Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone I just wanted to have some opinions on this topic. Steve and I have been in the breeding business for welll... oh wait this was our first season! And the more call backs and meetings we have had with people the more I think I notice the shocked look on their face that I am as involved with the boas and pythons as Steve is. I guess I’m kind of getting the feeling like its Steve who gets all the credit and people view me as the girlfriend behind the scenes who just supports her boyfriend, but isn’t really interested in the snakes when actually we are both so absorbed in these animals that we think and talk about little else. I was just half wondering if other ladies out there have gotten these looks and if I am the odd ball that I feel like because I love reptiles of all types and just feel a certain bond with them. Just trying to get input I’m not in any words trying to insinuate that all people think us rare and beautiful ladies are odd because they love their snakes I just wanted some input on the topic... So please don’t think I hate anyone, I just want a friendly discussion!

Sincerely,
Rose Hipskind

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www.srsnakes.com

I'm actually female and do all my reptile caretaking myself. I've been into herps for years but only started serious keeping in 97. I'm just now raising up my female boa to breed with my 4 yr old male.. But thats 3 years down the road right now... I've kept rescued iguana's.. kingsnakes.. milksnakes.. turtles.. amphibeans of various sorts not to mention all sorts of other animals for foster homes or rehab purposes.. People do tend to look at me funny when I tell them the reptiles I have... most of them ask how I can stand owning snakes....they just don't get it.
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Lucien

1.1 Columbian Redtail Boa (BCI)(Sutekh and Isis)
2.2 Leopard geckos (2 Blizzards (Caine and Goliath), 1 het Blizzard (Lilith) and 1 Tangerine Albino (Tequila Sunrise ...Tiki for short))
0.1 Savannah Monitor (Kiros)
13 rats
1 Gerbil
2 Dogs (Loki and Storm)
2 cats (Sahara and Hercules)

dont feel like your the only we go through that here. Whats worse then what you described is we set up alot fo shows togther and well get alot of questions, someone will ask something and shell answer with correct info and then theyll come to me and ask again as though she wasnt qualified to answer, sometimes guys just are more comfortable talking to other guys, that whole male thing kind of like talking hot rods or something, most guys veiw it like its a guys world, its hard, my other half hates that when someone second guesses her and comes to me and I dont blame her one bit, then I am caught in the catch 22, how do I handle, its kind of dissrespecfull to her but yet I can see the point of veiw, I know theres alot of women out there that knwo way more about car parts then I do but growing up all my buddies that knew alot about cars were guys, so Id seek a guys opinion on car parts before a womens, is it right, no, sorta the same thing most of us guys thatcame up within the past 10yrs did so with other uys teaching us about the reptiles. there were other women around but untill the last 2or 3yrs there wasnt as many and they didnt stand out as much, take LindaH here in this forum she knows what shes doing has no fear and lets people know that, alot of people respect her, myself for one, the ghost market shes the best thing to ever happen to it, I really respect her work and time shes put in to educating people in this forum with them. there wasnt many women like that back in the day, it was all guys I learned from, my other half has always been one to shock me, Ive been doing this 5 times longer then her and some species she can run circles around me with, shes has a broader knowledge then I do about alot of species, Ive always been kind of focussed on a few species and not really paid much mind to others. anyway my point of the whole rant is can see where you are coming from. Jason
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Jason & Danica
Well, I'm off my rocker, I fell out of my tree, I've been standin' on shaky ground, There's no helping me, yeah, I can't remember my number, I can't remember your name
I can't remember all the trouble I'm in, child....... Well, I'm insane(Ratt, Im Insane)
Classic Dums frozen feeders

I bet Rich and John will just give those away...LOL.. J/K

Of course if there is some slim chance that they would like to give one away.. You have my email address, and my home address...LOL

Congrats!
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http://accforum.proboards23.com/

Im sorry that you feel like you are viewed like that. I guess growing up with my parents running a small pet store (my mother mainly) I have never got into that frame of mind.

Every show I go to, or every person I talk to via the internet. I usually assume that they own, and operate their business/hobby... Unless they give me a reason to think other wise.
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http://accforum.proboards23.com/

I know exactly what you mean believe me. I was told I am just a woman in a mans hobby and couldn't make it, I was very hurt by it, but that's ok I will continue on anyway. I have only been in the Hobby, Oct will be 3 years, and I love reptiles, Boas being my absolute favorite. I just had my first litter and am very proud of them, keeping them lol. I am continuing to learn and hope to make a difference in this hobby one day.
The picture is of my 8ft girl that was just bred and on the heat
Thanks
Shawna

I have noticed at shows (I go as a buyer)sometimes venders overlook me. I kinda thought it may be because I look much younger than I am & I am a female. When I start to ask questions many are very good about answering & are real good about answering when the cash comes out! I still get odd looks from my students when I bring in my big snakes for reptile day, they are shocked that a 5' tall female would keep a 10' snake. But they also look at me as someone with answers (sort of an "expert" about all these "weird" animals. A few of my students are really getting interested in herps & hopefully having a female teaching them about them they will be more open minded!

People too look at me with mouths agape when they discover I am into reptiles, including snakes. Not necessarily because I am female, though that is a part of it, but the other part is because I am the exact opposite of a tattooed biker chick. It seems they would be more willing to accept snake owning from a woman with tattoos and leather than someone who could be the woman next door, a housewife, a mother, a church member, etc.

So, the bias is not only for gender, but for appearance as well.
I'm sure some of the guys out there have experienced the appearance bias..
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Photos

I am soooo thrilled every time I see a new female poster here, or I talk/email with another "lady" boa enthusiast. I am older than a lot of people on this forum and kept boas from 1968 through 1980. There was very little information (that I knew of) and I had only a few boa buddies where I lived.....and they were all guys. My boas, then, were only pets. I had never even heard of people breeding them in captivity, although I'm sure they were.....somewhere I got back into the hobby in 2000, because I enjoyed my snakelings so much years ago. I enjoy them even more now. They are still my pets, however it has been tons of fun doing the breeding thing.

I am also horse crazy and most of my friends are horse addicts, so they sort of understand the "boa thing" Most of my co-workers think it's just pure weirdness.

My greatest joy is when I can show a non-snake person, who is fearful, just how mellow my boas are. Then, before you know it, they are holding one and thinking it's not half bad after all!! I love showing people that snakes can be gentle and tolerant.

I will always be just a hobbyist. I enjoy my boas and prefer the silliness of talking baby-talk to a reptile who can't hear me. They endure hugs and smooches with grace, and they go with me to feed the horses, crawling around in the prairie grass while I do the chores.

As time marches on, I think we will see even more "wimmin" in the hobby. I think it's great.....and I say "The more the merrier"!!!

Oh.....Thank you, Jason, for the kind words

Well I'm not really in the boa 'business', I only have one boa and one colubrid that I keep simply as pets. But I do get weird looks every time I mention them, and I'm even 'weird looking' myself...

Ok that is probably the stereo typical attitude you gals get when you are talking to us men folk. Why, well as I have been telling my daughters for 17years now, “Men are pigs”. I don’t try and hide the fact that I’m a pig, I just try to be open and honest about it LOL. Actually, I have dealt with some very good and knowledgeable herping women that have the ability to run herp circles around me, Tracy barker and Kathy Love are two of the founding “mothers” of modern herping and each stands out on their own knowledge with out the help of their very knowledgeable husbands.
My wife however is not a herper, she likes the herping trips and goes to the shows with me, but does not work in the day to day care of the snakes. I work in a man dominated field (law enforcement) and the women I work with will get the same reaction there. My direct supervisor if a female SGT. And people will go around her to ask me the questions they have. When they don’t like my answer and ask to speak to my supervisor, I try and warn them that my supervisor is meaner then I am and they really like the answer then. If the continue to demand to speak to the SGT. I direct them back to the Female that they walked around and ignored a few minutes before. I then sit back and watch the show as she proves that she really is meaner than me LOL.
I feel for you gals when dealing with us pigs, but I still think snake chics are cool LOL
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Jim Hopkins "Hoppy"
Hopkins Holesale Herps
Hopfam1@aol.com

Ohh bestill my heart... Im so glad that im not weird for thinking this about the new people i talk with about my snakes..Im glad to know that everyone out there feels with me and its a big relief to know that everyone is coping with it in their own ways.. Ive had the rare man approach and talk to us about the snakes and i will give a perfect answer and they will turn and wait for steve to answer but steve is really amazing at it, he ends up telling them "you know that Rose knows more about these snakes then anyone i know and she did give you correct information" Ive even gotten an appology out of one gentelman.. Its awesome to see all the women at the shows and of the formus...I also feel the tension when at shows of being a young women and a young breeder and many people wont take me seriously when i approach but after a few minutes of talking i can see the people start to realize that i know as much about the snakes as they do and im really an intrested buyer... Welll thank you all for motivating me to be the best women in a mans hobby i can be... you are all awesome and it means alot to me to see all the names and know im not alone in this... AWESOME

Sincerely,
Rose Hipskind

Sincerely,
Rose Hipskind
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www.srsnakes.com

Rose,
. When I first started keeping snakes in the 1960s there were practically no women keeping snakes. I now keep and breed mostly Rainbow Boas. I have been producing and selling baby boids for 12 years. Last year I actually sold more of my baby Rainbow Boas to women than to men. This hobby has really changed over the years.
Good Luck,
Jeff

>>Hey everyone I just wanted to have some opinions on this topic. Steve and I have been in the breeding business for welll... oh wait this was our first season! And the more call backs and meetings we have had with people the more I think I notice the shocked look on their face that I am as involved with the boas and pythons as Steve is. I guess I’m kind of getting the feeling like its Steve who gets all the credit and people view me as the girlfriend behind the scenes who just supports her boyfriend, but isn’t really interested in the snakes when actually we are both so absorbed in these animals that we think and talk about little else. I was just half wondering if other ladies out there have gotten these looks and if I am the odd ball that I feel like because I love reptiles of all types and just feel a certain bond with them. Just trying to get input I’m not in any words trying to insinuate that all people think us rare and beautiful ladies are odd because they love their snakes I just wanted some input on the topic... So please don’t think I hate anyone, I just want a friendly discussion!
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>>Sincerely,
>>Rose Hipskind
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>>www.srsnakes.com

Hey Rose!!!

There are way more of us "herp ladies" out there than folks realize. I used to get a lot of the same reactions that you do - the "behind the scenes girlfriend," even though a mutual love of reptiles (and another awesome female herper - thanks Tracy!!) is what brought my other half & I together in the first place.

I think it helps to find your groove & stick with the animals you love most. For example, Kevin is big into the ball python thing, and while working with all the different ball morphs is fascinating stuff, blood pythons and boas are really where it's at for me personally. Having a somewhat separate focus helps to keep things interesting & also gives us both the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of each other's labor. Additionally, your animals will speak for you - quality snakes transcend gender bias...the proof is in the pudding!

This is one of those things where time is on your side as well. The longer you're in this hobby/industry & the more people get to know you & your critters, the more opportunities the "herp public" will have to put down any preconceived notions & take your knowledge & experience for what it's really worth.

I believe it was Danica from dumerils.com who once so eloquently said, "kill them with kindness then shock them with knowledge!" during the same topic on another forum, and she absolutely hit the nail on the head.

Hang in there woman!!! There are plenty of fellow females who have been in your shoes, and we are certainly here if you need us!!!

Regards,

Kara - NERD

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www.newenglandreptile.com
The Most Extensive Collection of Ball Python Mutations in Captivity

Doesn't matter if your male or female........if you have the love & passion for boids...........GO FOR IT !
Dave @ East TN Reptiles
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Actions Speak louder than words.
Dave @ East TN Reptiles

I guess by now you have figured out you are definitely not alone. There are quite a few of us out here quietly doing our thing. My husband and I are equally addicted to our hobby however I am usually the one that gets the weird looks, which doesn't phase me in the least. My mother became an attorney long before it was common for women to be in that field. So we were always encouraged to do what we like and ignore what others may think. Be knowledgable, gracious, kind and understanding of peoples misconceptions and in the long run you will be recognised and respected. It has traditionally been a mans hobby but that doesn't mean it will stay that way.
Your fellow snake lover,
Kathy

in nature.A couple of weeks ago a friend of mine brought her daughter over to the house so that I could provide info for a Biology project that her daughter was working on.Lucy(daughter) was fascinated from the get go,however she had been exposed to snakes before,much to the chagrin of her mother.Patty was terrified from the second she set foot into the snake room.She stepped on the rubber hose of the shop vac and I was lucky she didn't have a heart attack.She did,however,touch a snake,and with a few more visits,I would bet that I could have her holding an animal.

Ironically,it seems that a lot of people who are scared of snakes wind up being snake nuts themselves.A woman named Grace Wiley was one of the first prominent females in herpetology.She wound up at the Brookfield Zoo.People couldn't believe that this little woman messed around with snakes.She was very careless and free handled Cobras,ect.Unfortunately,she died of a Cobra bite!

My wife was originally terrified,but now she handles them without a thought.

was that grace studied entomology at Kansas U (early 1900's)and was scared to go out into the field because of her fear of snakes.She decided she had to overcome this fear and wound up devoting her life to them.

The reason that I posted Lucy's picture was so that she could call her friends over to the computer during her presentation and show them that she was pictured on an internet forum... an A for sure Lucy!!

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that it's considered very 'lady-like' to be the snake enthusiast. When we've had people come over that didn't know I was a snake nut, they almost invariably ask my other half about 'his' snakes. I get the same surprised look when he tells them they aren't his snakes, they're mine. This is only my second year producing a litter (still waiting for her to drop - sigh). My first litter was back in 2000 (same female).

On a somewhat related topic, I also own a Harley...one of the larger ones. Almost every time someone sees me getting ready to get on my bike, they ask if it belongs to my 'old man'....and there obviously isn't another person with me. I once had a fellow ask me if it was my bike (I was alone in the parking lot, a helmet in one hand and my keys in the other). I calmly looked him in the eye and told him 'Nope, I found the keys and tried them in every Harley I find to see if they'd work'. Then I started her up and hopped on. Yep, I was being a smart-alec, but I just couldn't stop my tongue before I spit it out.

Raven

When I was applying to law schools, I had to prepare a resume to send in with my applications that included all of the "extra-curricular activities" that I was involved in. Since keeping and breeding boas has been my favorite hobby since I was 5, I wanted to include that on the list. When I asked my college advisor how to word it on the list, he said to me, "Wait, YOU breed boas??? You may as well have just told me you smoke crack!!!" Needless to say, I get a similar reaction from most people who aren't into boas also.
The good news is that whenever I go to shows or talk to someone about our boas on the phone, they might be a little shocked that I actually know what I'm talking about at first, but usually, I find that people tend to treat me with same amount of respect that they treat my father (my co-conspirator in the hobby, who btw, was terrified of snakes when he bought me my first pair of BRB's at the age of 5! LOL).
It is unfortunate that people assume that women wouldn't ever be so active in this hobby, but I think part of that does come from the fact that we still aren't so common! As this hobby continues to thrive and as more and more intelligent women breed boas successfully, I'm sure people won't be so shocked by us anymore!
Congrats on your litters this year!!
Amanda Burke

Though I'm not "in the business" yet- still growing up my breeders- I've been keeping snakes since the late 80's and catching the local ones all my life. I've been to plenty of shows and have definitely been overlooked at the tables at times till I pulled out my money and got someone's attention. It's not as bad now as it was in the past, since there are people from all walks of life getting into reptiles. I agree with one of the previous posters who said you really have to know your stuff to overcome the stereotype that women aren't interested/knowledgable when it comes to snakes (especially the big scary ones that eat cute fuzzy things) .
Lora

I am, somewhat, in the same boat as you are. It is encouraging to see all of the 'snake ladies' responses here on the boa forum. You are not alone by any means! I get quite a bit of grief for owning snakes, and the fact that I am a woman somehow makes it harder for people to accept. I am fortunate that I have lady friends also in the hobby. I love my boas more than most people love thier dogs. Unfortuantely, I will have to sell the majority of my collection because my husband is going into the coast guard. It will probably be the hardest thing that I have ever done. Each one has a special place in my heart and it is very difficult to chose one over the other.

It is amusing to see people's reactions to my snake collection. Most definitely think I am very strange. Perhaps I am - but I have an affinity for animals that are typically misunderstood by others and nothing exceeds my fondnes for my boas. It is still a 'man's world' to a certain extent. All we can do is keep our chin up - find amusement in others ignorance and petty injustices. I wish you the best in all of your endeavors!

Erin Urban (Urban Boas)

This is the 2nd herp rescue group I've operated, and folks were always surprised that I'm the one that answers the phone, does the adoptions, etc. My hubby helps, but it's not his passion, and he isn't really involved in the day-to-day things.

So, I know how you feel - but just keep going, and be confident in yourself. Confidence really helps folks believe in you, which in turn, boosts your confidence... hmm...

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Bonnie Keller
VA Reptile Rescue
www.vareptilerescue.org

I agree! People always ask...(mostly the men) so what do you do to help your husband with??? -I'm not married....

AAAARRRGGGG! I love my snakes and like to just sit and look at them. People at my day job think it's gross...

Ignorance! mmmmm

To all the lovely ladies out there keeping herps, GOOD FOR YOU!!!

That's my opinion
Maggie

Well I must say - I agree....

I actually had a guy submit his resume to my dad looking for employment. Received no reply when my dad sent him a reply stating his daughter ran the business and he would need to submit his information to me....hehehehe

Imagine that!

I think it's kinda funny. Yet a little disappointing. But hey, it's all good....

I just keep on doing my thing and it's alot of fun! I love all of my lil guys and I'm sure alot of female herpers out there feel the same. The best of luck to all of the ladies in the business...

Bree
Forever Yours Reptiles