Are Snakes More of A Guy or A Gal Thing?

[Crazy4Herps]

In my family, there are actually more guys than girls... but all of the guys are terrified of the snakes! (Trust me, I have a great time with that! ) The only people I personally know who have any interest in reptiles are myself, my best friend, two of my cousins, and my vet... all women!

[Arsinoe]

This proving interesting so far. I would have thought guys would have had it hands down.

I, myself have never been interested in snakes until recently. I was never afraid of them, other than the 'healthy' fear, or shall we say respect of poisonous ones. But I never feared them because of superstitious/religious reasons.

[CA cowgirl]

I'm glad you posted this thread. I've recently added to my reptile collection EXPONENTIALLY. For two years I had just 2 smaller snakes - 1 ratsnake 1 western hognose. Then almost overnight (between August to November 2009) I am at almost 20.

I haven't had this many snakes since I was just out of high school. And boys were easy to come by back then, so I didn't worry if snakes would creep a guy out. Now I'm in my 30s, dating and thinking I'll get passed on by guys if they hear I have this many snakes. So I don't advertise it!

Now my motorcycle habit, I am not afraid to share. I think the difference is this: if I own one or two motorcycles that's fine. Its that I own a couple dozen snakes and it seems a bit of a compulsive/obsessive habit. And those things generally are a red flag. Does anyone think similarly? I know its a tough crowd to get an unbiased response.

The tactics that I use to convince myself its okay - its like tattoos - have you ever met someone with just one? Sure, but the ones with multiple tats outnumber those with just one. Snakes are similarly "appreciated." And, if I can keep up on their care to keep them well fed and always have clean cages and fresh water, then I'm not in over my head.

[CA cowgirl]

It looks like gals are winning so far, but I also feel that guys are a bit more likely to be snake owners. I am a corn snake breeder, and out of curiosity I went through my customer list and calculated the percentage of male vs. female buyers, and this is what I got: Approximately 52% were guys, and 48% were gals. I know that a fair amount of these customers were parents buying snakes for their kids or entire families, but if they are the person initiating the transaction and paying for the snake, I would assume they also have some part in its ownership and / or care. It will be interesting to see how this poll comes out. I kind of wonder if gals might be more likely to post on forums than guys, and if that could skew the results?

I too think that most owners of reptiles are males. And the poll will probably be inaccurate because of its optional to score a result and I too think gals might be more likely to be on the internet forums.

Although I think it is a lot like motorcycling. Women are gaining an interest and comfortability in the hobby and the numbers are growing!

From the internet... link

According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, between 1998 and 2003, the
number of female riders has increased approximately 34 percent. This number shows that roughly 4.3 million women motorcyclists out of 23.5 million people that operate a motorcycle or approximately 18 percent of all riders are women. "You’ve come a long way baby" because less than ten years ago women made up only 3 percent of all riders.

[Lolo76]

I had to vote "gals," since - well - I'm a gal with 16 snakes! I have also encountered more snake-fearing men than women, and it especially made me laugh when my roommate's ex was terrified... he was a 6'5" 30 year-old black man, who would shriek like a 12 year-old girl if the snake came within 10 feet of him. On the other hand, most women I tell about my snakes are fascinated and want to meet them. Even those who claim to be afraid will take a chance, and usually end up with one happily wrapped around their neck.

Oh, and I've always been interested in snakes & reptiles, so it's hard to say why or how.

[CA cowgirl]

I had to vote "gals," since - well - I'm a gal with 16 snakes! I have also encountered more snake-fearing men than women, and it especially made me laugh when my roommate's ex was terrified... he was a 6'5" 30 year-old black man, who would shriek like a 12 year-old girl if the snake came within 10 feet of him. On the other hand, most women I tell about my snakes are fascinated and want to meet them. Even those who claim to be afraid will take a chance, and usually end up with one happily wrapped around their neck.

Oh, and I've always been interested in snakes & reptiles, so it's hard to say why or how.

Men are always the biggest babies. Take a horse and 10 women and 10 men - all of which who have never been around horses. Most of the men will have issues with being around or on the horse, most of the women will be eager to be around or on the horse. Take a needle and 10 women and 10 men. Most of the men will be babies! Same goes with snakes! Its really quite funny.

p.s. I'm sorry for bashing on the male gender. I do it in admiration; believe me when I say that. Without a man a home is incomplete... and without the woman a home is incomplete. Its the ying and the yang.

[JAMills]

I voted guys just because I think that is what the numbers actually are. I do believe that there is a higher percentage of Girls than most would think.
I have found that when talking about or sharing my collection with people that are scared or disgusted by snakes that girls usually change their mind a lot easier than guys and quickly decide they want to touch/hold a snake while guys tend to hold onto their opinions and fears.

I for one, being a single guy, would love to see more Ladies with a love of reptiles...

[JeffD]

i have noticed many more women own snakes than I thought would.. I am impressed that they seem more knowledgeable too!

[Arsinoe]

i have noticed many more women own snakes than I thought would.. I am impressed that they seem more knowledgeable too!

I think women in general aren't big on wanting to kill things off right away. I know I red up about a week and watched videos before I got Alexander.

Men are always the biggest babies. Take a horse and 10 women and 10 men - all of which who have never been around horses. Most of the men will have issues with being around or on the horse, most of the women will be eager to be around or on the horse. Take a needle and 10 women and 10 men. Most of the men will be babies! Same goes with snakes! Its really quite funny.

Afraid of Horses????...I wonder if it's a thing of being around animals that are difficult to control and potential dangerous that scares them. I wonder how many of these sort of males are either abusive or just seek out docile women they can control?

[dembonez]

Men are always the biggest babies. Take a horse and 10 women and 10 men - all of which who have never been around horses. Most of the men will have issues with being around or on the horse, most of the women will be eager to be around or on the horse. Take a needle and 10 women and 10 men. Most of the men will be babies! Same goes with snakes! Its really quite funny.

p.s. I'm sorry for bashing on the male gender. I do it in admiration; believe me when I say that. Without a man a home is incomplete... and without the woman a home is incomplete. Its the ying and the yang.

lol im a guy and im afraid of horses well i will pet one and even ride one with someone there but no free roaming like alot of people do im too afraid and i hate needles too!!

but i LOVE SNAKES!!!!