Reactions in social circle

[JoshSloane]

That's sad. Of course, they're only seeing the income, not the expenses and time put into it.

True true. They think that the snakes just sit there and once a year I collect the babies.

[marya1962]

I've only had a few negative responses to my snakes. I take them out in public a lot. One has a pet stroller, the other a pet carrier bag, so they can be tucked away if it's necessary. Most of the time, however, I have them out holding them. People are usually okay with it and want to see and touch them, and we end up talking about snakes, educating them a little.


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[bartwolf93]

My family thought i was crazy and stupid to get a snake. My friends loved it though. After holding and taking care of him my dad wants one too, so their vision changed a lot

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[Ax01]

my sister and a few friends are scared of snakes and my mom thinks all snakes are poisonous. (she'll be in for a surprise when she visits next. lolol) my otehr firends thinks it's a mix of cool and wierd. they think like "huh, that's really cool" or "why didn't you get something normal?" or some combination of the reactions.

[Kayak Steve]

I try to educate people about snakes when the topic comes up and if people are receptive I'll talk to them about reptiles or even show them one or two. If their attitude is dismissive or hostile I ignore them. Life is too short to let other people's opinions make you feel bad or unsure about yourself or your interests. I would advise all new and young reptile owners not to "force" their reptiles or passion for them on anyone but to politely correct someone when you hear nonsense like "poisonous" or "could eat you" etc. I have convinced my neighbors to call me when unwanted wildlife shows up on their property and over the years I have relocated several "scary" beasts such as ringneck and garter snakes. They get piece of mind and I get to save a snake or other critter from being killed. I also try to avoid the subject of feeding snakes with anyone who doesn't seem to have a genuine interest them. Some folks would gladly let a snake starve to death to save a mouse.

[albinos_rule]

I have had people unfriend me from FB because of my snakes...my feeling "screw'em", if they were REAL friends they wouldn't do that. Their loss not mine

[distaff]

(snip)

I also try to avoid the subject of feeding snakes with anyone who doesn't seem to have a genuine interest them. Some folks would gladly let a snake starve to death to save a mouse.

The way I see it, this here is so much of the problem. Mice are fluffy and cute (don't even mention the bunnies!). What others don't see is that mice are genetically programmed to live about a year or so (?). Rats get maybe three. From everything I've seen on the net, pet mice and rats that are allowed to live out their "natural" lifespans almost invariably die of tumours - frequently horrific and grotesque tumours.

Death by snake is actually more humane.

[midnightLeo]

Not sure if this was the thread but for me...I pretty much have everything my mother wouldn't let me have when I was a child. Snakes especially. She's cool about them now when she visits but won't hold them. My children love our snakes.

[Megg]

I've had a lot of people ask me why i would want a snake and tell me that it's wrong for me to keep one because they don't belong in captivity. I think the real issue here is that people fear what they don't understand.


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[Megg]

I actually have a lot of friends who love my tiny snake, but I have some very odd friends sometimes. Some people don't understand why I look at so many pictures or why I want to go to reptile shops when I travel, but these few rarely say much about it. The worst reaction I have had is my father-in-law and his mom, who are terrified of snakes but don't really say much about it. Father-in-law informed me that he stopped trying to hit them while mowing the grass, just for me. I consider that an improvement.

My dad has actually stopped killing snakes. Lol. I told him that if he has a snake living in the yard at least he won't ever have a rodent infestation.


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