There's nothing in the world better than looking at your snake before and after a shed--silly I know but I'm serious! It's like looking at a completely different animal, how pretty and shiny and fresh they are. Their color gets lots brighter and you can just tell they're in a better mood!!

Also, I've got a bigger girl about four feet long which I raised from the time she was a baby--and she's gentler than any dog or cat I've ever met. I take her out with me sometimes because she's so calm and relaxed, she's happy to just hang out on my shoulders like a scarf while I'm driving or walking around. Sometimes I take her to the pet stores with me while I pick up dog and cat food, and one time there were a lot of kids in there, ranging from 4 to 11, I think. They all came over and started asking questions, and at first everyone was a little hesitant, but within five minutes they were passing her around and petting her and holding her and everyone was smiling and laughing and talking excitedly--all the kids were so happy and excited about it, and you could see they were having fun. Even the parents were okay with it, and when the four year old started patting her on the head--you know how little kids do sometimes, unintentionally rough--she just let her, without any protest. It's so fun and rewarding to watch the kids interact with your animal, the one you raised from a baby to be as gentle as a lamb.

But four years ago before I got my first snake, my mom disliked snakes, too. It took me years to convince her to let me get one, but now? Now she actually likes snakes, she wants me to get an axanthic BP and she wants a GTP for herself next year!! I'm sure that if your mom just holds them and gets used to them she'll realize how sweet and wonderful they are.

I hope you end up getting your snake, and I hope this helps. Good luck!!!