My first shock I guess about peoples' fear

[Trackstrong83]

What about going into a pet store with your snake? I brought my dumerils into my work (pet store) yesterday to show my coworkers and people threatened to kill my snake, "beat my a**" if I got near them, and so on. But I mean, it's a pet store, people shouldn't freak out if I'm in a PET store I believe.

[Marrissa]

Honestly I don't see how I've disrespected anybody. I never pressured anyone into being near him or looking at him or anything. I pretty much kept to myself and talked to my coworkers. When people asked questions I simply answered them.

[I-KandyReptiles]

I've brought my snake once into the pet store but that was when I was a "n00b". It was in a pillowcase though and we were in the back area where only feeder customers can be.

Also, there are only mice and worms at this pet store. I wouldn't be bringing my snake into a store with other reptiles.

[Luciferskeeper]

Not everyone shares the same love for certain animals. People are afraid then they're afraid and you can't fault them for that. They came to lowes to shop and I just feel let them shop. Show your snakes off at home, I know exactly how some of the customers may have felt simply because I too was once deathly afraid of snakes until my first repticon show where Limey with royal reptilia got me to touch one. It was after that and much research I overcame my fear and developed love for snakes. You have to look at where everyone involved is coming from and not just the fact that you love snakes so then everyone else should too.

[DooLittle]

They are not dogs or cats keep your snake at home and don't subject people to an animal that many fear, this hobby is under tremendous scrutiny already and things like this only give ammunition to those that wish to see exotic animals banned.

You want to show of your snake do so in contained environment for educational purposes, in an event that is planned and where people are present because they want to learn.

X4.

No need to draw negative attention to them. If your coworkers wanted to see your snake, you should have them come to your house. Not take your snake out.

[angllady2]

I understand where you are coming from, I really do. But the fact is, snakes are not considered the cute pets dogs, cats and even birds are. People fear snakes, to the point of complete irrationality, and something like this is only asking for trouble. It shouldn't be, but it is. And as a responsible owner you have to accept that fact, even if it isn't fair. And comparing your snake to other pets is not going to help your cause or garner sympathy. People are not rational when it comes to snakes and other reptiles, they just aren't. And we as keepers need to respect that, even if it drives us nuts. If you really feel the need to bring your snake with you, then please compromise and keep it in a closed container like a critter keeper. At least if it's in a container, hopefully people won't react quite as badly.

You must also realize that while people can be afraid of say, large dogs or parrots, these animals are highly visible and a person who is uncomfortable with them can see them from a good distance and avoid them. A snake on the other hand, is usually small, and you said yourself it was just curled around your arm. Someone who is phobic may not notice it until they are very close, and when they do their reaction is very predictable. I know things like this aren't fair. People get to take their cute, fluffy pets everywhere and have them admired. Reptile keepers on the other hand, must mainly keep our much loved pets out of sight or risk a scene or worse. It sucks, but this is how things are.

On warm evenings here in my neighborhood, I take my favorite female ball python out into the yard with me. She hangs out on my shoulders and enjoys the sun while I quietly stroll around my yard. Because of this, most people never even notice her. But when someone does, the reactions are completely predictable. They either want to get closer to her, and talk about her. Or they scream and jump across the street and run home in a panic, even if my snake and I are 20 feet away. I am not foolish enough to ever leave my yard with her. I don't need or want a confrontation. Sure I'd love to walk around the block with her, and talk to my friends. But I also don't want to end up on the wrong end of a police tazer because I'm endangering the neighbor kids. It's not fair, but I understand that the majority of people don't see her the way I do. She's not a pet to them, she is a vicious, dangerous wild animal and they have a right to be alarmed or even angry she is with me. Such is the life of a reptile owner.

Gale

[Kodieh]

They are not dogs or cats keep your snake at home and don't subject people to an animal that many fear, this hobby is under tremendous scrutiny already and things like this only give ammunition to those that wish to see exotic animals banned.

You want to show of your snake do so in contained environment for educational purposes, in an event that is planned and where people are present because they want to learn.

X2

I was beyond irritated at how many snakes I saw at a medieval fair I went to. These things need specific care, and can be compromised by extended exposure to conditions outside these specifications.

Sent from my SAMSUNG Galaxy SIII using Tapatalk 2

[OsirisRa32]

I'd like to point out that while people do indeed have an irrational fear of spiders or snakes...I know a huge number of people from my childhood whos irrational fear of dogs is literally youtube video worthy.

[Pythonfriend]

if the temperatures are right then i see absolutely no reason not to do it.

one exception: i wouldnt want people to feel confined near the snake, it needs to be a setting where people can more or less move freely in all directions and can keep a distance if they wish to. So, no crowded places or elevators, but maybe a visit to the park.

in a park people bring all kinds of animals, mainly dogs but also more unusual stuff like turtles or ferrets or horses. and they do all kinds of things, including juggling fire or or do sports or whatever. Thats a good setting.

i totally do NOT think carrying a snake can in ANY WAY be disrespectful (unless people are forced to be closer to it than they are comfortable with). Disrespectful means something that should be respected is not respected. Should irrational fears and/or ignorance be respected, are they worthy of respect? No. But people still have a right to stay away from snakes if they for whatever reason wish to do so, and that deserves respect. when i take a snake for a walk or into the park or outdoors and its not crowded, people can keep a distance. im not forcing them to come near or be near or be uncomfortable, and that is enough respect i think.

What also deserves some respect is my freedoms within the law. if you have a pet you legally own and when you are not harming anyone and there is no law anywhere that would be broken, then it is within your rights to take it out into the public. if someone sees it at a distance and doesnt like it, too bad, that person can stay away, im not forcing that person to get close, its just not enough to keep me from doing it. I dont see a reason to act as if there would be a law against showing snakes in public, when there is no such law, and the only reason is some people might get offended.

There is no right not to be offended, im offended when i see neo-nazis or when i see a dog crap or when i see scientology or some other cult trying to pull people in, needlessly loud motorbikes and needlessly loud gardening tools also offend me. But everyone is offended by different things, if that would be something that is worthy of respect, there would not be much freedom at all. So, no, if you take a walk while holding a snake and dont force people to get closer than they want to, i dont see it as disrespectful at all.

and i think when done in the right context and in a smart way, it can be very beneficial for the reputation of snakes to randomly expose people to it in public, its all about context and how you do it.

[Raven01]

Its just disrespectful imo. If I'm in a store i don't wanna feel pressured to leave because somethings making me uncomfortable.

If the same policy is applied to everything then sure.
Because I know people with irrational fears of dogs, even chihuahua or similar sized ones. One guy I worked with is terrified of fish. A couple others, birds.

If the place has a no pets policy except working animals like guide dogs or therapy animals for socially or mentally challenged people then taking a snake in is really not kosher.
But, if it is a pet friendly place and you are behaving responsibly then there should be no issue. Irresponsible owners of any animal are the problem and need to be identified as the problem.

Failure to due so has lead to breed or species bans for both dogs and reptiles.
It is a bad idea to even attempt to bubble-wrap the world so that every single person is 100% comfortable all of the time. That just encourages more people to infringe upon your rights.

I agree with alot of what you say but this time I must respectfully disagree. Allowing this type of soft bullying behaviour only encourages more of it.