Take a deep breath. I am not going to be very popular with this post and have been debating even posting. I'm probably your parent's age (if not older) and can some what see where they are coming from. First, it sounds like you are in an apartment. Does your landlord know you have these pets? Are they allowed in your lease? Your dad is right to question the legality. No father want's to have to bail out their kid and incur legal bills. But, he didn't say anything about your lease. It would not be very good to have the landlord knock on your door and tell you all the snakes have to go.
Second, why did you not tell your parents (when they were providing some financial support) that you were buying snakes? Sounds to me like you probably knew what the reaction would be. Looking at it from their point of view, that secrecy and hiding part of your life can hurt. If your parents are providing any support (insurance, cell phone, etc.), then who distinguishes what money goes to what item you buy? If you can afford expensive snakes, why can't you afford to pay your own bills? So, your mother does have a point. She may not be expressing it very well and I don't agree that she should shut you out like she has. I don't know her or how to advise you to heal the wound, but understand there is a wound there and it isn't all about hating snakes. Though, I suspect that the issue being snakes may be a catalyst in amplifying her emotions.
It appears that your father is coming around. From the sounds of it, your mother was looking at it from the sand point of control. She probably feels that she was sending you support and you used that support to hide purchases of things she does not approve of. By withholding that support (financial and emotional), she may be attempting to regain some of that control. I think you are correct to give her time to reflect and calm down.
Sorry, I don't mean to be throwing cold water on your hurt but thought a fresh look at it from a parent's perspective (of older children) might look at it. I hope you can get it all worked out and keep your animals. Also, hope you don't look at my post as any type of an attack - just a different perspective. Good luck.
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