Reptile & Amphibian Forums

got a new roommate and his first question was "why keep snakes?". after keeping several different kinds of animals (dogs, cats, hamsters, rabbits, etc) i understood his questioning. it isnt like Fluffy brings in the morning paper, Ash doesnt nuzzle me with a cold nose in the morning to wake me up, and ive never heard of a morph that can sit up and beg for food. so what exactly is it about these creatures that make us want to care for them? my only thoughts to give to my roommate (besides 'theyre just cool') was that they are easier to maintain and have very good shock value when revealed to the public. also the fact that everyone has seen the cute little puppy or kitten but lot of people are curious to see a snake kill or eat or just slither around. so my question is this: why do you keep snakes as pets and what (not who)made you decide that you just had to have one (or more)?

-----

1.1.0 Colombian Redtail Boas
2.1.0 Sumatran Blood Pythons
1.0 Black Blood Python
1.0 Dumeril's Boa
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.0 Texas Tiger Salamander

apparently no one in here knows why they keep snakes. or nobody read the post. this isnt just a blood python forum question, but also a boa forum question. im trying to get input from everyone. heck, the people in the Dumeril boa forum replied (yes, people actually come in there). what i cant believe is that of all people, Angel never posted to this. lol i thought i he'd be the first one.
-----

1.1.0 Colombian Redtail Boas
2.1.0 Sumatran Blood Pythons
1.0 Black Blood Python
1.0 Dumeril's Boa
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.0 Texas Tiger Salamander

Your question requires significant thought, which with a brain as worn as mind, requires time. But I think the "why" is made more difficult because it is not an intellectual, cognitive event but an intuitive phenomenom that pretty much defies explanation. Reminds me of the of the response atributed to some architypal jazz musician. Question: "What is Jazz?" Answer:" If you have to ask, you'll never understand."
Its like that. Now, excuse me, I got to go clean cages

Good response.

Each person has there own reasons, here is my shake at this since my mind is somewhat freed up now that I am done cleaning cages:

A desire to stand out giving one separate identity

The need to care for something but less demanding than other pets requiring daily care and attention

Everything else causes you to sneeze (don't laugh, that is how I started!)

Love the texture and feel-basic physical, tactile response to the animal (some like fur, feathers others keeled scales...)

Nostalgia...it was the only wild animal you could catch and keep without getting youself into trouble. After all, besides your parents who minded you taking a turtle or frog out of the wild. Try that with a falcon, rabbit or coyote. I still want a opossum as a pet....

Facing your fears...not everyone falls in love with herps at first sight. Sort of like skydiving...over and over again...

-----
================================
Support your local herp society
www.chicagoherp.org

I keep snakes, and many other animals, because they're unique. They're unlike anything else. They lack legs, yet they manage to move as swiftly as anything else on land or water. They manage to swallow their food whole, thanks to the marvels of evolution. The behavior is fascinating as well. I am intrigued by their choice of hiding spots, basking temps, and their behavior when I enter their domain, both carrying food and without. I also love the human behaviors associated with these creatures. Human behavior varies from sheer terror to unbridled fascination, and everything in between. I love watching people overcome their fears, and I feel a sense of accomplishment when I'm the one to help them.

Each animal is an individual, and unique, but each species shares remarkable characteristics that make you want one of each. And then there's the morphs, where a tweak in the genetic code makes these stunning creatures even more appealing.

They require specific care. Without me, my snake would die. While my snake doesn't love me, I love her because of the mothering instinct that results from her need of me.

There's probably 100 more reasons, but thats all I got for now.

click on the link and read the replies
Link

-----

1.1.0 Colombian Redtail Boas
2.1.0 Sumatran Blood Pythons
1.0 Black Blood Python
1.0 Dumeril's Boa
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.0 Texas Tiger Salamander

Posted by: PBM at Sun Jan 22 00:38:13 2006 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

I agree, I actually prefer to NOT show people my snakes. I'm not keeping them to impress anyone in any way. My question to him would be why keep dogs or cats? They hump peoples legs, scratch up furniture, shed all over your stuff, pee on your carpet, chase kids, run into the neighbors yard, crap in the neighbors yard...heck crap in their own yard too(that's fun!), get on your furniture, bark in the middle of the night at absolutely nothing, tear up window screens(cats), scratch up your door to be let back in, lick you in the face after licking their own butts, jump up on people or shove their noses in peoples crotches, crap in houseplants, drink out of the toilets, etc. etc. et cetera! Have you ever watched a dog eat, I don't know anyone that does! How many snakes have you fed and STILL find it fascinating to watch them eat? Ever watch a dog run across a yard(chasing a car, kid, or whatever) and think WOW, how beautiful? But, how amazing is it that an animal with no legs can conquer almost any obstacle with absolute stealth? Snakes are ever intriguing, dogs are in general a pain in the butt! Take care
-----

1.1.0 Colombian Redtail Boas
2.1.0 Sumatran Blood Pythons
1.0 Black Blood Python
1.0 Dumeril's Boa
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.0 Texas Tiger Salamander

First, whats the point of having something beautiful and unique, be it art or animal, if you can't share it with others???

Second, my dog and cats don't do any of those things. Ok, my dog still pees on the carpet, but I've only had him three weeks and we're potty training. Having a dog that is a good natured member of the family is no different than getting a 12 foot burm to be comfortable sitting in the living room with your children. It takes time, patience, and training.

Lastly, I appreciate unique characteristics in all my animals, not just the snakes. I love the conditioning of my fish that makes them beg for food, I love the instinctive stalking behavior of my cats, and the funny coughing sound they make when they aren't able to get to their "prey." I even find a swiftly running dog beautiful. My best friend has a Weimaraner that we take out and run in the cornfields off leash, and there's nothing more beautiful than a well muscled animal stretching its legs, be it a racehorse or a dog. Maybe someday my pup will run like that too.. but right now he's just a clutz.

cool looking dog. by chance you didnt name it "sinatra" did you?
-----

1.1.0 Colombian Redtail Boas
2.1.0 Sumatran Blood Pythons
1.0 Black Blood Python
1.0 Dumeril's Boa
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.0 Texas Tiger Salamander

His name is Romeo...

which is what my favorite breeder/mentor tells me all the time. People have busy weekends!
I keep snakes because I was always facinated by "creepy crawlies" (as my mom called them) as a kid, but never allowed to keep any pet that wasn't cute and fuzzy.
I got into them many,many moons later. At first, my excuse was that they were for my boys; but now I proudly own up and claim them as "Mommy's".
I am mezmerized by their movement, their colors, patterns and genetic posibilities. It is like a science, arts and crafts hobby all rolled into one.

I will say as crazy as I am about my animals.I Have come to accept that they will never return affection, or be part of the family the way a dog or cat will.( no matter how much I project these emotions on them)

-----
"There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness"
COLD BLOOD.........WARM HEART

While I can't speak for everyone on this topic I can tell you why I keep snakes. I find them completely fascinating! The fact that so many people hate them Is I believe because they don't understand them. There is so much mystique about them that some people can't get past and see the truth. Snakes are beautiful in all their forms. The way they move is nothing short of poetry in motion...I have even heard it called erotic or sensuos. I keep snakes also because they are easy to care for. For years I raise birds and the daily grind of preparing food and cleaning cages ,interacting with each animal took a great deal of time that I do not have now. I work nights and it takes me just a few hours a week to take care of my rather large collection of snakes. I get to enjoy them more than If I had dogs or cats. I like snakes because they are different. I like to teach people that they are not dangerous or evil. They are just misunderstood predators that deserve a place on this earth like all other animals. I keep snakes for the challenge of breeding them. I like the thought that I may get a rare animal to breed. I like the community of people you meet when you work with snakes. We are a breed apart. I am talking about those of who have a true passion for their animals and will talk for hours about the diffrent aspects of husbandry . the truth of the matter is I keep snakes because I love them.