I have 10 snakes, you have WHAT? (peoples reactions!)

[ajsnoopy]

haha! some pretty crazy reactions so far with everyone

I love my mom's reaction each time I bring my corn home:
"Did you bring your snake home?"
"Yeah, look in the bin"
She gets closer to the bin, Sabbath staring right at her
"Where?"
I point her out, she sees..
"ewwwuuuuhh" and covers her eyes and walks away
turns around "She's too big!"


I keep this to myself that she still has 2-3 years left of growing to do

[Seru1]

I tell old people and other I have snakes, especially if I think it will make them leave me alone. I like privacy at work. To many old bitty's asking me about chardonnay.


I'm amazed at the ignorance that surrounds snakes. People have an irrational fear and hatred of them.

Someday I'd like to work with HOT's. a distant distant dream. I'd want training first.


I actually have gotten favorable reactions though. I made a sale by idly striking up a conversation about ratsnakes.

[twan]

I tell people i own a few snakes they think im lying half the time lol. where im from people scared of snakes for the most part. I will put my 09 colombian red tail around my neck on a nice day and walk in the store people go crazy lmao i dont mind though its funny to me.

[loonunit]

One of the nice things about having lots of snakes is that I CAN take them out frequently, even in public, without stressing them out too much. If I get the vibe a particular animal has had enough, I just leave it alone and grab a different one instead. And kids are especially fun, because they get over their phobias lightning fast. It's good PR for the reptile community, and I think occasional handling socializes the animals, and gives them a little break from having only a 20 gallon tank or 40 quart drawer to explore.

But I admit, I usually introduce people to the idea that I have ONE snake before I let on that I have more of them. And I also worry about the wrong person overhearing and realizing that some of my beloved pets could be worth actual money.

The actual number doesn't really matter, does it? Because Crazy Snake Man/Lady kicks in at around three snakes, right? If you say you have 6, or 10, or 50, or 150, people give you the same insane look.

[4theSNAKElady]

I have, not very often, taken my snakes out in public. I've also taken them to schools and done education programs. For me, it's not about shock factor, or scare tactics or anything like that. For me, it's about education. Yes, some people are deathly afraid of snakes. But, I've noticed that there are quite a large percentage of people who approach me with my snake, and are afraid, but at the same time very curious. Some people want to see what a snake is like up close. They want to touch it. They ask questions about it. They like the way it feels. They find it's not so bad after all. Its actually NOT the horrible giant monster that tv has presented them to be. They often walk about with a completely different viewpoint on snakes. It makes me very happy when a person's viewpoint on snakes changes. And if it's because they were allowed close contact with it, than so be it. I'm currently thinking about doing a local program similar to the one I used to do when I lived in DE, where I'd go do presentations on snakes.The people loved it, especially the kids. Considering how hard we need to fight right now, I think puiblic education is soooo important.

[4theSNAKElady]

oh i've gotten lots of reactions...mostly typical. the "WHAT!!!! 23!?!? and you breed WHAT!!? RATS!?! that's DISGUSTING!"

and some "wow..." *walks away pondering where i keep them all*

but by far the BEST reaction i've EVER had, after my boyfriend built our 27-slot rack, we had pretty much our whole family over for some birthday festivities. they all knew we had snakes, but none of them really knew HOW MANY. so i take one of my aunts into our room to show her, and she was just so fascinated by the rack system. so she turns to us and says "well, at least when you guys have children you can just store them in drawers like your snakes!"

Hilarious! Best one yet.