Back in September 2011, I finally got to get into my dream of owning reptiles. Started out nice and basic with a Crested gecko. Then got myself a Leopard gecko a few months afterwards, a Gargoyle the month after that, and then a Corn Snake arrived that I'd had on hold for most of this duration (waiting for better weather to ship, as it was winter).

I had put off getting reptiles most of my life, due to either family (where I was living) or my ex, who heavily disapproved of them. Thankfully, I am with a much more supportive boyfriend at this point. We recently moved in together and my reptiles currently reside in my office. So, three geckos and a corn snake. My other half even 'claimed' the one gecko, saying he was: "Just like a little dinosaur! This one is my gecko, you know."

I was very happy about this. I'd never really been supported before with my hobbies, and he is just wonderful about them.

But, there has been a slight snag recently that's leaving me asking... "What changed?"

There is one more snake I had on my 'dream' list of what to get. My last reptile, at least while we're in this small townhouse. A gorgeous male Pied. I was waiting on a local breeder, and she hatched out this lovely little thing. Called me up and I was just smitten with him.

However, when I mentioned possibly getting my 'last' reptile (I am at what I feel is my capacity for balancing time with the animals and time with life's other obligations), my other half suddenly turned very negative on the topic. "No more," I was told sternly.

Since then, he's seemed almost indifferent to the reptiles. He likes them when they're out, but if I casually bring them up in conversation (not often), he seems to 'tune out'. Whereas before he found them interesting.

Recently we were at a family thing, and one of his family members openly asked me: "So why on earth do you have reptiles? One or two, that makes sense. But you have a handful now. Why? What does it benefit you?"

It really irked me, as I don't share my hobby with people who don't enjoy it, and I don't remember talking to this family member about my reptiles much. In fact, Dan excitedly showed him pictures of the geckos in the past, where I stayed out of it.

I'm worried that these negative opinions and judgments are causing this change in attitude with him. He refuses to hold my snake now, whereas before he thought she was really cool. I'll take out 'his' gecko in the living room and he'll hold it for a minute or two before telling me I should "put it back."

I do respect him and his comfort zone, and asked him to make sure he isn't frightened or bothered by them. I haven't forced anything on him with this hobby either. They all stay in my room and I clean cages when I have free time, usually before he comes home from work, so I'm not neglecting 'our' time together.

But now I don't know what to do. I love that Pied and had a deposit put on the little snake, but with this recent reaction to the reptiles, I don't know how to bring up that I'm getting my 'dream' snake after 12+ years of wanting one.

Has anybody else had a significant other that has taken a dislike to the collection? Or dealt with anything similar to this? I naturally don't want to push the issue, but neither do I want to feel ashamed for having a hobby I enjoy.