Took to long to edit, for the OP's original question, I don't know if you would consider this as a reptile-based fear, but I held off getting on for so long because I'm afraid of fires, and heat lamps / thermostats / heat pads are all another thing that I worry about. I still have moments of anxiety when I have to leave for long periods of the day and know that no one is home, but it's getting easier. I am a little proud of myself because now, I can leave knowing that something is plugged in and all will be ok. I actually unplug everything that does not need electricity (computers, tv, radio, toaster oven, etc), but now if I forget and leave one plugged in I just think, "well the snake has been plugged in 24/7 for months and everything is fine, so this will be too", and I don't just rush home from where ever I was when I remembered. On the plus side, my electric bill is about $40 less each month.