Reptile & Amphibian Forums

According to 99% of the people I know, I am a freak. Some have even even said that my hobby is "evil" on top of being dangerous.

Im sure you've all heard the same ignorant questions and comments like "Aren't they all poisonous?" "You have them in your house? OMG, what about Kennedy?" Kennedy is my 2 year old daughter. "I'm an animal lover but I hate snakes. What do you like about them?" "Why would you cage an animal that wants to be free?" (as they walk their dogs on a leash) "If they don't pay, we'll send Kenny and his snakes to collect"...yes, my work now knows about my hobby thanks to the super professional Fed Ex driver and the 3 people who followed him up the stairs to my office to see what kinda of snake was in the box. Apparently, the driver made a scene about having a snake on his truck the moment he stepped out to make the delivery. Needless to say, I have to make special arrangements to receive my goodies from now on.

My immediate response to most of these questions is "[bleep] You" but that is neither intelligent nor acceptable in many situations...I'm sure it will get edited here. But that comes from the heart. I have learned to accept the fact that these are questions coming from people who have been taught to hate reptiles and most other "non-fluffy" animals.

I am ashamed at times as I often let their comments take the wind from my sail. I am confused why I let their lack of understanding get me down. I then realize that it's my own issues and it has to do with my disappointment on how shallow, narrow minded and easily brainwashed people are. I try to feel sorry for them but I am more angered than anything else. I feel sorry for the environment because these are the people who will save the planet. How can they "truly care" about a rainforest, desert or oil spill when they don't know of or care about the lives they sustain? They can't, it's impossible. So we have to "gimmick" up the cause and make it a cool thing to do.
****Out of posting space****
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5.4 BCI
0.2 BCC
1.1 Eastern Indigo
3.4 Western Hognose (Albino / Het Albino)
2.2 Ball Python (Het Pied/Spider/Pastel)
1.1 Chondro (High Yellow / Sorong)
1.1 Kimberly Monitor
2.2 Crested Gecko
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python
0.1 Striped California Kingsnake "Skid Mark"
0.0.1 Florida Softshell Turtle
0.0.1 African Long Neck Turtle
1.0 Pitbull
1.2 Kids
0.1 Ball and Chain

****Continued****

However, I also find comfort that many people feel this way, and it's a selfish reason. It will keep the masses from polluting this hobby. Personally, I take pride in the fact that I have been consistent in my choices. Never following the masses nor purposely avoided them. Always followed my heart, even when it meant quitting a job, ending a relationship or avoiding Motley's (lol...I just don't like them).

So, I guess I went and answered my own question. I certainly hope I am!

Kenny
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5.4 BCI
0.2 BCC
1.1 Eastern Indigo
3.4 Western Hognose (Albino / Het Albino)
2.2 Ball Python (Het Pied/Spider/Pastel)
1.1 Chondro (High Yellow / Sorong)
1.1 Kimberly Monitor
2.2 Crested Gecko
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python
0.1 Striped California Kingsnake "Skid Mark"
0.0.1 Florida Softshell Turtle
0.0.1 African Long Neck Turtle
1.0 Pitbull
1.2 Kids
0.1 Ball and Chain

I think this type of experience is a valuable learning tool for all of us, not just snake keepers, but ALL of us. We all find ourselves on both sides of this type of thing. We have no control over others and how they feel, just ourselves, so the next time you find yourself in a situation where you are judging someone, because of their lifestyle, religion, race, or them judging you, do your part in eliminating this type of behavior by being forgiving, accepting, if not seeking understanding, of the things that seem, odd, "freaky" to you..
Also, it's important to do your own homework about our world and come to your own conclusions, instead of believing the common misconceptions that abound. We are all brothers and sisters here, and due to the large amount of environmental, political/social upheaval that is going on presently, the pettiness of racism, religious warring and bigotry is becoming more and more apparent, or it should be..
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Jason Dowell

Are you weird?? well, all i can say is that keeping snakes or any type of animal for that matter does not make you weird in my book..

I try and do little "show and tells" whenever i get the chance - and even invite people to my home to see my snake room. I've found that once they get a chance to meet a boa in person or see that i have my animals well taken care of - in clean cages, environment all set for their needs - they usually seem more accepting of my hobby.

if that doesn't work - then to heck with them... to each their own.

forgive but I dont get it. SO WHAT. Who cares what people think. You and I are not going to change anyone so why even dwell on it. A DOR(dead on road) black racer turned up in front of my house and my neighbors insisted it was one of my snakes. I've been here for 11 years. They have never even seen my snakes yet they still insisted it was one of mine. I laughed it off. This is our hobby not theirs. The more I go on in this hobby the more I realize the more you conceal it from "normal" fokks, the better off we are in the end. If you want to vent your anger and frustration towards someone(not that I think you were doing that) tell off the BONE HEAD walking around with a burmese python or ball python wrapped around his neck like a tough guy. Those are the real idiots who hurt our hobby. Just my opinion. Mike Panichi
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Honesty is my only policy
www.mikepanicreptiles.com

The purpose of this "rant" was to express some feelings and at the same time provide a forum for others to express their feelings on this issue. The conclusion at the end, I thought, would confirm that the "norm" is not what I want to appeal to. However, I honestly don't know anyone that is doing what I do. I know a handful of people who keep reptiles as pets. I do care, for the most part, how some negative comments came from family. I can't sit and discuss the investments I've made and the plans I have with my old man without him shaking his head with disgust and zero feedback. And then there is my brother-in-law who comes over while I'm cleaning and feeding and calls me "Snake Man" like a kid would....he's 50. A tour of the "room" with detail descriptions of genetics of each animal gets the same blank stare reaction for everyone so I save that energy for other things now. And the comments I get on my Facebook photos...lol. Any hoot, I hoped for a fun turn out and a little moral support from this...that's all!
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6.6 BCI
0.2 BCC
1.1 Eastern Indigo
3.4 Western Hognose (Albino / Het Albino)
2.2 Ball Python (Het Pied/Spider/Pastel)
1.1 Chondro (High Yellow / Sorong)
1.1 Kimberly Monitor
2.2 Crested Gecko
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python
0.1 Striped California Kingsnake "Skid Mark"
0.0.1 Florida Softshell Turtle
0.0.1 African Long Neck Turtle
1.0 Pitbull
1.2 Kids
0.1 Ball and Chain

yep........you're right. I get the same blank stares. The same doubtful shrugs. Another reason I like it is because its mine. LOL. Its about the only thing left in the house that doesnt belong to my wife or my daughter. After a stressful day at work, I go down to my snake room, flip on the radio and forget about things for a while. I remember a few years ago when my father in law proudly watched me unwrap a gift he gave me. The smile quickly ran from his face when I politely said.....thanks pop but I will never ever ever, never never, ever use this!!! He gave me a brand new set of two way walkie talkies. They sit in my snake room un used to this day, LOL. Anyway, rant away my friend. WE HEAR YA LOUD AND CLEAR
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Honesty is my only policy
www.mikepanicreptiles.com

I can totally relate to your rant. I try to be polite and answer simply that snakes and reptiles arent for everyone. I also find that most people are more suprised when a female is the one keeping reptiles as pets. My husband and i currently have six snakes and two dogs...the most common question we get is " Aren't you worried about the snakes eating your dogs?" Now why would I worry about that common sense dictates that the snakes and dogs are never in contact. It does suprise me that even after explaining things in the simplest terms i can use people still ask me to help them understand why i enjoy my snakes. I just shrug my shoulders and tell them it's my thing. Don't ever let anyone get you down be proud of your snakes and your interest and love of them.

Maybe I am just being optimistic/oblivious to my surroundings, but to me it seems like views are changing about keeping snakes. I always talk to people about my snakes, even at work, and people seem to think its cool, and when I get to show them off people are genuinelly fascinated. But I do agree that having your animals in nice clean cages makes a big difference in how people view the hobby as a whole.

Plus I don't just talk about snakes all the time... and when I do I try to teach and not be arrogant. If someone talked to me about their hobby for an hour I would give them a blank stare too.

I should start proof-reading my posts for spelling errors...:/ sorry folks.

According to accepted "norm" we all are weird. Just ask yourself these questions....

At the end of the day does your hobby give you more than it takes? Does it give you pleasure? Can you honestly say you are not hurting anyone with your hobby?

As long as your answers are YES, where's the problem?
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count (02/01/2010):
42.61 BRB
27.40 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats