easier lizards to start me off, of course).
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucas339
should have been wearing you sanke keeper decoder ring.
Bummer...Maybe its still in the cereal box!
Quote:
Originally Posted by LGray23
I constantly hear that I don't "look" like a person who owns snakes. There's always that added shock when they hear how many and that I own boas as well, as if they are man-eating monsters that I couldn't handle :rolleyes: I don't understand it either, I always laugh it off or kill them with my knowledge on it ;)
They hear boa and think violent constricting monster! I say 6 foot they hear 60!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jazi
On the corns discussion, I know a lot of girls here never go past corn snakes and beardies except for the occasional leo. I've had a lot of female snake keepers (all corns) ask me what I'm going to do with Quetzal once he gets to be 8+ft long. I just tell them I'd be impressed if he ever got to that length in the first place.
I think the stereotype is just that girls are supposed to like cute fluffy mammals and boys are supposed to like the big and tough reptiles, so girls get poodles and boys get burms. Kinda like the stereotype that men aren't supposed to have fluffy froofroo little dogs, and girls shouldn't have dobes and mastiffs. So a lot of young female keepers fall into the trap of only staying with beginner reptiles such as corns and beardies and never push past that.
I might not be the best person to ask about gender roles, but when I get my own house instead of an apartment, I'm totally getting some monitors (but first some easier lizards to start me off, of course).
Why does the size always seen skewed in peoples minds? BPs are eight foot monsters and sand boas are sooo long? But they will also picture a garter snake as being this itty little thing...How does that work?
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In my experience with the people I know, nearly all of the girls like that I have snakes, think they're cool, cute, etc. and all of my boys give me crap and call me weird. I literally don't have a single male friend that likes snakes, while I haven't had a girl give a negative reaction yet.
More snake-loving ladies for me. So glad I'm not in middle school anymore and don't give a damn about other people's image of me.
You look like you're a normal lady because you probably are a normal lady. I stopped trying to judge people based on their 'style' when I left high school. Some people never grow up, though... and others don't have anything more interesting to say than the first cliche 1 liner that pops in their head :rolleye2:
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cendalla
Why does the size always seen skewed in peoples minds? BPs are eight foot monsters and sand boas are sooo long? But they will also picture a garter snake as being this itty little thing...How does that work?
Going by my own experiences, all of the wild snakes I've seen have been coiled and thus seem smaller (black rats, nasty buggers), babies (copperheads, garters), or just itty colubrids (ringnecks, redbellies). Adding to that, I don't think I've met many snake keepers here who have had their current animals for more than 2 years, but they were snake keepers for a while and have animals die after a year or two in their care (warning flag anyone?), it sort of makes sense. I'm sure everyone's experienced that guy that walks around the city shirtless with his burm draped around his shoulders, and so everyone equates all pythons to that. But those cute little garter babies and their (severely stunted, malnourished, and young) corn snakes are so small, they'll never hurt anyone right?
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I get lots of fascinating responses to my snakes. Interestingly enough, if you don't count all the "ewww gross scary" reactions which I get from both genders equally, I actually notice that girls I've told are much more positive and inquisitive. Males usually seem to be pretty unreactive altogether, for whatever reason. Could be coincidence of course.
But in any case, I don't "look like a snake keeper" either! I suppose I just look like the 5'3" teenage girl that I am. :)
(Sent from my Android via Tapatalk)
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I'm not really sure how people judge me in regards to my pets. I'm an animal biologist pre-vet, so all the exotic pets go hand in hand.
But I would say I don't look like many other things. For example, I'm a car junkie and build my own computers. I also like playing football/baseball. I bet most people wouldn't see that as I look like a book nerd.
One funny thing every night I hear is, "WHOA! You're a girl!?!?" when I speak into my gaming mic during a first person co-op shooter game.
haha....
My boyfriend thinks he may be gay since I'm so boy-ish... LOL
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
Quote:
Originally Posted by rebelrachel13
I get lots of fascinating responses to my snakes. Interestingly enough, if you don't count all the "ewww gross scary" reactions which I get from both genders equally, I actually notice that girls I've told are much more positive and inquisitive. Males usually seem to be pretty unreactive altogether, for whatever reason. Could be coincidence of course.
But in any case, I don't "look like a snake keeper" either! I suppose I just look like the 5'3" teenage girl that I am. :)
(Sent from my Android via Tapatalk)
I've been told its because women are more empathic towards animals (especially young animals) than men. I don't know. Maybe I broke something when little and didn't develop a proper fight-or-flight response:weirdface
I love my snakes and my Ts make me all squishy inside.
If I don't look like a snake keeper I kinda wonder what I look like? I bet I don't look like I got a Bachelor's Degree in music (contemporary composition and film scoring) either!
Quote:
Originally Posted by satomi325
I'm not really sure how people judge me in regards to my pets. I'm an animal biologist pre-vet, so all the exotic pets go hand in hand.
But I would say I don't look like many other things. For example, I'm a car junkie and build my own computers. I also like playing football/baseball. I bet most people wouldn't see that as I look like a book nerd.
One funny thing every night I hear is, "WHOA! You're a girl!?!?" when I speak into my gaming mic during a first person co-op shooter game.
haha....
My boyfriend thinks he may be gay since I'm so boy-ish... LOL
My husband was thrilled when we married. We had multiple copies of games. Apparently its not odd to find a girl who likes Chrono Trigger but it is odd to find a girl with three copies herself. Gotta have back ups in case something happens to the others :)
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sounds like we should start an off-topic cafe list of gamer tags and friend codes for all the snake / gamer enthusiast. Perhaps such a thread exist, but this has inspired me to start one. And for my two cents, there is no such thing as a "looks like a snake owner" stereotype anymore. It use to be presumed only goths, rockers, and punks owned snakes, then it shifted into a little less of that exageration . . . but I still look like I work at a zoo when I walk around in public, so what do I know!
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We do have one :) I already posted there, lol
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
I was shocked actually to see how many other female keepers there was when I joined bp.net. I don't get it either, why people think females wouldn't have snakes. I love mine. And I am a working Mom and wife. I also love my cute and fluffy animals too. :D
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I've been to a lot of reptile expos, and I've been to a lot of Wal-Marts. From what I've seen, the normal looking people are all at reptile expos...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rebelrachel13
Males usually seem to be pretty unreactive altogether, for whatever reason. Could be coincidence of course.
(Sent from my Android via Tapatalk)
Its probably bc guys wanna seem tough and dont wanna admit theyre afraid of snakes. In other words theyre slighty intimidated of your larger snakes lol.
I hate rodents, (which is why i like having snakes and feeding them lol). But if some nice gal was like "omg i love mice and breed them", i would never say "oh gross, mice are disgusting". Im not saying i would lie, bc thats wrong too. But i certainly wouldnt share my feelings on mice at that point haha.
Its a guy thing i guess lol. Trying to act tough and impress all you gals with our macho-ness :D
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Slim
I've been to a lot of reptile expos, and I've been to a lot of Wal-Marts. From what I've seen, the normal looking people are all at reptile expos...
Omfg yes soooo true. :rofl:
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slim
I've been to a lot of reptile expos, and I've been to a lot of Wal-Marts. From what I've seen, the normal looking people are all at reptile expos...
Its so true that its sad:rolleyes:
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slim
I've been to a lot of reptile expos, and I've been to a lot of Wal-Marts. From what I've seen, the normal looking people are all at reptile expos...
Which is why I try not to frequent Wal-Mart...
It's not just snakes...there are so many hobbies, occupations, and more where it is not uncommon for people to hold on to a preconceived stereotype.
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
Quote:
Originally Posted by moonlightgdess
We do have one :) I already posted there, lol
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2
Guess I missed it! didn't search too hard, so I started a new one back up, I'll look up the old one later and try and bump it into activity :-)
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Honestly, I don't think people have been too surprised with me saying I like snakes. I am a female but I have a boa constrictor tattoo around my arm and dyed black hair. I guess, I "look" the part..lol
Star
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
Quote:
Originally Posted by satomi325
I'm not really sure how people judge me in regards to my pets. I'm an animal biologist pre-vet, so all the exotic pets go hand in hand.
But I would say I don't look like many other things. For example, I'm a car junkie and build my own computers. I also like playing football/baseball. I bet most people wouldn't see that as I look like a book nerd.
One funny thing every night I hear is, "WHOA! You're a girl!?!?" when I speak into my gaming mic during a first person co-op shooter game.
haha....
My boyfriend thinks he may be gay since I'm so boy-ish... LOL
My husband told me he wished I were more "girly". I was like, ummmm, we have been married 7 years and your just saying this now?????? lol
I told him, if you wanted a girly girl, then why did you get with me???? lol
I am not butch but I just don't do a lot of the "girly" things I guess.
Star
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
Quote:
Originally Posted by weird_science04
Honestly, I don't think people have been too surprised with me saying I like snakes. I am a female but I have a boa constrictor tattoo around my arm and dyed black hair. I guess, I "look" the part..lol
Star
I would love to have a snake tattoo. I just haven't been able to find any examples of what I would like. Fee free to share pics:gj:
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cendalla
I would love to have a snake tattoo. I just haven't been able to find any examples of what I would like. Fee free to share pics:gj:
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...6/9/4/ball.jpg
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well I can easily see where the stereotype comes from, every time I go to a reptile show, the crowd is half "normal" looking people but the other half... the stereo-typical tattoo, piercings, unnatural hair color ect. Maybe it's not even half but the hobby sure does concentrate a lot of people like that, you can't even blame the media on that, it just is. Works out good for me though, I may be in the "normal" looking group, but I date the other kind :)
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I think the reason why people think girls only do cornsnakes is that cornsnakes are seen as cute [ for a snake ] and stay small, so since girls like tiny cute things, cornsnakes.
I get the weirdest looks when I tell people I have ball pythons. They miss the "ball" part entirely and when they hear python, they think of a 40' monster snake that eats the neighbors dog and swallows kids whole. So when I explain that ball pythons only get about 4 to 5' long, then they are all " Oh, you mean there are snakes that stay small ?"
Gale
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhhWatALoser
well I can easily see where the stereotype comes from, every time I go to a reptile show, the crowd is half "normal" looking people but the other half... the stereo-typical tattoo, piercings, unnatural hair color ect. Maybe it's not even half but the hobby sure does concentrate a lot of people like that, you can't even blame the media on that, it just is. Works out good for me though, I may be in the "normal" looking group, but I date the other kind :)
Even though I may look more the part.... I teach 4th grade. So, I have to play the ultra conservative roll at work being a teacher.
Star
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
Quote:
Originally Posted by angllady2
So when I explain that ball pythons only get about 4 to 5' long, then they are all " Oh, you mean there are snakes that stay small ?"
Gale
*FACE PALM* x____X;;
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Re: I don’t look like a snake owner?
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Originally Posted by Mft62485
Thats great! I've seen some that were supposed to be BP's and you can't tell at all. No question on what that is!
Quote:
Originally Posted by weird_science04
I love their little villain 'staches!
Quote:
Originally Posted by angllady2
So when I explain that ball pythons only get about 4 to 5' long, then they are all " Oh, you mean there are snakes that stay small ?"
Gale
I also get the people that dicide that a 5 foot snake is just huge! I guess when you aren't around them that does sound big but I'm sure it won't eat your children:rofl:
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