My mother in law is petrified of snakes and when she saw a picture of our 5 y.o with one on his shoulder she wigged. She wigged out more when she saw Lucy around his neck (she wasn't squeezing and he was fine he actually loved it) I'm trying to tell people that snakes aren't bad its just all the crap you were taught when you were kids...terrified misinformed parents, teachers etc. My boys can tell you snakes aren't yucky at all...only part yucky is their poo! (yeah they're boys!) They aren't slimy and they won't eat you unless you're a mouse or rat. They don't bite......unless you're dinner and we haven't heard ours hiss. They have tried telling their grandma that but well she's not hearing it. All of my side of the family are insane reptile people anyway and when my brother visit i have to frisk him before he leaves to make sure no one is missing. My husband's side well like "normal" pets, dogs cats etc. Which i am allergic to. So family well you can't live with them and you can't live without them!