I get all of the same comments from my coworkers (mostly women) - "why do you have snakes?", then they cringe and squirm. I explain that they are not slimy, scary, etc. They won't get out at night and hunt me down (although I do fear them getting out but only because God knows where they would end up and I don't want to lose them, in any way). My best answer is that they are so darned interesting and I am learning something that, mostly does not frustrate me. I can't handle dumb pets (some dogs and cats are just plain dumb or stubborn or both) and don't like spending all my time trying to teach an animal where to go to the bathroom, to come, heel, etc. I love taking out my snakes and looking them over, letting them crawl over my shoulders, and head, on the computer and keyboard and all kinds of crazy places. I find it very relaxing and when it's time to put them back I am the one who is hesitant so if they turn to come out or stick up their head, I'm taking them back out again. I am trying to educate other people and I am not the stereotypical snake owner (at least not to my coworkers). I am an old fart, getting ready to retire and I envision that taking care of snakes and possibly breeding will be a big part of my retirement. I have shown the snakes to kids in the neighborhood and tried to show them how to handle snakes, etc. - the kids do a lot better than the parents!
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