Frankly, if HE says "the snakes go or I do" it's probably not at all about the snakes. It's about him wanting control in the relationship. If you didn't keep snakes and instead you took dance classes... he'd say you spent too much time out dancing... or with your friends, or family, until you rely on him exclusively.

Most of the time anyone who declares a "your hobby/time/enjoyment or I'm leaving" doesn't object to the exact thing mentioned... just to the fact that it's not time/attention on THEM. A woman may say "You go out bowling too much, I hate bowling..." but it's not bowling... it's time away from HER. With guys, it's often "You go out too much... you spend too much time with..." for the same reason.

Get rid of the dog... ditch the cat... stop going out with those friends... it's all the same thing. If you've been spending XX time with your pets and he is NOW objecting, then I'd say he's being controlling and to kick him to the curb before he ruins your entire life.

If you've recently started spending more time with your pets and less time with him, then YOU need to figure out why you've spent less time with him lately. Have you lost interest in him? Are there other things he does that you don't like, object to? Don't focus your thinking on the snakes... focus on your relationship with him over all. Does he try to restrict your time? Is he jealous of time spent with friends?

Frankly, anyone who tells me "XX or I leave" automatically can leave. I will not be controlled by another person. I do not react well to threats. If they want to leave, there's the door. If they are petty enough to threaten to leave over something, they aren't welcome with me. If they want to discuss things, I have no objection to it. Threatening to leave is a bully tactic that invariably would backfire with me.