I got the same reactions from EVERYONE that I know. EVERYONE. My dad said the exact same thing about eating the cats and size lol. I wanted a snake since I was 15, and I finally got one when I turned 25. 10 years of learning, and people for some reason didn't think I knew anything at all. Granted, learned about and doing is completely different. You can read all about ball pythons and their care, but when it comes down to it, it's a little bit different when you do it all yourself. It's a learning curve though. Congrats on your new baby.