How do they feel about it? (know any ophidiophobes?) :D

[Bhikku]

So, snake wranglers/amateur herps, how do your family members/friends/roommates feel about your snakes and/or other reptiles?

My housemate is neutral towards "tank pets" even though he gets irritated by the dog and cats and is not an animal person in general - I'm convinced he views my ball python Naga as a needy pet rock. He's not afraid of her, but he has no desire to handle her.

All of my female friends are horrified at the thought of even being in the same building as a snake (even one as gentle and harmless as a ball) and I haven't even told my mother I got a python because I'm afraid she'd have a coronary on the spot. My dad had a reticulated python when they were dating (a monster named Fred) and my mother made him get rid of it before she would marry him (refused to live in the same house as a snake that could take out jumbo rats and small rabbits!)

God forbid I tell her I am planning to start a morph breeding program sometime in the future.

Anybody know some scaredy cats?

[mainbutter]

You're a big boy, go ahead and tell her, and tell her if that she really loves you she'll accept you for who you are!

I haven't had a failure yet in getting any of my friends to handle Kitty (my coastal carpet python), and certainly no problems getting anyone to handle my crested geckos.

[Raptor]

My family doens't care about Morana. My step-dad wants a really bright red/orange cornsnake. Mom is neutral. Thinks the mice are cute more than anything. Step-sister..No idea. Friend thinks my cornsnake is great. I've let him handle her and feed her.

I can't really think of anyone who's scared O.o

[Bhikku]

You're a big boy, go ahead and tell her, and tell her if that she really loves you she'll accept you for who you are!

Big girl.

But I understand what you mean. I am going to tell my folks fairly soon, after I've had the snake a few months. After all, I am a grown *** woman who lives on my own, so what are they going to do about it?

One snake I think they'd be able to handle pretty well. It's when I start collecting them like baseball cards that my family is going to think I've lost what remaining marbles I have. I started school as a zoology major, so I doubt they will be blown away with surprise or anything though.

I can't really think of anyone who's scared O.o

Lucky! There are a lot of poisonous snakes around here (coral snakes, cottonmouths, copperheads, rattlesnakes) so I think they're viewed as more dangerous than anything in these parts...not exactly a popular pet by any stretch of the imagination. I don't know a single other person in real life who owns one.

[mainbutter]

Big girl.

lol my bad! Internet names are sometimes ambiguous.

[mainbutter]

Lucky! There are a lot of poisonous snakes around here (coral snakes, cottonmouths, copperheads, rattlesnakes) so I think they're viewed as more dangerous than anything in these parts...not exactly a popular pet by any stretch of the imagination.

I spent much of my childhood growing up in eastern TX and Louisiana.. Needless to say there were plenty of copperheads and cottonmouths around.

My mom thought it was cool when I caught a baby copperhead, though told me never to do it again. I could tell she was more interested in the snake than the fact that I might have been sent to the hospital

[Bhikku]

lol my bad! Internet names are sometimes ambiguous.

Haha, s'okay, I get it all the time. Apparently I write like a man.

Everyone I have told that I got a python thinks that I have lost my friggin' mind. Except my roomie, who is neutral, but implores me to please not stumble onto any more dogs or cats. :p

[BPelizabeth]

Well I live in the total suburbia...in fact this community has been rated one of the top 10 planned communities in the US. So imagine soccer mom hell! Crap....I'm one...lol!! I am 43 years old with a 9 yr old son, upper middle class, and I am an aide at my son's school part time. You would take a look at me and NEVER think.....oh she has snakes. My friends FREAK OUT....look at me like I have totally lost it. In fact I think my "standing" in the community has dropped a bit.....lol. Every single person that I know...once they find out is like....Really...I would of never guessed that about you. Apparently I am a little too "upity" for that.... Little do they know!! The best part is ...their kids...are totally into it. I have kids come over all the time asking if they can "visit" the snakes. It's hilarious!!

My husband and I went to the jewelry store the other day that we always shop at....Personally I think they see my husband coming a mile away!! So of course they pounce on us as we walk hoping that the hubby will drop some serious cash on more diamonds. They were like cmon...you should pick out something for your Christmas present. I told them I already got my Christmas present. Of course they wanted to know what it was...I hesistated and beat around the bush for quite a while not wanting to tell them.....but finally said...Oh a Butter Ball Python. I thought the lady was going to fall over. If I could take a picture of their faces....priceless!!

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

LOL thats awesome!!

At my work they call me the snake lady. Even the people that are afraid of snakes are always asking to see pictures. It amazing how they are afraid at first but they have so much curiosity that it usually isnt long before they want to know more about them.

Its actually very good that people like you are helping to spread the word that snakes are not just for a certain type of people.

I also live in a suburbian middle class neighborhood about a mile from all the theatres, malls, plazas, resturants etc.. Im actually afraid of what my neighbors would think if they had any idea I have a room full of snakes, mice, rats, and ASF's. LOL I know one that would be scared to death!

[Moofins07]

My mom's odd when it comes to this subject. I just can't seem to read her. She held my little ball once, and then on another occasion, I asked her if she would like to hold her again, and she said "no". I asked, "Why not?", and she told me, "Not all people are as fond of snakes as you are."

So I was like:

My brother's jealous, I think. Anytime he's holding her, he stares at the thing like he's enamored with her. My father tolerates the idea, but will never hold her.