Katie: Reptile Convert and Love of My Life - Post about converts you know!

[dakski]

It’s great to share our love of reptiles with others, and I always enjoy seeing that point where people begin to think differently. You can almost see the gears turning when they realize there are more to snakes and other reptiles/amphibians than they may have originally thought. It’s also cool to have someone over to share your specific pets with by letting them see and handle them. My bp’s are always great for this because of their calm demeanor and reasonably small size...plus those little faces.

I ran into an old friend recently and he asked if I still have my “pets”. We were in a small local pharmacy and this started a whole discussion with him and the staff on keeping snakes as pets. He is truly phobics about snakes...another of his friends literally made him turn white and fall to his knees by draping a rubber snake around his neck as a joke...so not funny. But even with his fear, he always asks about them, the types I have now and how old/big they are. He’s willing to learn and hear about them in an abstract way, though he just can’t handle being near them. And he knows they mean a lot to me, so he asks about them...something I appreciate greatly.

I agree, it's very nice when people who don't "get it" or even like reptiles, or snakes, ask about them because they know they are important to you. That sounds like a good friend and a good person Dianne.

I always tell people I am not a pusher. If you want to see them, I will show you. If you are ambivalent and don't know what to expect, they might surprise you. Many people have been blown away with how calm and docile my pets are and end up touching and/or holding them. Some just get closer than they expected. Others get just as scared as they thought, but appreciate that I put them away, or respectfully keep my distance. I am not here to perseverate fears. I am here to help people overcome them and help get rid of the ignorance that surrounds these wonderful and interesting creatures. If ignorance is creating or contributing to a person's fear, I want to help get rid of that, if they are willing.

Looks like Scott enjoyed his reptile day with you, nice when you can cheer a friend up especially one one that's having a tough time at the moment.
Everyone looked to be nice and chilled, little feliz looked nice and relaxed too but looks so tiny compared to behira she's proper filling out now and looking nice and stocky, such a great collection Dave

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Yeah, Scott had a great time. He needed it.

Everyone was on super good behavior, although Figment was a Spaz, per usual, to start. I had to show Scott how to really support to him and gently restrain/guide his neck to keep him focused and calm(er). Everyone else was great as usual. To be clear, Figment never freaks out or gets scared or strikes, etc. He just loves to move and explore and gets super distracted, or so it seems, all the time. "What's over here? Oh, what's over here. Okay, saw that, now what's over there?" Solana is the total opposite. She's the chillest corn snake I've ever met. Most corns are in between, but she's boa like and he's Spaz City. I've had them both since 9G, so it's just individual personality I think.

Behira is definitely starting to fill out. She's still super chill and awesome and a joy to handle though. She was really good with Scott and he was blown away with her strength at 1,200G. I'll be interested in what he has to say at 6,000G+. . She's so gentle, it won't matter.

Feliz, wow, what a sweetie. He's chill as can be. I've also been working with him every other day and we've been getting to know one another. We've both been very respectful. The other day, I took him out. He was wrapped up and it was clear he didn't feel like exploring and was a little nervous. We had a little "chat." He said, "Dad, I'm a little nervous. I'll tell you what. If you let me stay wrapped up around your fingers and in your hand like this where I feel nice and safe, I'll stay really calm, and there won't be any hysterics or nipping, or hissing, or anything like that, okay? If I feel like exploring, I will, otherwise, I'll just chill here and feel safe, okay?" I said, "Sure Baby. You do whatever makes you feel comfortable. I want you to learn that I am here to protect you and care for you. I will never hurt you or make you uncomfortable on purpose. I'll let you chill for a minute or two, but if you don't start exploring, I'll call it a day and put you back."

After a few minutes, I put him back and let him be. Today, different snake. He was happy and exploring and calm and curious.

Notice Shayna and Yafe didn't come out. Yafe needs to heal and doesn't need the excitement of a new friend right now. Shayna is basically brumating. Additionally, the Leopard Geckos didn't interest Scott too much, so I let them be.

Rich, I envy your Boa collection, so it means a lot to hear you say how much you like my collection. I went for rarity ((either in species (Feliz, Ezzy, and Ferry) or morph (Solana, all the Leopard Geckos, certainly when I got them)), or both (Yafe - IJ/Darwin Albino Hybrid), or a species I really wanted but made sure the animal was something I've wanted for a long time (Frank - BTS, Shayna - Albino BP, wanted since 1992, Behira - BCI, since I was a kid), and I wanted all of them to be the most handleable/calmest the breeder had. I don't just want display animals. I like to interact with my animals and bond with them and allow others to experience them that way as well.

I have zero complaints about the collection at this point.