Snakes elicit a primal fear in most humans, and especially in those who were raised in a 'westernized' culture.

Even those of us who know how docile and non-threatening some snakes can be always have that deep-seated cultural fear in the back of our minds.

To me the spectrum of snake owners covers a wide range of people dealing with this fear in very different ways.

Those who keep 'hots' are, to some extent, driven by the need to master dangerous things. They know that the snake they own can kill, and take pride in 'taming' that danger. It's similar with those who enjoy large constrictors - the snake can kill, and its size makes it even more impressive to outsiders.

People like me, who own a single BP, know that there is really no danger at all, yet we still have a secret satisfying thrill whenever we handle our snake. "Check it out! I own the beast that took out all mankind when it offered the apple to Eve!!"

Plus, I only have to feed him once a week.