cruel world

[dmaricle]

One thing I always tell people is that a pair of snakes got on Noah's Ark.

lol i never thought of that one.

[wilomn]

Education is great, but it won't reach everyone, this family is a perfect example. They were probably not afraid of your snakes, they were probably just reacting to poor information and the stigma surrounding these animals. People like that often will not change their ways either.

sorry for the rant.

Or, just a step to right, they actually are ignorant louts. It is well within the realm of possibility that they feel just fine about speaking as and how they did, knowing that for an instant or two they were the centers of attention and now having bragging rights with all the other right thinking friends they have about having had the stones to speak up in public.

These people may well be misinformed but who is to blame for that? Anyone who hasn't figured out that a single source is not a verification is either an ignorant lout or mentally lacking.

I see folks like this on occasion. I liken them to landmines in the dogpark. Watch where you step and you're ok. Don't watch were you step and you've got poop on your shoes.

I hate getting poop on my shoes.

I prefer being barefoot, but that is another subject all together and I don't want to hijack this thread.

[dmaricle]

lol i am glad that most people see the good in what i try to do and support us for it. as for the ones who say i am wrong for taking my snakes into public, the way i see it is if someone doesnt go out and show that snakes arent evil, bad, and mean the more likely we are to have restrictions put on our hobby. if we reach the right people when it comes up in conversation at a higher party that person may stand up and say look i have seen kids with snakes and i dont see any harm they are causing

[PsYcHo_99]

yeah i've had that happen.. i take my boa in pet stores when i need to buy stuff and its nice out.. an old lady called me a sick-o.. i got called a crazy bastard.. you name it.. i got it.. the managers know me.. they tell me to let it go.. i know how frustrating it feels

[Blightedchemist]

i havent taken my snake out yet, and i would expect one person in about 15 to be nagative about snakes and reptiles in general, but thats fine keep it to yourself and dont go out of your way to make a scene like a lot of them seem to do.

[dadspets]

Ya their are lots of these type of people in this world that are like that towards reptiles period. I do alot of showings my self, mostly with in the school system. I get and answer many questions to things like those comments. You just have to bit your tongue and let it go. I know it is very hard to.

[daniel1983]

Personally, I don't agree with taking snakes into 'public' places like you did. It is that sort of stuff that causes problems.

...last time we had to go to Baton Rouge to protest the restrictive legislation was because some guy kept a burm in his back yard and the neighbor decided they should be illegal to own because they could harm his kids.

...next time we will probably have to go fight legislation because a pissed off old man saw a guy walking around with a snake on his shoulder in public and was offended.

Keep your snakes at home. They are not dogs you take for a walk.

Not to mention the health risks to the reptile by being dragged around without proper conditions....

[dmaricle]

Personally, I don't agree with taking snakes into 'public' places like you did. It is that sort of stuff that causes problems.

...last time we had to go to Baton Rouge to protest the restrictive legislation was because some guy kept a burm in his back yard and the neighbor decided they should be illegal to own because they could harm his kids.

...next time we will probably have to go fight legislation because a pissed off old man saw a guy walking around with a snake on his shoulder in public and was offended.

Keep your snakes at home. They are not dogs you take for a walk. Not to mention the health risks to the reptile by being dragged around without proper conditions....

so just because i dont own the normal pet it should be banned to stay in a cage. i disagree with you and i feel that education the public is very good and if more people would do it we may not would have such a problem with things like this. i have brought my snakes out for years and have not had one get sick or die ever so it must not be to hard on them. when they go to the vet they always get a perfect bill of health.

[patb201985]

honestly, not shocking how people can react. i heard if all before and i just laugh about it. i learn to realize that 1.some people are affraid(thats fine) 2. alot of people dislike them due to the lack of knowledge about snakes 3. alot of times what is shown on T.V. & Movies, it puts a negative outlook in peoples mind about them. sometimes, they can get the best of us because our passion & love for reptile are very strong. sucks to be them, they're just missing out on out a really Kool Addiction !

[python.princess]

Many adults are too set in their opinions to have an open mind about new things. As they see it, you're flaunting these evil disgusting creatures in front of their faces and they aren't going to take it well.

Nobody is saying don't educate people. Go to schools. Cub Scouts. Brownies. Reach the children who don't already have this bias against reptiles. Most of the adults that react negatively, always will. And it's most likely because they had little to no exposure to snakes their whole lives. That combined with the stigma surrounding them, adds up to a deep seeded hatred for these animals that we love so much.

I guess what I'm saying is go to the root of the problem. Expose people to snakes and other reptiles before they decide not to like em. Call up schools or different organizations and offer to bring a few snakes to show the kids. Don't just take your snakes wherever and expect sunshine and daisies. Because, as you've seen firsthand, that's not always the case.