Why do /you/ keep reptiles?

I'm going to give a presentation on herpetoculture in a few weeks. What I've noticed in talking to many people over the course of many programs, is that if someone doesn't like or understand keeping reptiles, it's nearly impossible to explain to them why we do it and why it's enjoyable. I've been called crazy, strange, cruel, and even accused of being possessed!

I wanted to expand my mental repertoire and back up my presentation a bit and prepare to answer questions in the future - so please tell me, whether you keep a single gecko, a hundred snakes, or one-of-everything, what brought you into the world of keeping reptiles? How do you defend your practice? What is your favorite retort for someone who is afraid or judgmental of you? So on, so forth. Share your thoughts, and perhaps even a story about defending or sharing what you love.

Why do you herp?

Frankly, the fear of snake and reptiles is COMPLETELY irrational. There is no logic behind it. 99% of the time when you ask someone why they're afraid of snakes, they respond with "because they're nasty" without ever handling one or giving them a chance.

If you've never handled, been around, or felt a snake, and know nothing about them, how can you hate them??? That's like me saying " I hate broccoli, but I've never had it, but I hate it hate it hate it. " doesn't make a lot of sense does it? That's the argument I usually bring to people.

I grew up in a family that hated snakes, but I then met a professor of mine that told me he would show me his collection. So I agreed to see. I instantly fell in love with one of his pieds, and the rest was history. Even though my family hates them, I'm more passionate about my snakes than a lot of things.

PS: I keep snakes for several reasons. I love them, they are beautiful, and they are easy to take care of (a great break from my fairly demanding dogs and bird.) They are silent, 'hypoallergenic', don't have claws, don't need babysat on a weekend trip, and are wonderfully predictable. I don't believe they are boring, and I do believe that life in captivity is fulfilling and safe if the husbandry is proper, so I've never considered myself cruel for keeping anything in a cage. I have no problem with keeping animals as companions, display animals, education animals, or even investments. I don't believe cats and dogs are the only acceptable standard pet, and I am constantly frustrated by the lack of education and awareness for pet reptiles. I personally love ball pythons for their beautiful and endless morphs, boas for their excellent, outgoing personalities, and appreciate more intelligent lizards like bearded dragons and iguanas for a more humorous, daily companion. My boyfriend is especially fond or more delicate herps like chameleons and dart frogs because of the challenge (I see him getting into caimans and monitors in the future) and I admire that as well.

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Originally Posted by Trackstrong83

Frankly, the fear of snake and reptiles is COMPLETELY irrational. There is no logic behind it. 99% of the time when you ask someone why they're afraid of snakes, they respond with "because they're nasty" without ever handling one or giving them a chance.

If you've never handled, been around, or felt a snake, and know nothing about them, how can you hate them??? That's like me saying " I hate broccoli, but I've never had it, but I hate it hate it hate it. " doesn't make a lot of sense does it? That's the argument I usually bring to people.

I grew up in a family that hated snakes, but I then met a professor of mine that told me he would show me his collection. So I agreed to see. I instantly fell in love with one of his pieds, and the rest was history. Even though my family hates them, I'm more passionate about my snakes than a lot of things.

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I completely agree! I see this at least once at every single program or visit I do with an animal. I have never gotten a straight answer from anyone about why they hate or fear snakes, and even when I am holding a calm and comfortably animal confidently, they keep warning me or wondering why it's not biting me. It doesn't matter what I say and in what tone of voice, people don't seem to listen! I understand it's inevitable, but I wonder if there is anything better I can say or do to help alleviate such ignorance.

My family was pretty tolerant of weird pets (we had rats, chickens, goats, a raccoon, etc. and so my corn snake and mom's iguana was no problem) but my boyfriend's mom won't even let his younger brother visit our house because she's convinced my baby ball pythons will 'poison' and eat him.

They don't want to be walked, they don't need to be brushed, they aren't going to drool on me, they won't knock up the neighbor's dog if they aren't fixed, there's no house training, they eat once a week (for snakes, a few more for the geckos), they aren't under foot, they don't wake me up at night, they don't need shots or teeth cleaning, they come in lots of colors and sizes.... what I'm getting at is that they are low maintenance compared to most pets, and that works well for me.

Plus I find reptiles fascinating and adorable. Do I love my snakes more than my dachshund? No. Are they cuter than him? No. Do they love me like him? Definitely not. So you can't compare a snake or lizard to a dog or cat. It's apples and rocks. A person who can only connect with an animal that connects with them too isn't going to readily understand the appeal of an animal that frankly doesn't care if you exist or not.

I dont know why. Why isn't the best question I guess. I love how snake look and to me they look cutter even more slick than dogs. Dogs and cats are just common or very frequently adopted pets, that doesn't make snakes not pet-able. Although venomous or potentionally threath species are totally different reasons and whatnot but simply because I love them just like "normal" people think puppies are cute and beautiful.

There is even fun or entertainment at breeding too.

With this simple question, I could probably go all night long..haha:D

"Snakes don't bite. Just humans."

Because they are awesome and each have a personality of their own.

I keep snakes, most simply put, because I enjoy them. They are beautiful and fascinating animals to watch. I'm a wildlife biologist who works in the field (as opposed to in a lab or zoo?). I am fascinated by many animals, simply for what they are, whether they are a snake, lizard, bird, mouse, whatever. I carry this into the animals I keep. For the most part I keep an animal because I enjoy and appreciate something about: Something about the way it looks, its colors, the way it acts and moves, its biology, etc. (Some of my animals do serve purposes... i.e. I got chickens for the purpose of producing eggs, goats for the purpose of producing milk. Not the case with snakes.) I especially enjoy snakes in the respect that they are easy compared to cats and dogs. With the use of technology (i.e. thermostats) and housing (i.e. enclosed tubs) keeping their environment correct is pretty easy, once it has initially been set up. They eat about once a week, not every day or multiple times a day like mammals. They don't even poop on a daily basis. They don't require constant attention to stay tame, don't require training, don't need to be walked or played with, don't need an outlet for their energy, don't chew, don't pee and poop all over the place, don't jump on or lick people, don't shed fur all over the place at all times of the year, don't bite (and the rare times they do it is 90+% handler error), and if they do bite they generally don't cause serious damage (at least the reptiles I keep don't). This contrasts with dogs, cats, and other more "traditional" pets who do require a lot more in terms of daily care, attention, training, exercise, cleaning, grooming, etc. As you can see from my signature, I have a variety of animals, and in the past I've had other animals besides these. So I've been around the block a few times when it comes to different animal husbandry. ;)

Snakes are just different. I enjoy them for what they are. I am an educated woman who looks pretty "normal". Not a weirdo, not a crazy person. Just your average run of the mill person who likes animals and is lucky enough to work with them in a science field for a living.

I just got my first two about 6 weeks ago. When I lived at home as a teen I wasnt allowed,no girls I was with liked them,so when me and my girl broke up about 2 months ago,I went and got two..I decided time to do what I want and get something I always wanted. I make a good living and can afford to take care of them...now,if she my ex, calls me back,she has to deal with two snakes...they are here for good

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Originally Posted by Shey

I'm going to give a presentation on herpetoculture in a few weeks. What I've noticed in talking to many people over the course of many programs, is that if someone doesn't like or understand keeping reptiles, it's nearly impossible to explain to them why we do it and why it's enjoyable. I've been called crazy, strange, cruel, and even accused of being possessed!

I wanted to expand my mental repertoire and back up my presentation a bit and prepare to answer questions in the future - so please tell me, whether you keep a single gecko, a hundred snakes, or one-of-everything, what brought you into the world of keeping reptiles? How do you defend your practice? What is your favorite retort for someone who is afraid or judgmental of you? So on, so forth. Share your thoughts, and perhaps even a story about defending or sharing what you love.

Why do you herp?

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First off, people who have no understanding on why a person does something "not normal" and calls this said person "crazy, strange, cruel, or possessed" clearly have no mental capacity to even keep their judgemental mouth shut. I might sound brash here... but, I seriously dislike people who fire off their opinions when they can't back them up or care about how I feel about mine. When somebody scoffs at my passion and hobby, I laugh. They just won't understand why I do it, even if I give a 24 hour lecture and show pictures of me hanging out with my reptiles... co-habitation at it's finest lol..... they just won't get it. I'm not saying your presentation is useless, in fact, I think it's a great way to get more people in the hobby and may open up the eyes of some open minded people. More people should highlight the herpetology field and the hobby, I think it would shut up the people who throw out strange stereotypes about herpers, and uncalled for insults and show them that a lot of reptile keepers are intelligent, kind, and very friendly and value their PETS more than their lives in some cases.
It grinds me to no end when I or someone else gets practically picked on for keeping reptiles... some people can and do understand why we do it... some don't, but after a brief explaination, back off from the arguement, but still don't understand.... some people, no matter how many times and how many ways you tell them why, they just can't fathom or care to understand why, they're set in their ways... but, I have and always will defend what I do, and what many others do... no matter what nutcase calls me out lol.

SO, after that tangent.... WHY do I keep reptiles?
Simple answer.... as a tiny tiny child, in the pupid stage of humanhood.... I would find toads and worms ("snakes" lol) and go fishing, and I was really into nature. My dad had an iguana and a really epic turtle (which he still has, Willy, our 30+ year old female turtle) I watched Jurrasic Park, and thought dinosaurs were on a real island somewhere and that they were awesome. I watched Godzilla, and I think that's when I really went head over heels for anything reptilian. I would always bug my parents to buy me geckos or toy snakes... because they wouldn't buy me a gecko lol. I would catch snakes and show them off, and release them. I watched Steve Orwin, and thought I was him, lol. I was just hooked.
The passion only grew as I grew, and when I stumbled upon an ad for the local reptile show, I made sure I went.
After about my 5th show, I bought myself a Mexican Black Kingsnake, and oohhh my god, did I fall in love with him. Soon after, I bought more snakes, and lizards, and turtles until I had no more room in my duplex for any more....
I go outside with my snakes on nice warm days, and people just gawk and awe at me... some totally avoid looking at me or RUN across the street once they see what I have. Usually, I get asked about my critters, and people think they're cool and even ask me if I'm selling any lol, so there is some cool, open minded folk out there... not everyone is a slander throwing, satan accusing, nut job lol.

I do it because I love it, and reptiles are all I knew since birth.

I'm on this religious forum and I posted a pic of our snakes and I get comments like...

"People keep snakes just for the shock factor".

Not so. Not in my house. I have pet snakes because I got tired of finding "captured wildlife for observation" hidden under my son's bed. I figured, if I get him a snake (and a leo and map turtles and community fish and parakeets and african rats and an amazon parrot), he would be safer because then he's not taking "who-knows-what-disease-it-carries" animals in the house.

So when this topic comes up, the person i admired the most comes into my mind. And that person is Steve Irwin. A quote from him, if i may...."I want people to touch animals, so that the animals touch them". I love SNAKES for soo many reasons. For their ease of care, for their variety of beautiful colors,and for their fascinating behaviours. It amazes me what an animal that has no limbs can do. People outside of our community are ignorant of snakes. Its well known that people fear what they know nothing about. The fear goes waay waaay back. Without the knowledge and truth, a vucuum was created....only to filled with superstion, stories, and made up nonsense. It is our duty as community to reverse this vacuum, and fill it with good experiences, knowledge, and FACTS. Getting back to Steve Irwin, i love taking Mikeeto(one of my albino males) to my work and letting people hold and touch him. Soo many times nay sayers and fearful folks have walked away with the realization that that snake is NOT poisonous, NOT going to eat them, and NOT dangerous at all, after seeing and even petting or holding Mikeeto. They often comment, "wow, ive never held a snake before. I didnt know they could be friendly", "beautiful", "it feels nice", "omg this is my first time ever touching a snake! Im not so scared anymore!". I feel that each little tiny moment we spend changing peoples minds and letting them realize things for themselves about our pets will slowly, but surely change the future for us, and protect the future of the animals we love most.
sent from my incubator

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Originally Posted by 4theSNAKElady

So when this topic comes up, the person i admired the most comes into my mind. And that person is Steve Irwin. A quote from him, if i may...."I want people to touch animals, so that the animals touch them". I love SNAKES for soo many reasons. For their ease of care, for their variety of beautiful colors,and for their fascinating behaviours. It amazes me what an animal that has no limbs can do. People outside of our community are ignorant of snakes. Its well known that people fear what they know nothing about. The fear goes waay waaay back. Without the knowledge and truth, a vucuum was created....only to filled with superstion, stories, and made up nonsense. It is our duty as community to reverse this vacuum, and fill it with good experiences, knowledge, and FACTS. Getting back to Steve Irwin, i love taking Mikeeto(one of my albino males) to my work and letting people hold and touch him. Soo many times nay sayers and fearful folks have walked away with the realization that that snake is NOT poisonous, NOT going to eat them, and NOT dangerous at all, after seeing and even petting or holding Mikeeto. They often comment, "wow, ive never held a snake before. I didnt know they could be friendly", "beautiful", "it feels nice", "omg this is my first time ever touching a snake! Im not so scared anymore!". I feel that each little tiny moment we spend changing peoples minds and letting them realize things for themselves about our pets will slowly, but surely change the future for us, and protect the future of the animals we love most.
sent from my incubator

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:judge:

So seriously, awesome write-up. I actually quoted you a bit on my Facebook, I hope you don't mind. I agree with everything you've said here...100%.

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Originally Posted by 4theSNAKElady

Steve Irwin: "I want people to touch animals, so that the animals touch them".

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He also said:
You know, you can touch a stick of dynamite, but if you touch a venomous snake it’ll turn around and bite you and kill you so fast it’s not even funny.

LOL. I love that guy and I miss him sooooo much. The kids still follow Bindi! She's got a new "Total Drama Island" kind of show.

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Originally Posted by Anya

:judge:

So seriously, awesome write-up. I actually quoted you a bit on my Facebook, I hope you don't mind. I agree with everything you've said here...100%.

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's quite alright ;)

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Originally Posted by valhalha30

First off, people who have no understanding on why a person does something "not normal" and calls this said person "crazy, strange, cruel, or possessed" clearly have no mental capacity to even keep their judgemental mouth shut. I might sound brash here... but, I seriously dislike people who fire off their opinions when they can't back them up or care about how I feel about mine. When somebody scoffs at my passion and hobby, I laugh. They just won't understand why I do it, even if I give a 24 hour lecture and show pictures of me hanging out with my reptiles... co-habitation at it's finest lol..... they just won't get it. I'm not saying your presentation is useless, in fact, I think it's a great way to get more people in the hobby and may open up the eyes of some open minded people. More people should highlight the herpetology field and the hobby, I think it would shut up the people who throw out strange stereotypes about herpers, and uncalled for insults and show them that a lot of reptile keepers are intelligent, kind, and very friendly and value their PETS more than their lives in some cases.
It grinds me to no end when I or someone else gets practically picked on for keeping reptiles... some people can and do understand why we do it... some don't, but after a brief explaination, back off from the arguement, but still don't understand.... some people, no matter how many times and how many ways you tell them why, they just can't fathom or care to understand why, they're set in their ways... but, I have and always will defend what I do, and what many others do... no matter what nutcase calls me out lol.

SO, after that tangent.... WHY do I keep reptiles?
Simple answer.... as a tiny tiny child, in the pupid stage of humanhood.... I would find toads and worms ("snakes" lol) and go fishing, and I was really into nature. My dad had an iguana and a really epic turtle (which he still has, Willy, our 30+ year old female turtle) I watched Jurrasic Park, and thought dinosaurs were on a real island somewhere and that they were awesome. I watched Godzilla, and I think that's when I really went head over heels for anything reptilian. I would always bug my parents to buy me geckos or toy snakes... because they wouldn't buy me a gecko lol. I would catch snakes and show them off, and release them. I watched Steve Orwin, and thought I was him, lol. I was just hooked.
The passion only grew as I grew, and when I stumbled upon an ad for the local reptile show, I made sure I went.
After about my 5th show, I bought myself a Mexican Black Kingsnake, and oohhh my god, did I fall in love with him. Soon after, I bought more snakes, and lizards, and turtles until I had no more room in my duplex for any more....
I go outside with my snakes on nice warm days, and people just gawk and awe at me... some totally avoid looking at me or RUN across the street once they see what I have. Usually, I get asked about my critters, and people think they're cool and even ask me if I'm selling any lol, so there is some cool, open minded folk out there... not everyone is a slander throwing, satan accusing, nut job lol.

I do it because I love it, and reptiles are all I knew since birth.

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Sounds like me! Jurassic Park and Godzilla was a turning point in my life too, it got me into dragons, which got me into art, and in turn, the internet, and from there, a sincere desire to learn and a passion for science and animals.

Thank you so much for the awesome replies everyone. I got some fresh ideas to talk about. It's really nice to hear what you all have to say.

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Originally Posted by anatess

I'm on this religious forum and I posted a pic of our snakes and I get comments like...

"People keep snakes just for the shock factor".

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lol...are snakes really that shocking any more? You can see much more shocking things just by flipping on the tv and tuning it to any network other than Nickelodeon...

I love herps because I was and will always be a tom boy. I was "herping" from the time I was 5 at my cottage catching frogs and toads at my grandfathers house. We had a small lake full of painted turtles (I was always on net and I made my younger sisters paddle the rowboat, and still caught them, although we did better in the canoe). By grade 4 I met some boys who knew of this ditch that was seriously filled with garter snakes. You literally could not walk across it without finding at least one or 2, sometimes more, and sometimes a eastern milk, or red bellied snake. That's where I found my love of snakes, in grade 4.

Is this thread about why reptiles are better than your average pet? They smell less, except garter snakes, those things stink when you catch them! I love them but that defensive pooish stinky crap is terrible. Even my BPs smell snakey after a bit. My leopard gecko is better, no smell and she poops on one end on a pile. I would be all about lizards except we don't have them wild here, and so I wasn't raised with them, and I feel like I don't read them well, and it makes me a bit uneasy. Snakes are snakes, I have never had a BP, yet I have no issue reading their body language since I grew up with colubrids. .

I have snakes because my partner is allergic to cats. :P
Actually, I grew up catching snakes and frogs and all kinds of things as a kid. Seeing snakes in zoos and whatnot was so exciting; being an adult, I guess I kind of wanted to bring that experience home.
And by that, I mean many things. A part of it is the shock factor I will admit: not just for other people - I don't always tell people I have snakes. A lot of it is for myself. Kind of like, "Wow! I actually get to HAVE and SEE and HOLD and TAKE CARE OF these beautiful, unique animals!"
I also like educating people about them, too. It's really amazing to see someone completely change their mind about such a misunderstood creature, and to think that you had some little part in it? Very cool.
In another way, I suppose having snakes is somewhat of a challenge, in that they don't love you. They aren't dogs (or cats, or other small animals) that have loving bonds with you. But they can trust you, even if it takes time. To feel special and believe you do have some kind of bond with your snake is an interesting thing to think about all on its own! It may not really be there, or others may not see it... but if you do, that's something special.

On the plus side, they are quite easy to care for - well, at least having only two of them!

When people question me on them, I retort with "Well... why do you like *such and such*?" I think snakes are still different, as popular as they are becoming. I personally like to think I'm unique :rolleyes: and my snakes are individual in their personalities as well.
That is a really difficult question to answer, actually. I don't get offended when people think I'm "nuts", because I really do feel sorry for them that they won't give snakes a chance. Or other animals. And in fact, if they are so quick to judge snakes (and the folks who care for them), it makes me wonder what other conclusions they jump to about other important things, like people!

Awesome questions. Thanks for asking :) Sorry about my long response. Good luck with your presentation/project!


P.S.
SNAKES ARE ADORABLE. I forgot that.