Negative or ignorant comments because you have snakes?

So at our weekly work staffing (social workers, therapists around the table) the supervisor is talking about a terrible home situation they had to remove a child from. The short conversation went something like this:

Her: "....and they have snakes!"

Me: "Wait a minute! I have snakes!"

Her: "Yeah but they have lizards and stuff."

Me: "I have lizards and stuff!"

Other co-worker: "Soooo, moving on....."

Bringing home garter snakes and copper bellies was such a part of my childhood I am forever brought up short by this kind of thing. I've been asked not to talk about my snakes in front of one co-worker because it bothers her so much. I don't get it.

Yeah I deal with that alot from people at school and work not understanding or the worst as a single guy bringing a girl home having her see my snakes and rats and hear I want more then more or less them being scared off by it it sucks but what can you do I'm not changing what I like for anyone. I work wit the local rescue squad and some of them treat all snakes as the most deadly things its kinda sad watching big rescue workers get jumpy over a ball

Right? I really didn't take my co-workers reaction to overhearing me talk about my snakes seriously. My first two were rescues and I was pretty excited about how they were coming along, so I commented that they were so gentle, come right out to you when you open the tank, "sweet as puppies". Yeah, not a good idea. She was ridiculously offended for dog owners everywhere. My two Great Danes couldn't redeem me :P

I understand. I work at a vet, and I only have a small handful of coworkers that are ok or like reptiles. Some hear I have a snake, and freak out saying that their gonna eat my animals, and that their gross and scary. They also try to lecture me about taking wild animals out of their natural environment. I then ask if any have rabbits, birds, hamsters, etc. I try to educate them as best as I can, but there is only so much someone can do. I have converted my roommates and their parents somewhat. One of my roommates is just OK with them, and the other really wants a bearded dragon, and shes LOVES my snake. So I look at it as a success. :P

I've never been confronted with this. If I ever am, I won't really be able to complain because I have the same reaction to people who brag about how many kids they have. I'm like, "NINE? But. Why?"

I agree. One person at a time! I live way up north in a one stoplight town so we don't have much of a herp society or anything like that, but I'm hoping I'll meet some local snake lovers when I go to this year's reptile show in Madison. It's a long haul for me but you never know. Why try to ease new friends into the fact I love snakes when I can make new friends who love snakes too :)

Plus the fact that my first two were rescues (along with two beardies) and the terrible condition they were in has brought to my attention how many people think its ok to treat a reptile with indifference while doting on their warm-blooded pets. The person who ran the local herp society became very ill years ago and its disbanded as far as I know, though he's still an amazing resource. It would be nice to get something going again and help educate others! On the other hand, I'd like to breed next year and I have no interest in advertising that fact in my small town. Its frustrating :(

Yeah I get some rude comments but all I do is throw a bunch of scientific facts about whatever snarky comment they make and they shut up very quickly. Facts and knowledge quickly slays the beast of ignorance

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I am confronted with this daily! I live with my grandparents while I'm in nursing school. When I moved in, they said I had to get rid of my cat because of allergies...so I told her if the cat goes, the snakes stay. I didn't budge and got my way. They still don't like the idea that I have snakes, but when they found out that my new rack (hopefully it'll be in next week!) has a locking mechanism, they were a little more accepting. My grandfather thinks it's a waste of time and money (but that's his opinion on all pets...even my fish and two dogs) and he's a hardcore Christian and thinks snakes are the devil's doing (even when I tell him that technically he should love all God's creatures and God made snakes - no, I'm not religious but I can argue my point).

And then there's nursing school...some of my friends are really into my snakes and live to see pictures. Usually they are interested in finding out why a young woman owns so many snakes and wants more. But then there are some who don't want to hear about them. I try my best to respect their wishes and not talk about them while they are around, but when they facebook message me and tell me that my cover photo (of my lesser) and my snake album freak her out and that I should take them down, I politely tell her to unfriend me or don't look at them. After all, my snakes are a huge part of my life. I can respect someone's opinion about them, but I'm not going to bend my life around other people who are just ignorant.

I mean, I am deathly afraid of spiders (not the morph...the actual 8 legged thing), flying bugs with stingers (wasps, bees, hornets, etc.), 18 wheelers, and the ocean. But do I ask you to give up your pet spider, tell all the bugs to get out of my bubble, ask all the 18 wheelers to get off the road while I'm on it, or tell the ocean to bug off. No. I simply respect that they are there and choose not to interact with them if I can help it.

-stepping off the soapbox now-

Or it at least drives those who possess it away from you. I wish facts always slew that beast outright...

I've dealt with my fair share of morons and ignorant innocents alike. Not being able to drive means I have to transport my critters by bus, and I always get asked 'what's in the box?' (the snakes transport boxes are the blue rubbermaid tubs with vent holes). The answer brings everything from 'are they poisonous?' to 'OMG they'll get out and kill you all!'. But, being a natural educator and pet consultant, I have no qualms about feeding the facts. These either bring a look of enlightenment and more questions, my preferred response, or some disgusted expression and the person moving away...which I accept but dislike. Similar things happen when I have my BTS out in his carrier, so it's not just snakes that bring those stupid comments. :)
But yes, the best defense is the facts. Whether it educates or just gets the morons to leave you alone...it works.

Hey prettyballsy where you live I'm up north too northern Minnesota in the twin ports now tho duluth not superior

havent had too many negative reactions when people find out i keep snakes. im lucky to work with a bunch of very open minded people. the one thing i do get a lot though is when people come over and i show them my animals, theyre always like "why dont you get them a big tank instead of these tubs?" they always think keeping them in tubs is cruel, but after i explain why they usually just drop it.

For the most part I'm pretty lucky. I am a biologist, and my closest coworkers are biologists, and we all love snakes (ALTHOUGH one biologist coworker did half jokingly say "What?! Are you trying to kill your child?" when she heard the word "python"). The rest of my coworkers are at least tolerant and/or indifferent as far as I can tell. My non-work friends are tolerant, or simply say, "I don't like snakes." I'm ok with that, there are some animals I don't like, and as long as we can give eachother mutual respect, no problem! It's family I have a little more trouble with. I can't even talk to my mother about my snakes without her saying "EWW! Yuck!"

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Originally Posted by creepin

havent had too many negative reactions when people find out i keep snakes. im lucky to work with a bunch of very open minded people. the one thing i do get a lot though is when people come over and i show them my animals, theyre always like "why dont you get them a big tank instead of these tubs?" they always think keeping them in tubs is cruel, but after i explain why they usually just drop it.

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This is pretty much the only reaction I get when people find out I have snakes.

A lot of people are curious about the racks. When I was visiting my grandpa in the hospital the nurse heard me mention I was going to pick up a snake rack and had all kinds of questions.

The best conversation I have had about my snakes went something like this. "mother in-law" you have snakes? I am never coming over until you get rid of them. "me" if I had known it was that easy I would have gotten them sooner.
I am on the fire department and the guys are mixed, some think it is just creepy and won't even stop by and some want to be there for every feed, but no one seems to think they are just plain awsome in and of themselves. As far as my family goes, I tell them my house my rules. I don't like cats but I won't stop visiting if they have one.

be careful they carry salmonella.
BE CAREFUL THEY CARRY SALMONELLA!
BE CAREFUL THEY CARRY SALMONELLA!

Oh thanks for telling me I should probably go die now.

we only have the one itty bitty Sand Boa right now (although I might feel an addiction coming on) but on the first day we got it my mom emailed me and asked if we PLEASE could not take it out of it's "cage" while she visits. She lives 12 hours away and doesn't even have her next visit planned yet. It exasperates me a little...I mean, the little guy is only about a foot long and won't get much bigger than 18 inches, but she's so freaked out by him. BUT I respect her fear and the snake does not have to come out while she's in the room. I mean, if my mom kept tarantulas (ha.) I'd sure hope she'd respect my fear of spiders and not take the things out while I was at her house. I'm new to this so I'm sure I'll get a lot more reactions, negative and positive in the future...I just try to remind myself that it's all about respect. :)

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Originally Posted by BHReptiles

he's a hardcore Christian and thinks snakes are the devil's doing

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I would blow your grandfather's mind. I'm a devoted Christian and now own 6 snakes with one on the way! I'm sure in his opinion I'm going to hell. You can also point out to him (if you know the Bible) about how God commanded the Israelites to look upon the serpent to be saved (Moses had a staff that had a snake on it). Then later on, Jesus Himself was compared to the serpent in the desert. Snakes aren't evil. Good grief...

People are ridiculous when I tell them I have snakes. I think the next time I run across someone who acts like that and they have a "normal" pet, I'm going to act all grossed out and mortified that they have a dog or a cat and request that they don't talk about it around me because it makes me feel uncomfortable.

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Originally Posted by tdrusk

be careful they carry salmonella.
BE CAREFUL THEY CARRY SALMONELLA!
BE CAREFUL THEY CARRY SALMONELLA!

Oh thanks for telling me I should probably go die now.

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Haha last time a coworker told me that they were standing on the soapbox only a RN can build so I in turn asked him "so it's bad when I lick my fingers or make food while holding my snakes?" His look was priceless I then walked away muttering so he thought I was crazy ha ha but I get bored at work sometimes

I haven't had anyone say negative things to me/about me (that I'm aware of), but I have encountered several people who wondered if we let the snakes just roam the house like any other pet. :rofl:

I've gotten some negative comments from work by both people I work with and customers. Usually I just get the 'I get it you're not all there mentally and I have pity for you because your parents must not have loved you as a child' face and the awkward smile as they back away slowly. I talk about my snakes the same way I do my dogs. For a while I had a few people convinced that I had a house full of dogs with odd names. I think people sort of expect me to have snakes though. 20+ piercings, tattoos, fiances is pres of a MC, also covered in tattoos.. I dont know why people were so surprised. My mom also refuses to come in my house now, which is sort of a plus..

I get the ignorant comments now and again, but I can usually back myself up.

Recently my mother discovered my snake obsession over facebook and I was greeted with a conversation over christmas dinner about how they are so dangerous. :rolleyes: Uh huuuuuuh. Even my Aunt, a nurse, said she has never seen an infected reptile bite but she does see tons of infected cat bites.

Mother still isn't talking to me. :/ She can't seem to get over the fact I have a lot of snakes and I went against her wishes.

Oh well, she will get over it.. I keep telling myself.

All the time, snakes will never be a "normal" pet to have. Humans will never get over the general fear of snakes. Therefore we are stuck forever hearing dumb comments.

Wow! Guess we're all in variations of the same boat! I have to say some of your comments had me laughing my *** off! Thanks so much!

Northeast Wisc near the UP. A good six or more hours from u tho. My daughter almost went to UW Superior. What a drive!

I have found out since 7th grade that at school you don't tell people about your snakes. When they do find out well. Their typical high school ignorance and immaturity pops out. I've gotten comments like "do you shove snakes up your a**. And stuff like well not forum appropriate. It really pisses me off but. Oh well; is snake Poole are always gonna have to deal with it

This has been happening to me a lot recently. A few people in the last few days have told me "snakes weird them out" and when I ask why, it's because of how they slither. My new response is "why does the presence of legs dictate whether or not you like an animal? It's just an animal. That doesn't have legs. No big deal." Seems to make them stop and think about how silly they sound.

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Originally Posted by BrandiR

I've never been confronted with this. If I ever am, I won't really be able to complain because I have the same reaction to people who brag about how many kids they have. I'm like, "NINE? But. Why?"

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Lmao thats me. Most of my friends, family and coworkers know and find it interesting. Some just like to ask questions, some want to actually handle them and learn about them. I do get a few people that are like, "EWWW you have snakes?!? Im never coming over!" To which I reply, "Good, I would rather you not be over if it bothers you so much.." usually people end up getting embarrassed and never bring it up again.. And yes, they all still come over lol.. My boyfriend hated snakes, but after a couple years hes getting better lol. Even handling them and asking questions.

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Originally Posted by mischevious21

My boyfriend hated snakes, but after a couple years hes getting better lol. Even handling them and asking questions.

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And so his addiction begins!

I have 2 kids and found a couple parents "concerned" about the fact that I have a "dangerous" snake in my home - the "dangerous" snake being a 6 month old BP. I have tried to explain about a million times that they should be far more concerned sending their kids to a house with dogs (I have 2 dogs as well actually) then with a snake lounging in a locked glass enclosure. I wish people would educate themselves a bit - my fascination with reptiles come from their prehistoric roots and amazing ability to adapt and survive for millions of years. I find snakes interesting for so many reasons, not the least of which is their ability to survive without limbs. Absolutely fascinating and beautiful beings.