Negative comments

[Mc.mischievous7]

I have noticed that recently whenever someone take note that I have a snake as a pet, they say something negative. Like, "Hes going to eat you", "did you not hear about the woman who got ate by a python", "you are insane." I never knew that their were so many individuals put there in the world that were afraid or thought negatively about a snake. Like I had someone who ask me if I did my research on snakes. As if I got my snake spontaneously. Yes, I did my research. When I was in the proof getting a snake all I wanted was a pet to have around and not your normal pet either. But I never expected so many negative comments. I will be lying if I said it didn't effect me a little bit. Does anyone else have to do deal with this or is it just me?

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[JRLongton]

If somebody had asked me "if I did my research", I'd look 'em square in the eye and say "nope! Why? Is there anything I should know?" Just to see what they would say.

[SquirmyPug]

It doesn't matter if other people don't like snakes, YOU DO. It's your pet, they don't have to interact with it.

[Craiga 01453]

Yup, we've all heard it. As long as people know we keep snakes, we'll get the negative, ignorant comments.

Brush it off, educate them if they're willing to listen and move on with your day.
Snakes definitely aren't for everybody (that's probably what attracts many of us to the hobby in the first place) and that's ok. It would be a boring world if we all liked the same stuff.

You do you. Do what makes YOU happy. Learn to ignore the ignorant and enjoy your pet.

[Tonald Drump]

In my opinion, this is probably just another part of your experience in snake-keeping. I've had my fair share of people who won't enter my house because of my BP. I think, you should take the fact that you own a relatively harmless snake, and make it an opportunity to educate and inform the so-called "haters" that snakes aren't bloodthirsty man hunters

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[pbenner]

We brought home (2) from Tinley in October, both ball pythons. My sister took pictures to work because she was so excited about them and every one of her coworkers shunned her.


Sad, but it happens.

On the flip side, my first Ball Python helped to win over the love of a self professed "kill it on sight snake hater" that was my step-aunt. There is a picture around somewhere of her holding that snake by the end of the 3 weeks at my house.

Win some lose some.

Paul

[zina10]

Yes, we all do.

Those kind of comments don't bother me to much. Its just a fact that many people have a fear of snakes. Growing up, you are bombarded with seeing snakes in a negative way. You hear it from family members and friends as you grow up, you see them portrayed negatively in movies, on the news, nowadays on the internet and social media. For many people it developed into a phobia.

They just repeat what they have heard and seen all their lives. Its our opportunity to educate just a little bit here and there. And sometimes it does do some good. There are many people in my life that now comment on how pretty the snakes are. They will still say they are afraid of them, but no more do I hear how "only a dead snake is a good snake" and other ignorant remarks from those people. Some of them have genuinely become interested in them. My sister has "adopted" (not actually, but she says she is the godmother) the last of my home bred hatchlings at my house and is already sad that she will be sold eventually. She watched that clutch come out of their eggs and I swear she sat in front of that incubator for longer periods of time just staring at eggs with slits in them, than I did All of my family used to fear and somewhat "hate" snakes. She named that little one, too.

Its just one of those things. You have to learn to let it roll off your skin. Try to educate and if people aren't open to it, just smile and ignore.

What ticks me off are the so called experts , going on how those animals only belong in the wild, how they must be so unhappy in their small enclosures. Usually from people like the one, who had 3 dogs run over cause she couldn't bother to contain them correctly. And those 3 were over a span of a couple of month, not like she couldn't fix things. Not only that, but she also keeps her horses sub par and had 3 cats disappear because she felt they would be "happier" outside.

But again, it does no good to argue with certain people. With some it is genuine concern, with others its just smug smart aleck attitude.

[Mc.mischievous7]

If somebody had asked me "if I did my research", I'd look 'em square in the eye and say "nope! Why? Is there anything I should know?" Just to see what they would say.

lmbo!!

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[Mc.mischievous7]

Thank you all for your inspiring words. I appreciate it! I was feeling some type of way this morning. I had vented to Mystic but ofc he wasnt paying attention to me. He was too busy moving around and flickering his tongue out exploring my room. He even slithered to me a couple of times this morning. Lol He's too funny sometimes. I dont regret getting him at all. He's my own unique pet.

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[distaff]

Some of it might simply be friendly teasing. Like someone above advised, just dish it back.

I've heard judgmental comments about pit-bulls, goldfish...whatever. Auto-selection weeds out the jerks.

Life is short. You can't please everyone.