Weird snake guy????

Our family just got a normal CCB BP about 3 weeks ago. I've always had a fascination for reptiles (all animals in general) so we decided it would be a great addition to our growing list of pets. When I was younger, I had a garter snake and also a boa constrictor. Getting the snake "for the kids" was really an excuse to allow myself to get one.

It's been very interesting to me what most peoples reactions have been when I've told them about our new pet. Most people cringe and have a look for pure disgust on their faces when I tell them. I even had someone say that simply because of owning a BP, a normal person like me would now be deemed the "weird snake guy". It just amazes me at the misconceptions that people have about snakes (and reptiles in general).

Is there a negative social stigma associated with owning snakes? Have any of you run into the same issue? While we've only had him for 3 weeks now, I'm already starting to think about adding other snakes to our collection and maybe even one day, taking a shot at breeding, but I'll admit that I do care what others think and I don't want to be known as the weird snake guy.

--Steve

Hehe....I can relate!!


I'm a 40 year old mom of three kids...wife to a long-term career military guy who is an officer in the AF and will likely be a Squadron Commander next year. (Which will make me the Commanding Officer's Wife -- COW :P ). It just doesn't get any more ordinary and "mainstream" than that. I don't have any tats...nor any unusual piercings. I don't wear outrageous clothes or look mean or anything. I go to Church and love the Lord and do my best to live for Him.

It's everything that is completely opposite of the stereotypical idea of the "weird snake guy/lady" brought on by ignorance and misunderstanding within the general populace.

And quite frankly....I'm learning to use all of that as a means of educating people. I rarely get a look of "pure disgust" when it comes up that I keep and love snakes. Usually it's more of a shock-n-awe sort of expression. :giggle: And once they get over that, they may shudder a little and say how much snakes creep them out....but the door is suddenly wide open to discuss WHY they are so fascinating and wonderful, because they truly want to know how someone so....ordinary...as myself would have such an odd fascination. :snake:

I'm also a stay at home mom, with two kids. I'm also a very 'ordinary' girl, and I always get 'why do you let your husband have a snake?' Then I have to inform them that they are MY snakes and I have more than 1. :rolleyes:

Yes, I do get labeled the weird snake lady but it doesn't bother me.... much. I've just moved, and I'm not so sure that people here will take it as well so I plan on keeping them to myself for the time being. I have never lost a friend over it, house guests don't tend to stay as long, and I never have to have a party at my house so it works out in my favor anyway. :D

Yeah lots of people give me a hard time.
Especially when they find out what I feed them... :mouse2:

A lady who sits next to me actually gets ANGRY at me and has said some pretty mean things about my pets... so I dont talk about it much anymore at work.
and even if I talk about it a little she makes a big deal out of little things...

Last week a learnt how to put my rats asleep without "wacking" them. I can use baking soda and vinager to make CO2... so I was explainig this to my friend next to me and she over heard us and flipped right out and said no one whats to hear about your rats... but I wasnt even talking to her.

But I just hate when she says mean things about my snakes and when I say something mean about her dog or cat she gets mad. Whats the diff. They are all pets! GESH!

Sorry about my little rant but I understand where you are coming from 'sgarelick"!! and it PISSES me off! AHHH

Well, apparently almost everyone at work (even people I don't know personally) know that I keep snakes. This is a company with about 500 people locally, and two offices in Atlanta. I'm always amazed when someone I correspond with, but haven't met yet will ask me about my snakes. I'll say "how do you know I have snakes?" And the answer is usually "everyone knows you have snakes".


My boss is particularly interested and makes it a point to bring it up when he thinks someone else doesn't know about them, but not in a malicious way - because he's genuinely interested and is trying to understand when I explain morphs, etc. He was very impressed when I brought him the program from Daytona and he could see just how many tables there were at the show. Being a business man - the size and scope of the interest in reptiles made him take pause and see the credibility in this hobby.

Ohhhh yeah, I experienced that 10 fold.

My wifes aunt who was baby sitting 1-2 days a week while me and the wife went to work will no longer babysit or even step foot into my house now that I have a snake. To show the extent of this we just had my sons two year birthday party this past Saturday and she would not even attend his party. This is a person who was a big part of my sons life for the first year and a half to the point he always looked forward to seeing her. The way I see it, if she is willing to stop her relationship with my son because I own a snake then it's most likely for the better anyways. Her loss and a big loss at that. I am not going to live my life to cater to other people and their ignorance, simple as that.

My other life long friends responded with "why the F do you own a snake" and "why would you buy a snake" when I told them. That did'nt even deserve a response IMHO.

I get the same type of mentality when it comes to my tattoos and to be quite honest it doesnt phase me in the least.

That's about the time I ask people why they own yappy, peeing-on-carpet, bitey, jumping-up-on-people, little dogs. Or why people buy large predatory cats.

I always just tell them, "My snakes don't make noise, they don't mark or spray the house, they only eat once per week, they don't bite my neighbors, etc etc".

Try having about 50 tarantulas and a snake.

I have an 18 year old niece that use to come over and spend the night with my daughter quite a bit even with the tarantulas here. We got a BP a couple of months ago and she now refuses to come over. We have tried to reassure her that the enclosure is closed in a way that the snake cannot escape. That doesn't seem to make a difference.

People usually give me this look of "you have what?" I also look like the normal mom. My husband and I are active in our church. We are Youth Pastors as well as me being the choir leader.

I was telling my husband that I need to get some tattoos and peircings so people aren't so surprised when they find out what kind of pets I have. Of course, I was just kidding. Although, I have been wanting a tattoo for many years.

The thing I hate is when people refuse to listen to you when you try to explain that snakes aren't slimy and gross. They are usually too busy squirming around to pay attention. The people, not the snakes.

I get all sorts of "I don't know how you sleep at night" "They are so slimey" "That's so gross" "Why would you keep something like that?"

I also get a lot of that kind of thing from my grandmother. She HATES snakes and reptiles in general. Your old fashioned afraid of mice, afraid of insects, afraid of snakes kind of gal.

I just shrug it off and tell those that give me reactions like the ones above. "Well if you've never actually touched one or spent time with one, you really can't make that kind of judgement, can you?" Then I walk away. It leaves them thinking though. I've even convinced my mom to pet my corn snake before, so thats progress right there.

i've never understood why people are so paranoid about snakes, whem i bought my 1st bp my dad said "it's gonna wrap around the baby's neck in the middle of the night" i just laughed and said, do you know how silly that sounds, the snake doesn't come out of his cage unless i take him out i tell him and he would have plenty of things to do other than go up 3 flights of stairs to the baby's room lol, after about 5 visits here and always inquiring about the snake, he finally held him the other week and now he's all receptive to them lol

When I was telling my homeschooling group that we just ordered a pair and how excited we are a couple shuddered but were supportive, and quite a few asked when we can have a snake day at my house. We're all a pretty open minded bunch, though. I haven't really said anything to anyone else about it, but I am sure that there will be some people who have issues with it. People have issues with me not being in the workforce, raising out children in our religion, and homeschooling, so this is just another one to add to the pile.

i haven't really had any 'extreme' reactions from people. i just get the dumbfounded stares because, apparently, girly girls are supposed to hate snakes! damn! i wish someone had told me this BEFORE i bought two of 'em! now what am i gonna do with them??? guess i better just keep 'em...
the only person who really objected when we got them was my mother-in-law-to-be. surprise there, right? but we've actually been able to convince her to touch one so she doesn't mind them so much. she still won't let matt's lil bro ryan get one tho! lol

I get varying degrees of shock and horror, but none were more priceless to me than my future mother-in-law. She thinks my little ball pythons are going to kill my dogs and my guinea pigs. Despite my efforts to explain that they are harmless and not venomous (posionous, as she puts it, of course), she thinks I have these dangerous creatures lurking in my home ready to attack at any moment. One thing did piss me off... She told my boyfriend, 'Why would anyone keep snakes? It must be to get attention.' :mad: :stab:

yup i can relate as well...even though i've only had my snake for less than a year it took me about 3 to convince my mom so when i went to college i just bought one and brought it home and she had to deal lol...first she freaked out and said to take it out of the house cuz it was the devil and it would bring bad luck (my family's hispanic and hardcore catholics aka the snake made adam and eve eat the apple)...but eventually she held it and what not...she didn't accept the snake but yet she doesn't mind the lion we have in our house in mexico :confused:

this is megala the female african lion...she is one kewl kat :cool: lol

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/files/6/3/4/0/meg.bmp

I think once someone actually gets to touch a snake or other type of reptile, they are less likely to condsider it gross or slimy or weird. My mom went from hating snakes to "Ok, I'll pet it, but thats it." Some of my friends still think I'm weird, along with classmates, but once I got to bring Zim, my corn snake to school and changed a few people's minds about snakes. One girl in particular was intent on letting the whole class know that she hated snakes. Kept making a big deal of scooting away from me whenever I moved the snake to show someone else.

Lol, Judy, I SO understand the shock-n-awe experience. Here I am, typical midwestern girl. Pretty conservative, try to stay a little mainstream, wear nice clothes, have a great job, yadda yadda yadda...


And I tell people I have snakes and jaws just drop all over the place! Lol. WHAT??? YOU...... have SNAKES?

I love it :D And I REALLY love explaining and teaching about them after the whole shock thing has worn off. "Yes, I have snakes. And, no, they're not disgusting."

I have never been much of a conformist so wierd snake dude doesn't really bother me. I don't tell my neighbors i have 20 gazillion snakes in my house and a greenhouse full of rats. I don't want to freak anyone out or draw unneeded attention to myself or animals. I am waiting for someone to ask me why am I always cleaning plastic tubs and bowls in my gagarge sink and driveway? I am a contractor and also grow MANY orchids so I can always use that as an excuse. I guess when you are 6'2" and hair halfway down your back people don't ask you too many questions :D

I just like to call my snake " MOTHER IN LAW REPELLENT" in fact I may lable his tub with that. It seems to work very,very well.


This one time it was a really nice day and I was taking Houdini, out side and I had to go up and pay the rent at the office. Where they are always happy to see him, they love him. I noticed this little old lady was in the office, so not wanting to scare her to death I patiently waited outside with Houdini out of site until she left. Well she must have seen him. She says "oh is that a snake" and I said yes. She says, oh Bless your heart, most people would kill those creatures and she asked to touch him. I was like :O I couldn't believe it. I figured this lady who had to be pushing 107 lol would have clocked me upside the head with her hand bag. Totally the opposite.


I also get the people who are disgusted, scared, curious and all the others. I don't mind it, it gives me the opportunity to share with people and show them there is no harm in keeping snakes as pets and that they aren't monsters.

My b/f and friends call me "the snake girl". When they find a wild snake or reptile they call me asking me info on it. LOL I don't mind. I do get a lot of "you are crazy" "Don't you worry one is going to kill you in your sleep?" "snakes are so mean, why are yours so nice", etc etc. I just laugh and tell them that snakes do make the best pets. They are super easy to care for, don't make messes, don't make all kinds of noise at 3 in the morning, don't scratch, jump, bark, etc. At first most of my friends were a bit scared when I took my snakes out, but now they come over and get them out their selves. I've actually taken my corn snake out in public and I know I he changed a few peoples views about them. So that was good. The only downfall that I've ever had was back last winter when my b/f and I were split up and I was talking some other guy who was terrified of snakes. He didn't believe me that I had snakes till I brought one of them out and it litterally sent him screaming and running out my front door. Now I'm happy it happened because that guy was just a looser. ;) My b/f and I got back together and well I now kind of have him hooked. I'm glad he doesn't "hate" them anymore. So yup, I'm the weird snake girl but hey I love my snakes and wouldn't have it any other way.

I just laugh it off and then try to educate a few folks along the way. I'm so normal (mom, wife, typical stuff) that I guess some people just can't equate that with me also living with 21 snakes and a gecko. The only time I get upset with questions is the one about "won't the snakes kill your kids?". Now that one gets to me, I'll admit, because it assumes I'd put my children at risk. I usually take a deep breath and then remind people how many children are injured every year in their own homes or on the street due to dog bites, yet every other house has a dog.

We did do a snake show at our youngest son's school last year and that was very cool. Those little kids really got into the snakes and even some of the teachers got past their fears and were able to touch the snakes. :)

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Originally Posted by Lucero87

this is megala the female african lion...she is one kewl kat :cool: lol

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/files/6/3/4/0/meg.bmp

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Very cool! So is she like a zoo exhibit, or a pet? Can she be petted and played with?

no worries bro, ignore em. haha
I actually got into a BIG argument over it once.

I was holding a box of mice on a train on my way home from the city (nyc) and this lady asked me what was in the box, so I replied quietly mice (I wasnt sure if that was allowed on a train haha) and she asked why in disgust, So I said to feed my snakes. then she gave me this look like are you serious? and then she went on to tell me how snakes or "serpents" are evil and belong to the devil, and that meant I wasn't being a "Christian" (which I am not. I am atheist) and that made me a little angry so I said some things (and she kept going and going and going) and she flat out told me id go to hell with my snakes hahaha, im sure you most likely wont run into that problem (she was obviously insane) but the best strategy is to ignore them. (cause when you don't theres a chance they'll cause a scene in public and banish you too hell..hahaha)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SarahMB

Very cool! So is she like a zoo exhibit, or a pet? Can she be petted and played with?

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she is a 'pet' because she's still a wild animal and it requires a lot of respect, she's like a puppy dog and you can pet her she comes when you call but her size is incredible and teeth and paws are HUGE...not something i would want to experience.
when she was a cub she roamed around the house freely and she got used to everyone but we always have company and whatnot at that house so she can't be let loose.

Well that is just really neat, and what a unique experience. I would love to work with big cats in some way. For now I just run a Little Cat Sanctuary, hahaha.

I don't own a snake however i do handle them at my local zoo. My fav ball python is named Suzy. Pretty much I am a public speaker and educator about the animal i am holding at the time. I get mixed reactions. Everyone is different. More times then none I shock people with the info on how BP are calm docile animals. 90% of the people end up losing there fear for a couple seconds to touch Suzy!! I am so proud of them!!!

LOL, I tell them they are closed minded and uneducated. Go watch animal planet.