I actually use to do this. Like 15 years ago. In my neighborhood at the time everyone loved my snakes. Its different now. The only person in my family who was not freaking out about me having snakes was my dad. He use to catch garter snakes in the yard when I was little and bring them to me.
Just remember this.. If anyone tries to compare your pets to their pets, tell them how much you hate little dogs, or cats, or hamsters etc and how you would kill one if it wandered into your yard... Changes the perspective a little...