My boyfriend is still afraid of the snakes, hes a little less afraid but he doesn't want to see them or hear about them or hold them, or see me hold them. The geckos are another story entirely. He'll watch them and handle them or hold one for me if I'm doing some cage maintenance. He doesnt love them the way I do but absolutely respects my love for them and what I'm doing with them and how good of care I take of them.