Woman Cited After School Complains About Python In Tree

[mues155]

And this is why none of my neighbors has ever seen my snakes or the several hundred rats in my garage. I really hate people sometimes.

Even if there wasn't an elementary school like 200 feet from my house, someone would find an excuse.

The people at my work actually get a kick out of it!
Im a bartender so I suppose its a little different then a school. (Though most of the time these people act like elementary kids)
The regulars know me as the "snake lady" and frequently ask if ive gotten any new "kids" lately. I love when someone thinks its crazy or is ignorant and asks the weirdest questions because then I have the opportunity to set them straight on snakes. But most of them are just interested to hear about them, and I love to share. When it warms up here I even tell them I'll bring one in for a bit of show and tell and they get all excited. lol wait, maybe it is like an elementary school.

[TDent1]

I gotta say, it's pretty disappointing to see so many people who avoid talking about such an awesome hobby. The military is a pretty diverse group of people, we all have TONS of different ideas and not many of us think the same and I've only met one person who thinks my snakes are "gross" or dangerous. I've met a lot of people who are skeptical though. In fact, I've had TONS of people watch a feeding session and they're amazed! A friend of mine didn't like snakes much until he saw my ball eat a mouse he swore was too big, now he wants to see every feeding.

I don't know whats happening to the school systems today, but one of my earliest memories is of some sort of snake big enough to cover the length of our entire stage. I'm pretty sure it was a retic or burmese, and the size of the snake is probably a bit off (a full grown retic probably looks a lot bigger to a 5 year old than an adult!) but I was in awe! After the presentation we all got to touch the snake and I've never been afraid of reptiles since then. Honestly, education is key so why keep our hobby quiet? If more people were willing to hold a ball or a beardie, I'm sure they wouldn't be demonized like this. Just my opinion.

[VicShell]

I agree we need more education about our beautiful animals just because mainstream america is scared of everything anymore why should we have to hide what we love and is legal to own from everyone. if we all made some effort to educate people without the fear of the reprecussions maybe things would be alot different we are more the norm then people realize and we shouldn't let some uneducated opinion (python ban) control how we try to help people realize that not all snake owners are ignorant irresponsible people. without us trying to change there train of thought then we have done nothing for our love of all the breeds of reptiles we own and care about.

[Sinnipop]

A cat can and would scratch and bite people. A dog can and would bite, maul, or even kill people. But they are the sacred animals in western redneck culture, so they are OK. They make noise pollution, spread disease with their feces, and destroy the ecosystem - do you know how many animals are endangered because people let their cats outside? But people object to my little ball python, even refuse to come into my house, despite the fact he's locked in an aquarium, not running around the house like their much more aggressive and dangerous cats and dogs, like the whole house is a barn. BPs don't even bite in self defense, and they couldn't kill anything larger than a gerbil. But, Disney movies and Hebrew mythology have convinced everyone that snakes are evil. It's really sad because snakes are such wonderful pets - and if you don't like them crawling on you, fine, you can look at them through the glass!

Even the wording - "exotic" - is biased. As if cats and dogs belong in our ecosystem! It's like when they used to call immigrants "ethnics", to imply that their culture was wrong and out of place.

I agree with you. Even a beloved parrot, or small animal can be more dangerous than a harmless young Burmese Python. I adore snakes, and I want to start collecting rare mutations of several species.
I see my dogs, and my cockatiel more dangerous than a snake.
I hope they see the light soon. The woman better win.

[Lolo76]

Honestly, education is key so why keep our hobby quiet? If more people were willing to hold a ball or a beardie, I'm sure they wouldn't be demonized like this. Just my opinion.

I work at a public library, and have already booked myself for two possible shows - one at the library for summer reading month ("reptiles of the world" to go along with our international cultures theme), and another at a rural school within our county. I agree that education is the key, and as an educator myself, it's my duty to take this initiative. So far everyone has been receptive to the idea, and very excited when I offer to do a show... especially since I won't be charging, LOL.