I got my first snake on my 31st birthday, when it occurred to me that I -am- a grown-up, and I can decide what pets I have. I live on the other side of the country from my Mom, so it doesn't matter if reptiles freak her out, and I can jolly well have a snake if I want one. Or two. Or, um, ten.
And hey, I totally have dogs! For the record, two dogs are waaaaay more work than 10 snakes.