It's so sad. I have one friend with a serious phobia and I know other people who are afraid of snakes, not phobia strength, but simply scared. When I ask if they want to meet some of mine (I have a baby western hognose currently and now a young ball python) or get some info so they can try to get over it they just say they have no real reason to get over their fear. And why should they learn to like snakes?

I keep hearing stuff like, "I love animals... except for bugs, snakes and rats" All I can tell them is that many of these animals they fear are simply very misunderstood. I love all animals equally. No animals truely frighten me. With pet snakes and rats and spiders, etc. I know that all I need to do is be careful and respect them and they are as likely to harm me as any dog or cat! I think I owe my love for reptiles especially to Steve Irwin (joke all you want, he was a great man) and also to the introduction of snakes to me at school assemblies and science fairs when I was young.

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