I really enjoy reading about how others viewed and came to own snakes. Thanks you guys for your replies. Our other family members are not too keen on snakes so it's noce to talk to people who don't think we're nuts.

greenmonkey51 - It was researching the complexities of a keeping greek tortoise that brought snakes into our lives. A greek tortoise was my daughter's first choice but I didn't think it was a pet we could take on so she chose a snake instead and that started it all. lol

Razaiel - Lizards can be quite charming. There was a water monitor at the reptile shop and the whole time I was there he'd follow me around. I could see how easy it would be to fall for a nice bearded dragon or water monitor.

Jeanne - It was the exact opposite over here with me saying hell would freeze over or if a snake moved in I'd move out. I can sympathize with your husband though cause now I do love 'em and I get ribbed a bit for my 180 degree turn in attitude. My brother can't believe I have snakes in the house let alone that I handle them. He was there when years ago we saw a rat snake in the woods and I climbed up my husband (then boyfriend) and sat on his shoulders. LOL

frankykeno, Ginevive, Eddie_Z - It was my mother and grandmother that taught me to be afraid of snakes. I honestly thought they would chase people down and attack. I didn't want my kids to get that irrational fear. I will have to credit Steve Irwin and Jeff Corwin for helping me see snakes in a different light. They started the process and having my own bp has helped me get past much of my fear. I dread a bite but know it will most likely happen one day so I try to mentally prepare and do my best not to make stupid mistakes. I do admit that the faster more erratic corns make me nervous. Not from fear but just that I don't feel confident about handling them when they are so fast. I don't want them to get away from me and lost or something. I hold our yellow rat when my husband is right there cause Basilisk is very hyper.

iceman25 - Cobras. Eek! I'm very respectful of snakes I see in the wild and yes they give me quite a start but I recover more quickly than I used to and don't climb up on people to get away anymore. LOL Yeah, it's those type of stories that had me convinced that snakes were out to get me. lol It took about ten years of Steve Irwin and Jeff Corwin to get me able to see a snake in the proper light.