Who are your herp buddies?

[Tigergenesis]

While my boyfriend is extremely supportive of my love for animals (especially reptiles) and will often ask me questions and show an interest in my 'hobby' (I hate using that word with regard to my animal friends) - he's just not as into them as I am.

None of my family and friends understand it for the most part - they may ask some of the general questions many people ask and I do relish the opportunity to educate them.

The people I work with at the zoo are more understanding and of course share similiar interests - there's one guy in particular that I talk reptiles with often. One of my volunteer positions is education oriented so I jump at every chance I get to handle the reptiles and talk to the public about them.

I keep in touch with most of the breeders I've bought from and make it a point to visit them all each month at the local reptile show. I also get a kick out of the reptile show because a lot of breeders recognize me (I go each month even if I'm not buying anything) and I stop and talk to a lot of them. My boyfriend went to a couple of shows with me and although he enjoyed seeing the snakes, I take a long time looking at all the animals and talking with people (longer than he does).

But other than that, I get my real interaction with fellow herpers on forums such as this. I just get a kick out of visiting all the forums, helping each other and even just sharing pics or talking about anything and nothing.

I was just wondering if other people find it a bit difficult to find people to talk to and share your interest with?

[chong_python]

you not alone, thats for sure
its not that my family doesnt support my herp, they just dont care? lol
i do have a firend tho that has a BCI so its not that bad, but I wish my family had a bit more intrest than what they do. i wish they loved it so much that they would give me stuff lol

[Tigergenesis]

Yeah, sometimes it gets a little frustrating that others don't feel the same way, understand or care.

But I bet if they gave me stuff too that I wouldn't care if they were interested or not!

[jotay]

For me it is the forums because really no one I know shares my love of herps except a bartender at the club I go to and my son some what.
Tis a lonely life sometime except when there is shows

[Brandon.O]

yeah same here, my freinds look at me like i dont give a f*** when i tell them something about my snake or any other animal

[Wizill]

i don't get to share my love for herps with anyone really. just me and them. and you guys of course.

[daftperception]

not one person in my town my dad accepts them but he could care less I talk to him about them any ways at least he asks questions except for do they bite. My town is in the stone age they are still getting over the invention of the wheel. Lots of farmers,inbreeds, and 1 pet shop with bad selection it's kinda hard for people to get into it unless they really like it.

[EyeLashViper]

Hello all,
Well, I would have to say that I keep my interactions with other herpers confined to the internet. I am very distrustful of people in general and I do not even reveal that I am a hardcore herper to anybody outside of my closest friend here in Los Angeles.There is too much of a risk of me being "outed" to the management of my apartment building if I was careless about mentioning that I have a room full of snakes.

I have learned to be very private about my animals and I sort of think of them as secret friends that nobody knows about with the exception of all you guys and gals here at Ball Python Kingdom. Here I let it all hang out !!!!!!!!!
EyeLashViper

[Ironhead]

Then I am one of the few.....About 90% of my family are herpers and several of my friends are too.

[green_man]

My wife likes them, she just doesnt know a heck of alot about them.
Besides that, im on me own. I am the one that cares for them and builds their enclosures and what not.
I am very happy she likes them though. Or I would probably be snakeless...