I typically go with a "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

When I only had three snakes and they were pets, people thought that was "too much."

I now have twenty snakes and I don't bother telling anyone. Everyone WOULD think it's some sort of obsession or hoarding. Problem is, they don't realize that 1) ball pythons are WORLDS easier to take care of than other pets like cats or dogs; 2) all the animals have great husbandry and can be cared for financially, both in terms of food/supplies and any emergency vet care; 3) they aren't pets, they're future breeders, which is an important distinction.. my normal is a pet, the others I don't want to stress so I don't treat them like pets - and they eat like demons.

Obsession implies negativity and some of detriment. In hoarding cases you very frequently see lots of animals that suffer because they aren't all fed, aren't properly cared for, never can see a vet... but if you're caring properly for all your animals then there's no issue, no matter how many you have. Soon as husbandry starts to fail or you have little money to go around with the animals, that's when there's a problem... but before that, so long as everyone has their fair and proper share of both your time and money? Nada!