Made a someone less scared of snakes today!

[Emily Hubbard]

I had a friend visit me who has never been exposed to snakes. She had never touched one, so her fear was simply unfamiliarity. She was receptive and curious, so we went for it. I brought my little Zola out and let my friend touch her while I held her, and then asked her if she would like to hold the snake. She was tentative, but she did it! She was afraid of being bitten, which we may all chuckle at knowing from experience that ball pythons are about as docile as a garden hose, but for people who don't, it's a real fear. So I rested Zola's end with the teeth in my own hand while my friend held the back. When she got comfortable, I let go of the front half. Zola slowly curled back to climb up my friend's hand and she gasped and froze, but was very calm. I assured her the snake would not bite her and was merely curious.

I was so proud of her, she went from fear to learning and experiencing. She said my snake did not feel anything like what she expected, and she was surprised at how strong they feel. It was just really awesome, seeing that the misunderstanding is truly just born out of a lack of exposure. I don't think my friend is ever going to run out and buy a snake, but just seeing that she was willing to meet one and learn was really fun.

Using the gentle approach with people really works, and feeling them out. I would never put my snake into the hands of someone who was going to flip out and drop it. But when someone is curious and the encounter is on their terms, it can be really productive! Anyway, just wanted to share!

[Inarikins]

One of my roommates went from not wanting to look at my baby to picking up holding her (for it is a her, yay!) within three days. It's amazing what a little exposure and a docile snake can do for somebody that's afraid of them.

[luvmyballs]

Good job. It's awesome when we can bring someone over to our side.

[Jazi]

More and more it seems people are practically told to be afraid of snakes, or told that they are afraid of snakes, so when a snake is presented obviously the first thing they do is say "oh I don't like snakes/how they feel" without ever attempting to hold one.

One of my classmates is terrified of snakes and kept an eye on Quetzal the entire time I had him out once. Eventually I just told her to touch him and get it over with because I know this girl and I know that fear of the unknown was holding her back. She poked him in the side, shivered, and retreated... so she might not have lost her fear, but once she did that she was able to relax with me having him in my hands sitting next to her. She stopped watching him out of the corner of her eye like a trapped deer and began to curiously observe his behaviors instead, asking questions about why he did this or that. She might never touch another snake, she might never lose her fear, but she realized that she was making him seem a lot worse than he really is.

I think that's the cause of a lot of the fears. The unknown, so they just psych themselves out about it before they even get near the thing and by the time they're presented with it they just lose it. Good on ya for showing that to someone, we could always use an ally :3

[CherryPython]

It's a good feeling isn't it? Two months ago my boyfriend was petrified of snakes and with a bit of nudging, patience and some help from a gorgeous Boa called Karma, he now intends to fill our first home with all sorts!!

[CherryPython]

One of my classmates is terrified of snakes and kept an eye on Quetzal the entire time I had him out once

I had Munch out the other day at a friends house (needed her opinion on something) and her sister in law was there... She literally was watching him like a hawk. Munch went inside my hoodie and then proceeded to hook himself on my headphone loops, so I stood up and she must've thought I was going to move over to her because she panicked, shook her head at me and said "Don't come and sit over here!"

I'm not sure why but I grew up being scared of snakes, thinking they're ALL venomous and hellbent on killing xD Until I was about 10...but I was still scared of them until I was 18 Nobody ever taught me other wise.

[Jazi]

I had Munch out the other day at a friends house (needed her opinion on something) and her sister in law was there... She literally was watching him like a hawk. Munch went inside my hoodie and then proceeded to hook himself on my headphone loops, so I stood up and she must've thought I was going to move over to her because she panicked, shook her head at me and said "Don't come and sit over here!"

I'm not sure why but I grew up being scared of snakes, thinking they're ALL venomous and hellbent on killing xD Until I was about 10...but I was still scared of them until I was 18 Nobody ever taught me other wise.

She decided to tell me after I had him out that she was so scared... I saw her get bug-eyed when she actually saw him out but I had other friends over that wanted to see him so I figured she'd get over it in time, nope.

I was the little kid that had to be taught to fear snakes, and even then it was just a fear of getting bitten than the snakes themselves. But having been bitten and attacked by dogs and cats alike when I was a littling, I think I'll take Quetzal's velcro bites any day At least I don't have to run to the hospital for those.

[CherryPython]

She decided to tell me after I had him out that she was so scared... I saw her get bug-eyed when she actually saw him out but I had other friends over that wanted to see him so I figured she'd get over it in time, nope.

I was the little kid that had to be taught to fear snakes, and even then it was just a fear of getting bitten than the snakes themselves. But having been bitten and attacked by dogs and cats alike when I was a littling, I think I'll take Quetzal's velcro bites any day At least I don't have to run to the hospital for those.

Oh yeaahhhh, I'd take a bite from one of my two aaaanyday over a cat/dog bite/scratch. I've got a huge scar running from my shoulder to my thumb from my old cat who jumped on me when I was little, I let go but he'd dug his claws in and sort've...slid...down my arm. I'd take a billion Pretzel bites over that again!!!

[DooLittle]

It is amazing, how much a little exposure, (and contact, so long as they are willing) can help people get over their fear. I always love it when I can get a friend or family member who wasnt so sure about the snakes to hold one.

[emeraldwinter]

For the past 4 summers I've worked at a small zoo where we do "Meet The Keeper" Monday to Friday with various animals. Mondays and Fridays are reptile days and I usually bring out our super friendly red-tailed boa, Noah, or one of our BPs. Its so interesting to see people's reactions to the snakes. Somedays it's awesome to see people have a huge realization that they're not nasty, "slimy", creatures at all. Annnd other days it's sad to see people be terrified or be disgusted and obviously ignorant as they yank their children away and perpetuate the negative attitude. But it's definitely worth it for the spellbound, curious children who have to be torn away after 20 minutes of non-stop questions and as some petting