Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i took my pet bullsnake with me for a outing. people said i was crazy for messing with snakes and said it gross and creepy. so sad they dont understand snakes. i had my bullsnake on my shoulders and he wraps around my neck and just watches everything.

Don't tell any one you have frozen rats in your freezer! Yeah, our hobby is not for everyone. I found that out about 4 years ago when I first "got into" snakes. I took some PICTURES to my job to show my friends, and one girl took one look at a picture and violently jumped back and hit her head really hard on a cabinet. I was pulled aside by a manager and was told if I ever bring pictures of snakes to work again, I'd be written up! (Three in a year gets you fired.) It's difficult for us to understand, but ophidophobia is VERY common out there. Best to be discreet and only share (snake stuff) with people you know (that like snakes.)

Yeah, it's a risky (and stupid, if you ask me) proposition taking a snake out in public. Not everyone enjoys them like we do. Personally, everyone I know is either afraid of them or hates them; usually both. I'd leave your snake at home. But then again, that's just me.

ain't too crazy about those arachnids, myself. (Shudder) No offense, anyone!

should he bite someone one day. my neighbors don't even know i have turtles much less snakes.....& that's the way i like it.

I agree Dan. I have been in the house I currently live in for over 5 years and none of my neighbors know I have any snakes. It only takes one instigator to bring you lots of headaches...snakes are best kept in privacy. Tom Stevens
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TomsSnakes.com

Eff them! People are such whining babies about everything. I don't have the time nor concern to worry about what's going to offend who. That's not my responsibility. I'm so fascinated by the way people think they're the only one on the planet. "If I don't like it, (or I'm afraid of it, cause I was bred to be a puss since birth by whatever ignorant relative told me this about that) then it just can't even exist in my world". I've encounterend so many people that aren't snake fans through work and just life in general. Big deal. You're not, I am. Deal with it. People need to grow up....and shut up. It's just a freakin' animal for Christ's sake. Anybody know what I mean?

Ryan- well put!

I feel the same exact way.

I've got 15 in my office, and I take them out ALL the time- out in my front yard to show off, take pics, EDUCATED people.

If they don't like it, then they can keep on walking by. MOST though, are genuinely interested, and stop to ask a lot of questions, compliment on how truly beautiful they are (and that they had no idea they were as beautiful in person), etc.

My take is that if you're keeping them legally, then you have nothing to fear- if people don't like them, have a phobia, etc., then F them- that's THEIR problem, not mine. Granted, I'm not going to chase them down the street, shoving a snake in their face, but I'm certainly NOT going to stop enjoying them and sharing them with others.

There was a guy who posted a thread last year who got ratted out by one of his PITA neighbors for keeping a burm or retic. (I guess they're illegal in his state) However, the thing never got out, never bothered anybody, etc., but that F'ing neighbor called animal control on the guy, and they took it from him.

Meanwhile, some buttmonkey's pit bull down the street would hop their fence all the time- nothing was ever done about it until one day it finally mauled some kids face... sweet.

Glad that neighbor of his went after him, because he/she was afraid of snakes- even though, his snake never left his house, was never in sight, etc. This guy had the snake since a hatchling for years- PISSES me off.

//Todd

Ever since the weather warmed up enough out here I have been taking my snakes out all the time. I live in downtown Madison, and there is always a bunch of people walking around. Some people jump and squeak when they see them, but most are like "oh, look at the snake". A few will actually stop me and ask questions, etc. I've even had a few people who were afraid/didn't like snakes actually touch or even hold them and realize that they are actually pretty cool. It's kind of neat to see that change of thought in those people.

I figure as long as you respect those that don't want to have anything to do about it, than it's fine. They can simply walk away.
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