Snake reactions from your family and friends

[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

[EL-Ziggy]

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.

[hilabeans]

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.

[Bogertophis]

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.

[Sauzo]

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.

[PhilyD]

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

[PhilyD]

Bogertophis

Well spoken thank you for that!

[PhilyD]

Sauzo

Thank you

[Stewart_Reptiles]

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.

[Jus1More]

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!!!!