Kevin McCurley had a really interesting analogy for this in his book, The Complete Ball Python. To paraphrase (since I don't have the book with me), snakes view us as Godzilla. Godzilla comes along and takes us (snakes) out of our perfect, happy home and holds us, but doesn't eat us. This is scary and we don't like Godzilla. But, Godzilla doesn't hurt us or eat us, so we begin to think Godzilla is okay, but we're wary of him. Then Godzilla brings his other monster friends over to play with us, which is also scary. But, they don't eat us either, so we eventually think it's okay.
I'm doing a terrible job paraphrasing, but I was in hysterics reading this and it does makes sense.
("Raaaawwwwr! Come play with me, snakey! RAwwwwrrrr!")
That is awesome! I love it! lol very true too I think.....