Snake reactions from your family and friends

I never thought about this until recently but I just recently got my first BP whom I absolutely adore. I have posted a couple pictures of her on facebook and Instagram and have received some snake hate from folks who don't usually comment at all on anything and the rest of my friends have stayed silent. I usually pretty positive reactions from friends and family on my pics and comments but when I post snake stuff I get like to 2 likes, 2 negative comments and crickets.

Makes me wonder if I just shouldn't bother posting my snake pics.

Do you have reactions like this? Do you just not post snake stuff on facebook?

As an extension I have also had pretty negative reactions from friends and family that I have told about my snakes in person. A real close friend declared that he would never come to my house again.

Not sure how to react to this kind of stuff. As I said I am really new to reptile keeping in general.

Thanks,

Phily D

I don't post much snake stuff on FB unless it's in a reptile group. My friends and family are pretty indifferent to me keeping snakes. Some are fearful and others are fascinated. They all kinda know to expect unusual things from me so I'm sure they're not surprised that I have exotic animals. Some of them are a little shocked that I have so many critters though.

Keep posting! You could be the lynch pin that sways an opinion or two. Be proud of your little friend and totally ignore the negative comments. I never take them personally. Fear of snakes is a very real phenomena for a lot of people, so don't feel like they are just hating on you.

In the beginning, my snake pics scored tons of hateful comments. I just happily kept posting and ignoring. And now? I get comments like "i don't typically like snakes, but yours is really cute", or "i never liked snakes before, but Neptune is so pretty".

Infuse some anthropomorphism into your pics ... "look at my girl, she's so embarrassed because she tipped her water over!" "here's my little noodle with her puppy dog eyes wondering where her sweater is because it's Fall now"

Dumb stuff like that - people love it! LOL.

Sadly this is typical...you can't change them all but you can work on them one at a time. Ask why they feel that way? Some ppl were teased or badly scared
by someone in the past & are now phobic...not by choice, but most are just "staying with the herd" of public misinformation about snakes. People believe the
scary bad-press & movies about snakes....watch their faces when you tell them snakes are actually shy and beneficial...that by having them in nature, our crops
are protected from being demolished by rodents, & that rodents reproduce exponentially fast & carry diseases we can die from. No, cats do NOT keep them in
check...snakes can go into burrows & eat the whole family. And they never kill for "fun", only to survive, and WE aren't on their menu. As pets go, snakes are
part of the balance of nature that you can witness, and they're mostly laid back pets....not barking & digging or jumping fences to chase cars, not clawing the
furniture & getting in fights all night, not squawking when you want to sleep in...& their bites generally do FAR less damage than other pets kept. They're
graceful like tropical fish, but much better to cuddle...

I've been known to joke that there's 2 kinds of ppl in the world: those that would pay to come in my house, & those that would pay to stay out...;)

I don't do Facebook...for one thing, it encourages ppl to make snarky comments that they wouldn't make in real life...& who needs it? Those that do that aren't
really your friends, just saying. Those who care about you, will at least listen...even if you don't change their minds.

I would keep posting if you enjoy it. Just tell the naysayers to keep quiet and if they cant post anything nice, then just dont post at all. I told my coworkers I have large snakes and stuff when i started and we were all just talking. Never got any negative comments. A few just asked 'why' and one guy said his wife loves reptiles too and has BPs, corn and milk snakes and bearded dragons. I personally never really understood the point of slamming people on what pets they keep. I personally dont see the point to keeping insects or arachnids but hey, if you like that stuff, go for it. Dont expect me to get all excited but then again, i wont get angry because you keep them haha.

hilabeans

I like this! I used to fear snakes until I had a positive encounter with a Ball Python and a Corn Snake at my sons camp. Since then I have been absolutely obsessed. I would like to gently help others get over the fear like I did and learn to appreciate these animals.

Phil

Bogertophis

Well spoken thank you for that!

Sauzo

Thank you

I am sure they have an opinion or reaction but my friend and family are

A/ Smart enough to know that if it is negative they can keep it to themselves.

B/ Smart enough to know that I do not care about their opinion nor am I seeking anyone's approval when it comes to my life choices.

So life is good.

I agree with everyone on this topic... Keep on doing what you do if thats what you like, and dont let others take away your happiness!! There are many haters of snakes or reptiles in general out there, but as I look at it they dont know what they are missing!!! The only posting I do is on this site or maybe FB but in snake/reptiles rooms.
Everyone at my place of work knows my love for snakes and some shy away from me while others like to live curiously through me. Its funny the way people look at you when you say you owns snakes...AND you all know that look!!!! :eyepoppin

If my friends and family are allowed to spam their facebook with kids and baby pictures then I'm allowed to do the same. Mine just don't have legs :p

I believe the majority of my friends and family dislike snakes, but I can tell that they care enough about me and my interests to comment on how pretty the snake is or to listen to me rambling on about snakes. I do get SOME negative comments, but nothing impolite, mostly just playful.

I don't understand it really. If you posted a picture of you hugging your dog, you wouldn't expect someone who dislikes dogs to comment "Ewww" or anything.

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Originally Posted by 55fingers

I believe the majority of my friends and family dislike snakes, but I can tell that they care enough about me and my interests to comment on how pretty the snake is or to listen to me rambling on about snakes. I do get SOME negative comments, but nothing impolite, mostly just playful.

I don't understand it really. If you posted a picture of you hugging your dog, you wouldn't expect someone who dislikes dogs to comment "Ewww" or anything.

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Exactly. I love dogs but there are certain breeds that I dislike with a passion. But I would never ever dream of saying "Ewww you have a [breed]?" either in person or on the internet. Because that's someone's pet so obviously they love it very much. I don't like how that would be considered so rude but it seems socially acceptable to say rude things about reptiles- especially snakes.

I don't expect people in my life to love snakes just because I have one. What I do expect is respect for all of my pets regardless if they have fur or not.

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Originally Posted by 55fingers

I believe the majority of my friends and family dislike snakes, but I can tell that they care enough about me and my interests to comment on how pretty the snake is or to listen to me rambling on about snakes. I do get SOME negative comments, but nothing impolite, mostly just playful.

I don't understand it really. If you posted a picture of you hugging your dog, you wouldn't expect someone who dislikes dogs to comment "Ewww" or anything.

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You took ALL the words out of my mouth (saved me a job ). [emoji4]

I'm wondering, as regards specifically snakes , if it's just the way we are all kinda programmed by our families to protect us and by the media in general ??

Going back 50 years or so when I was a kid ( I'm 60 now ) the only time I saw a snake was on the telly and it was likely to be a scary looking Cobra striking at someone or if we went to the local Zoo there'd only be a few snakes ... usually huge dirty brown Boas or Burms lying motionless in the corner about 8' away .. I don't even recall seeing a real snake's head or face ..

So those images stuck with me for decades .. scary or just boring .

Thankfully being an animal lover they always intrigued me but it was only when I saw and held a beautiful yellow Butter Corn snake that it dawned on me that were beautiful, colourful and friendly snakes in the world ..

That's when my addiction kicked in !


To answer the question ...

I used to tell anyone and everyone as I was so proud of my beautiful snakes and wanted people to know that they didn't have to be scary or bland looking ... sadly the general reactions were negative..... from scowls to disgust with a just a few intrigued ones ..

I now 'play the percentages' and rarely mention it nowadays

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by PhilyD

I never thought about this until recently but I just recently got my first BP whom I absolutely adore. I have posted a couple pictures of her on facebook and Instagram and have received some snake hate from folks who don't usually comment at all on anything and the rest of my friends have stayed silent. I usually pretty positive reactions from friends and family on my pics and comments but when I post snake stuff I get like to 2 likes, 2 negative comments and crickets.

Makes me wonder if I just shouldn't bother posting my snake pics.

Do you have reactions like this? Do you just not post snake stuff on facebook?

As an extension I have also had pretty negative reactions from friends and family that I have told about my snakes in person. A real close friend declared that he would never come to my house again.

Not sure how to react to this kind of stuff. As I said I am really new to reptile keeping in general.

Thanks,

Phily D

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I'm going to try to make this simple: YOU DO YOU.


Don't let other people's opinions rent space in your head. If you enjoy posting pics, post pics.

I got rid of my FB years ago. My life is better without the drama and all the BS. If I want to know what Tony had for lunch, I'll ask him. I already know who is vegan or does cross fit, don't need to hear about it 13x a day. Nor do I need people offering their two cents at 2am written in what can only be described as Drunkanese.
...but that's ME!!! More power to those who care to share that stuff. I simply choose not to follow it.

Bottom line, do what makes YOU happy. I leave you with a Ben Harper lyric:

"My choice is what I choose to do
and if I'm causing no harm it shouldn't bother you.
Your choice is who who choose to be
and if you're causing no harm then you're alright with me."

I’ve only recently shared some photos of my critters on FB, mostly the newest 4 BP’s because I was so excited to get them. I don’t have a huge FB friend list, maybe 20-25, predominantly family and close friends, so the majority already know I’m a snake nut. There’s only one friend, his wife, and one of my sisters that are into reptiles, so they are always positive. A couple of cousins will remark on their beauty, even if they wouldn’t get near them with a ten foot pole. :rolleyes:

I’ve only had one person make a really negative comment (kill it, run over it with my Suburban), which was easy enough to delete from my thread. I understand his post, he is terrified of snakes...truly phobic. He most likely was quite unhappy when a large picture of a snake popped up on his feed. He has been to my house, and does okay because the snakes are in a separate room in locking cages. There is no chance of a slithering surprise in the living room and he can’t seem them, so they aren’t there. lol

So with that long winded reply, enjoy posting your babies. As others have said, you could be the catalyst that changes someone’s perspective or makes them take a step towards getting one of these incredible animals. And you can always post here for the positive feedback. :D

What I would really love to do is inspire people to look at these creatures with an open mind. My mind was changed drastically the first time I held a BP and a corn snake on the same day. Monday I hated snakes and feared them, Tuesday I held snakes and Wednesday I started researching how to keep them (figuratively of course). I would like to help change peoples minds so that the fear can die. I love my snakes like I love my dog and I think if I just keep sharing positive snake pics I might just dull down some of the fear and hate. If not at least I'll bring a little joy to those that appreciate them.

I know I'm totally playing off of stereotypes here, which I know oftentimes aren't even true, but I find it hilarious that since I got my snake, the majority of people who are afraid of her/disgusted are actually "tough" men! Lol...my aspiring-forest-ranger brother can't stand them and I've gotten far more "eww"s from my male friends and acquaintances than I would've imagined. My boyfriend really loves her though, which I'm happy about since he was pretty ambivalent when I first pitched the idea to him (he wants a bull snake now, he saw one and thought it was adorable). By and large though, it's all my female friends, even the "girlier" ones that think she's the coolest thing! I send my mom pictures and she posts them on Facebook talking about her "granddaughter", ahaha.

It's kind of upsetting though, when my mom or I share images of her how many people openly voice their disgust with my much-loved pet and feel it's totally ok to be mean because she's a snake...I've never been a fan of small dogs, but god forbid I wrote how I really felt about them on somebody's random picture of Fluffy! all hell would break loose in those comments ;)

I hate to generalize, purpleroan, but like you, I find more gals (like myself) that are open-minded about snakes (or really love them) than men also.
But it won't stop me from trying to show people how cool snakes really are...and we DO change some minds. :gj:

I usually only post snake pics in some of the FB groups I'm in but after reading this thread again. I think I'll start posting more. I could care less about the haters, and like Philly D said, maybe I can even ignite an interest in someone else.

I deleted my Facebook account or year or two ago and I’m very happy about it. Life is actually higher quality not looking at the stupid feeds on Facebook and listening to everyone’s crazy opinions. Plus I’m the type to not to hold back, so if someone posted something negative like, “oh snakes are evil, I should run your Snakes over with a truck.” I would respond, “yeah, well dogs eat too much, they stink, they have fleas and crap everywhere, so I should run over your stupid dog!”
I’m just not Facebook material. [emoji23]

I have to admit I didn’t read the original post and the ones before it before posting (sorry it was like 2am here..half asleep!) but I’m “relieved” I spose might be the word to see that others find the same issues on social media. At least I know I’m not the only one who thinks it’s absurd how acceptable verbal/written cruelty towards our pets is. But I agree with Bogertophis, we should all still make the effort to educate others!

The only really negative reaction I ever got was from my evil step-mother. When I expressed interest in getting a snake, she told me in no uncertain terms that she would never set foot in my house again if she knew there was even one snake in there.

I went to the snake store the next day! Haven't seen the witch since!

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Originally Posted by JRLongton

The only really negative reaction I ever got was from my evil step-mother. When I expressed interest in getting a snake, she told me in no uncertain terms that she would never set foot in my house again if she knew there was even one snake in there.

I went to the snake store the next day! Haven't seen the witch since!

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"Is that a promise?" :rofl: Perfect solution! :D

My more religious family members shun me for having snakes since the whole Eve/Serpent/Apple thing. Too soon perhaps?

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Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

I usually only post snake pics in some of the FB groups I'm in but after reading this thread again. I think I'll start posting more. I could care less about the haters, and like Philly D said, maybe I can even ignite an interest in someone else.

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I'm not personally a fan of Facebook or a FB-user, but it's a way of showing people what you're about. It's not the only way either. No matter what means each of
us feels comfortable with, I do think it's important not to hide our love of snakes. As more people (the 'haters') are forced to realize there are more of us than they
thought, it takes some of the wind out of their sails. For those who take the time to actually know us, we reflect possitively (I hope) on the hobby and some people
finally do get curious enough to want to meet our pets. I have never minded being called "Snake Lady". :D

If someone suggested to me that they'd love to "run over my snake" or similar hate, I am too much of a dog-lover to hint of doing the same to their dog, but what I
WOULD say to them is that their hate is the equivalent of someone doing that to their pet or children, & how would THEY like it said? Maybe that would sink in?:confusd:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

My more religious family members shun me for having snakes since the whole Eve/Serpent/Apple thing. Too soon perhaps?

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It's hard to communicate with those not living in the same century...you have my sympathy.

Overall the reactions I've experienced have been pretty positive- some people are not thrilled, but no one has threatened to burn my apartment down or run over my snake. Actually, I've run into quite a few people who either own or have owned snakes or other reptiles, some in quite unexpected places (apparently both of my bosses at both of my jobs had reptiles at one point in time!).

I've gotten the most positive reception at the library I work at, even though quite a few people there are not what I would categorize as being super fond of unconventional pets. However, they were still curious when they found out, and still ask questions about Horatio and my experiences keeping him. Maybe it helps that he is a bright yellow fellow, and not a traditional snakey-color? There is one lady who is absolutely terrified of snakes, and so I just respectfully refrain from discussing him or whipping out a picture when she's around.

Surprisingly, my dad has been the family member who's been the most receptive my foray into snake ownership, although he's had to overcome a few shocking revelations- the fact that I was getting a snake to begin with, that he was coming all the way from Florida ("You couldn't find a local snake?!" :rofl:), and that I know exactly what day is birthday is. My sister has been the most negative by far- normally a very intelligent human, she first stated that she would never come over if I got one, and has insisted since then that Horatio is plotting to eat me, and one day he will decide it is time to make me dinner and thus will grow sufficiently larger by sheer force of will. :confusd: I did make her meet him, and she is perhaps not so negative now, although she still insists that he's plotting... Something. :weirdface

As far as Facebook goes, I'm pretty sure that if other people my age can post pictures of their child's poop on their carpet, I should be able to post pictures of my perfectly clean, poop-free snake without complaint. :D

Like others said you just keep doing you. After all the snake is for you and whatever anybody else thinks is for them. Just ignore or block them if it's bothersome. It'd be nice if people would keep their negative comments to themselves, but it's just not a realistic expectation with a lot of folks and social media amplifies it because there is a disconnect. It's easier to be a prick through a keyboard than if you were face to face. Some feel the need to throw negativity at others whether it's out of spite or just to nurture their own insecurities. It's unfortunate but that's a whole other conversation. Most people just aren't very informed and/or are just plain scared of them because of some leftover and a lot of times irrational fear/beliefs. Most people just don't do the "creepy crawlies." They're largely misunderstood and I think that's why I've always been so attracted to them. Do what makes YOU happy. Don't give them that power.

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Originally Posted by Pengil

... My sister has been the most negative by far- normally a very intelligent human, she first stated that she would never come over if I got one, and has insisted since then that Horatio is plotting to eat me, and one day he will decide it is time to make me dinner and thus will grow sufficiently larger by sheer force of will. :confusd: I did make her meet him, and she is perhaps not so negative now, although she still insists that he's plotting... Something. :weirdface....

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That sounds like she fell for the old myth that a snake lying next to you is somehow "measuring you" for consumption. :rofl: Maybe she picked that up from someone
when she was much younger & it's still there subconsciously?

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

That sounds like she fell for the old myth that a snake lying next to you is somehow "measuring you" for consumption. :rofl: Maybe she picked that up from someone
when she was much younger & it's still there subconsciously?

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Yeah, I guess she's seen somewhere that someone took their constrictor to the vet because it was suddenly growing massively, and the vet told them that the snake was preparing to eat the owner! I've pointed out the biological impossibility of such a thing, but am not sure if it sunk in. It's kind of odd, because she likes frogs and toads, and thinks I should trade my snake in for a chameleon of all things, but doesn't care for bearded dragons or geckos, so it's definitely a selective scaly reptile distaste.

The thing that I stress to friends and family when they are invited to my home but are squeamish about snakes, is how the snakes are secured. In other words, what type of locked (stress the "locked" part) enclosure that I am using for my snakes. I swear, it's amazing how many folks believe that I let my snakes run free in the house like a dog or a cat. lol

<><Peace

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Originally Posted by dadofsix

The thing that I stress to friends and family when they are invited to my home but are squeamish about snakes, is how the snakes are secured. In other words, what type of locked (stress the "locked" part) enclosure that I am using for my snakes. I swear, it's amazing how many folks believe that I let my snakes run free in the house like a dog or a cat. lol

<><Peace

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I get the same thing! If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked if I keep then in cages or let them roam the house, I could add at least one more snake with the complete setup...probably more.

On a positive note, because of the few FB posts I made about my pets, I had a conversation with some folks that I never would have expected to show interest. I go to some local classic car cruise-ins and one of the guys mentioned my snakes because he’d seen a recent post. That started a sideline conversation about the types of snakes I had. The first guy even brought up my posts to share photos. There were a couple of guys that didn’t care for snakes, but everyone was civil and most of the group seemed interested to hear a little about them. Even if I didn’t win anyone over to keeping snakes, I shared some info and it was a positive experience. A couple of the folks mentioned how pretty they were. I think it helps that the posts were about my BP’s and they are particularly cute. :D

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Originally Posted by dadofsix

... it's amazing how many folks believe that I let my snakes run free in the house like a dog or a cat....

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I get the same question...often from people who truly (!) should know better. :confusd: It's hard to believe so many people know SO little about snakes.

When I can keep a straight face, I like to concur, & I go on to describe the large pit in my living-room for door-to-door salespeople, until I can no longer suppress my
giggles. :D

First, keep doing what you are doing. Enjoy your reptiles and your passion.

Many people do not understand how we can enjoy, and even love, these creatures. It's why we have forums like this and we can share our passion with other like-minded people.

Secondly, how do my friends and family react?

Depends on the individual. Many of my friends tolerate the snakes, and many enjoy them, but still do not fully understand why I have 10 reptiles in my home. Many of my friends' kids get a kick out of them and I make a point to show them not to be afraid from a young age to be curious instead.

My niece, Meghan, has been posted all over this forum. She adores the reptiles, and now at almost 8, is allowed to hold them on her own (with close supervision). She thinks they are the best. She's also been to multiple reptile shows with us.

My family is mixed. My Mother, used to hate snakes, but she has come along way. She really enjoys holding them now and asks for updates on her grand-snakes and grand-lizards. She is a real dog person, but has a told me recently, how she's come to see the fun in watching the reptiles grow, interacting with them, and their individual personalities.

My step-father tolerates them and watches my mother hold them, etc. However, he won't touch them, and does not understand why either me, Katie, or my mom, likes them so much. To him, they don't have fur, and they don't cuddle, so what's the point?

My in-laws do not like them, don't understand, and stay far away. My father-in-law call them critters. The other day they were over and I introduced them to Ezzy. Katie's mom took a step back every time she moved and her dad called her a critter. When he called Ezzy a "critter," his wife got upset and told him to be respectful, "that's your daughter's critter!" That's a huge step. They use to cringe every time I mentioned one, forget seeing them.

Katie, my fiancé, is another success story. She was never afraid of them, but used to be indifferent. She was not crazy about me moving in with all the tanks and animals (especially the insect eating Leopard Geckos). Now she loves them and even has her very own Leachie (Esmeralda) living in her office. She helps feed the corn snakes now and adores baby Solana. We just got an Albino Carpet Python yearling, Yafe, and he had a full blown RI 2 days after receiving him. Katie came with me to vet until 3AM 2 days after we got him, and has been administering his injection every 3 days (10 injections in total - and after 2 he's already improving dramatically) while I hold him steady. She's come a really long way. .

Here's my mom holding Behira (2 year old BCI) and with Esmeralda (Ezzy) the Leachie on her back:

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/NTMv9fv.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/KfdOshG.jpg[/IMG]

Your mom is adorable. Mine is no longer around, but she was just as tolerant of my snakes, once she saw how easily I interacted with them. She was always
a dog-lover, but while snakes are a different sort of pet, they show personality & accept handling without a fuss, & considering that her mom (my late grand-
mother) HATED snakes, my mom had a pretty open mind about them. Progress...:cool:

I think for MOST people that I've met, it comes down to "seeing is believing": once they see me handling my snakes close up, those who profess to "hate snakes"
come away with a whole different perspective, because all that time they justified their opinion because "all snakes bite". After watching me handling a snake,
many if not most can't resist touching or holding it too...I get such a kick out of seeing minds changed. When snakes are clearly NOT "evil" or scary, most folks
are relieved & then curious.

It's when they AREN'T seeing our snakes that more people spout their nasty hate comments, because it's hard to argue with what's right in front of them. :rolleyes:

I've had mixed reactions.
On one hand my sister-in-law doesn't want to see even pictures of the snake, since she has a severe phobia. But she'll still let her kids look.
One that was a surprise to me was my grandmother. When I showed her Nagini she was absolutely thrilled, even though my dad was nervous. Apparently she used to volunteer for the zoo and show the public different animals. She says snakes were her favorite, since people thought they were slimy. But if she could get them to touch them they were surprised and usually calmed down. Now she tells me that story every time I mention Nagini.

But I do try to get people to meet Nagini, since I find that makes the biggest difference. Its how I warmed up to snakes after all.:snake:

I have to keep my snakey and tarantula posts to a minimum because I am not allowed pets in my building.

People are much more freaked out and opinionated about my tarantula than they are the python, though. I have noticed that many of my friends who grew up on farms are the ones who want nothing to do with the snake.

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Originally Posted by Florence_Bones

I have to keep my snakey and tarantula posts to a minimum because I am not allowed pets in my building.

People are much more freaked out and opinionated about my tarantula than they are the python, though. I have noticed that many of my friends who grew up on farms are the ones who want nothing to do with the snake.

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That's too bad (about your friends that grew up on farms) because around here many I've talked to seem to realize the value of snakes as far as controlling rodents on
their farms. Many tell me that the only snakes they object to are the venomous ones. Lots of people are freaked about spiders, & tarantulas are "spiders on steroids",
lol...my mom was always phobic about spiders, but I've kept a golden huntsman as well as a huge female tarantula before. I like snakes way better, but all life forms
are interesting & have value.

I like watching tarantula videos. Their husbandry fascinates me.
Nevertheless, I don't think I'd want one in my house!

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Originally Posted by Florence_Bones

I have noticed that many of my friends who grew up on farms are the ones who want nothing to do with the snake.

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That's odd. My husband and I get calls to remove snakes from people's garages/basements/etc. (local AC and LE refer them to us, we do it free) and there are several local farmers who have said that they would appreciate every eastern black rat snake we release by their grain silos to help keep the rodents in check.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

That's odd. My husband and I get calls to remove snakes from people's garages/basements/etc. (local AC and LE refer them to us, we do it free) and there are several local farmers who have said that they would appreciate every eastern black rat snake we release by their grain silos to help keep the rodents in check.

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Some of that might be dependent on location of the farmer. Most of the farmers or homesteaders I know around here (central VA) like black snakes and rat snakes for the rodent control. My buddy in NC is in an area with a lot of water moccasins and the occasional rattler or copperhead. He leases his land for farming and everyone is tolerant of black snakes and chicken snakes (haven’t a clue what those are), but if it looks too much like one of the 3 venemous snakes they eliminate it first and identify second. In all fairness, I can’t blame them but so much when they have pets, children, and field hands in and around the fields. Ideally everyone could coexist, but the water moccasins in particular haven’t gotten that memo...they have come after retreating people, even when they are on equipment. :snake2:

Chiming in late and didn't read most posts.

I post on fb and I get likes a lot. However I had someone say to put a disclaimer then to scroll to see the pics. I'm like nope my feed my posts hide me or delete me. I don't censor for your insecurities.

My my mom was like why snakes? Cause they are cute, and cuddly and I call them George lol. She said why don't you get a pet with a personality. I literally LOL'd. Ummm they do mom...they do.

BF's granddaughter, who is just a toddler, got upset at a PetSmart because she wasn't allowed to handle the snakes. Later that day, she wandered out to the back porch, and her dad found her holding a tiny Sonoran Gopher (? - something Pitt, looks just like my SG). He snapped a photo. She was in LasVegas this weekend, and her mother sent over a few pics with her face reflected in the glass, gazeing at green tree pythons. (Exotic Pets Las Vegas??? - I don't know where they were, but that would be a likely spot.)

She was cute when they last visited about two months ago. She left the meal we were having and ran into the snake room. I followed, and found her pounding on the glass of the cornsnake's viv, demanding, "Come out!" I don't trust her quite yet with any of my collection - she is exciteable, and doesn't quite know her own strength. She loves watching them.

If she is good next time, I'll bring a couple out for her.

Reminds me of the girl from memo. "Fishy why are you sleeping"! Shaking bag killing said fish lol.

I also was was thinking about making a post about big box stores (which I work at one) we are not petting zoos and I do not take my animals out for people. So a crying child just makes me say no with even more umph. Lol.

I am am glad she has a passion and will likely grow into (with proper adult guidance) being able to hold reptiles she loves.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

That's too bad (about your friends that grew up on farms) because around here many I've talked to seem to realize the value of snakes as far as controlling rodents on
their farms. Many tell me that the only snakes they object to are the venomous ones. Lots of people are freaked about spiders, & tarantulas are "spiders on steroids",
lol...my mom was always phobic about spiders, but I've kept a golden huntsman as well as a huge female tarantula before. I like snakes way better, but all life forms
are interesting & have value.

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I agree! I never in my life thought I'd have a pet tarantula, but the universe brought her to me, and I think the world of her.