Reactions in social circle

[readymade]

I don't know how the term serpent became synonymous with snakes the Hebrew word for serpent is nachash and the meaning is to shine or being shiny

[JoshSloane]

We aren't criticizing this craigslist post for providing disinformation, but rather the negative associations it perpetuates about snakes and snake owners. We all know that dogs kill far more people yearly than snakes, and that any large breed dog could seriously injur a child at any moment, but we don't automatically associate a golden retriever with a dead kid. The sad fact is that a large percentage of the population, regardless of hard data, associate snakes with bodily injury. CL posts like this only further these false associations in the minds of illogical people. We have learned throughout history that human populations are usually awful at making decisions based on logic and data. It's the same deal with gun laws. Knives hurt many more people than guns yearly, but you don't have to jump through hoops to buy a paring knife.

Point is: Don't feed the hysteria promoting propaganda machine.

[MalachiJ]

My girlfriend is terrified of snakes, and thinks rodents are disgusting. That didn't stop me. After the first week of having my juvenile male albino bp, I could tell she was fascinated. She is still a little afraid of it, but she has held it a few times and I catch her watching him explore his enclosure in fascination. I'll make a snake lady out of her, just takes time to get over the irrational fear (that so many people have). Most of the other friends and family are fascinated by him. Even though most wouldn't feel comfortable holding him.

[DVirginiana]

I'm an ecologist so I'm lucky in that most of the people I've worked with are really interested in my exotics. The times I've been on field excursions and randomly grabbed snakes, everyone is usually interested.

My parents are the only family members that really like my snakes. They have several garters of their own that they got when I moved out and took my babies with me. My other family members just kind of accept that I like snakes and don't criticize me for it. My husband is attached to them, but is afraid of getting bitten and will only hold a couple of my calmer garters. Since I started keeping snakes, my grandma who is really afraid of them has stopped killing them on sight and will get a long shovel or something and move them out of her yard usually now, so that's a win.

The only animals I have that I get really nasty comments about are my inverts. Even my family members who like the snakes always talk about how they would smash the spiders, or they're rooting for the crickets at feeding time, and that kind of gets on my nerves.

One thing I can't stand is when people freak out about feeding snakes mice. I'm always like, you know that hamburger you're eating was tortured its entire life and didn't get anything approaching a 30 second quick death. And you don't even HAVE to eat meat to survive like the snakes do. It just seems kind of hypocritical to me when people have no problem feeding meat to cats/dogs/themselves but freak out about snakes eating.

[lorrainesmom]

I haven't told my parents that I have snakes at all, due to my stepmother's snake phobia. They would refuse to visit at all if they knew. Whenever my parents come over, we have to hide the snakes.

[dylanjwicklund]

I do know that the reticulated python can almost reach 30 ft the longest one recorded was in 2011 and measured in at 25.2 ft but with that also said it is by far a gentle giant and I know a few people who have a some that are pushing 17ft and 20ft and they are fun to take out on hot days never had them try to bit me

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[distaff]

I grew up in the 70's. Captive snakes for me always brought up images of neglect and derelict conditions, trashy criminal types of people, and biker gangs. This may not have been the prevalent reality even then, but this may still be part of the association for many.

[distaff]

I think the internet can be key to desensitizing people, and creating a better image. No one who dislikes snakes is likely to open up a book on snakes, but almost everyone hits Facebook. The more people post gorgeous pics of themselves holding their well cared for and glowing "best friends" on line, the more sketpics will come around.

The world is changing. These animals can symbolize evil, or they can symbolize creative energy, transcendence, etc. Even conservative "bitter clinger" types are debating with each other about how old the pyramids really are, and what is behind crop circles. People go take ayuaska (spell?) in the Amazon, and what is in their visions?? ...serpents. In the light of much older documents, people are re-interpreting the meaning behind the account in Genesis, and putting more thought into the phrase, "gentle as doves, wise as serpents." Even in the face of economic collapse, and WWIII, I think we are at the start of a big cultural shift.

[Penultimate]

Several of my friends are afraid of snakes. My best friend, who I've known for about ten years, doesn't even like being near them... yet she comes with me to every reptile expo, has touched my gentlest ball python and even claimed my mojave bumblebee as "her snake". She never bothers to ask why I keep snakes, she knows I love them and that's what she wants for me. She's getting a lot better around snakes, and gives me input on what morphs to buy now.

Another of my good friends was scared of my snakes before she actually met them. I brought them out and let her see what they were really like. When she left, she said, "You know, they really weren't as terrifying as I thought they'd be." That's an exact quote.

One person totally freaked out that I was getting a python because he thought it was going to get huge... I kind of laughed at that. Later, I showed him pictures of adults and the various morphs, and he started asking me about how they are as pets. He and his brother are thinking about pet reptiles now.

Two others, while they have never seen my snakes in person, seem interested in them and they like the pictures. One of them really wants to see my collection one day.

A family friend had been a little wary of my snakes at first, but when we asked her to care for our house while we were on vacation, she had no trouble caring for the snakes. She said she enjoyed being around them and even learned how to hold them.

You know, if we can get our friends to like snakes, I think that's evidence that the rest of the population can learn to tolerate them as well with a little education.

[kiiarah]

One thing I can't stand is when people freak out about feeding snakes mice. I'm always like, you know that hamburger you're eating was tortured its entire life and didn't get anything approaching a 30 second quick death. And you don't even HAVE to eat meat to survive like the snakes do. It just seems kind of hypocritical to me when people have no problem feeding meat to cats/dogs/themselves but freak out about snakes eating.

This. One thousand times this. I can't stand that either, and it really is extremely hypocritical to fault something for eating habits that it has no say in, only to turn right around and do the same thing yourself. My mom still thinks thawing out rats is gross. I always have to remind her that if anything they are less gross than her skinned and dismembered chicken. I marvel at people's ability to disconnect from what they are actually eating. Beef patties are just fine because they look different enough to put out of our minds what they used to be, but show people one little dead rat that is recognizable as an animal and it is like their world implodes. Highly frustrating, but I do take satisfaction in pointing out the inconsistencies in their complaints.

Several of my friends are afraid of snakes. My best friend, who I've known for about ten years, doesn't even like being near them... yet she comes with me to every reptile expo, has touched my gentlest ball python and even claimed my mojave bumblebee as "her snake". She never bothers to ask why I keep snakes, she knows I love them and that's what she wants for me. She's getting a lot better around snakes, and gives me input on what morphs to buy now.

Another of my good friends was scared of my snakes before she actually met them. I brought them out and let her see what they were really like. When she left, she said, "You know, they really weren't as terrifying as I thought they'd be." That's an exact quote.

One person totally freaked out that I was getting a python because he thought it was going to get huge... I kind of laughed at that. Later, I showed him pictures of adults and the various morphs, and he started asking me about how they are as pets. He and his brother are thinking about pet reptiles now.

Two others, while they have never seen my snakes in person, seem interested in them and they like the pictures. One of them really wants to see my collection one day.

A family friend had been a little wary of my snakes at first, but when we asked her to care for our house while we were on vacation, she had no trouble caring for the snakes. She said she enjoyed being around them and even learned how to hold them.

You know, if we can get our friends to like snakes, I think that's evidence that the rest of the population can learn to tolerate them as well with a little education.

I love hearing accounts like this and wholeheartedly agree that there is hope for just about anyone. Every single person who has come to my house since I got Shesha 10 months ago has become at worst comfortable and curious about him, and at best fallen head over heels for him. I fell in love with ball pythons the first time I held one, the sole purpose of which was to demonstrate to one friend in particular who was by no means a fan of snakes, that they really can be sweet and amazing animals. She wasn't immediately hooked, but I was. All it took for her was the first time mustering up the courage to handle him. These days she will often make trips over for the sole purpose of seeing him once he is finally done digesting his weekly meal. She misses him almost as much as I do when he can't come out. She even fed him once! ^_^