It is tough being a teenager. As a mum of 4 I can tell you what would impress me when it comes to any of my kids wanting something, especially a living animal and especially if it was one I was nervous of having in the house.

1) Show your committment through research. Taking the time to really understand the snake you want, what it requires to care for it and showing your parents that you've done this plus joined a forum to receive common sense and real help should help them see you are very serious about this.

2) Be serious about other things like chores and your schoolwork. I know as a parent I won't take a kid seriously about being responsible for a pet if they can't even be responsible to turn in their schoolwork (in fact we have a requirement that the kids have a certain grade level to earn the right to have a snake).

3) Pick an appropriate snake for your level of knowledge and your interest. Take the time to find a breeder, pet store snakes tend to be more trouble than they are worth.

4) Find a local vet that will care for snakes and ask their office for some basic costs of care (like sexing, etc.). Show this list to your parents and explain how you would be responsible for any vet costs. Start a fund now for snake supplies, weekly feeding and an emergency vet visit. Planning ahead and being responsible for costs always impresses parents.

5) Don't whine for it. Whining equals immaturity and that won't get you what you want.

6) Don't expect to get it now. Show your parents you can be patient and do all the pre-planning as far as type of snake, where to get it, how to house it, how you plan to afford to keep it.

7) Think about the future. You're only a few years away from college. Have you thought about what will happen to your snake when you leave high school behind? Make that plan and explain it to your parents.

8) Locate your feeder supplier. Find out exactly what it will cost per month to feed your snake and how you plan to afford this. Check on any local laws about owning herps in your area. Show your parents your plan in writing.

Basically approach this like a school project. Investigate, research, write up a plan and ask your parents to sit down and quietly discuss this with you. This sort of mature planning will certainly at least open your parents minds to the concept of a snake as a pet. You might also encourage one of them to open an account here and present their questions and concerns. Our members will be quite happy to answer those.