Fed up the the negativity towards my pet snakes

[cinnabunbun]

These are great rules, I think I will make this my goal to work towards. And I laughed really hard on the shower part. :rofl:



I agree! Snake mites, ticks and fleas would not be considered harmless in my house. Nobody hurts my babies!!

My general rule of thumb when it comes to extra living things in my home, if they can and need to harm me to live, then they need to get the boot. And maybe the common roach. God those things are like the legion!! Long time ago, a brown recluse was hanging on my dresser right next to me as I was playing games. I slowly walked away and had my brother take him out. It was scary, but I don't think either of us want to die trying to kill it.

I seriously thought you use a cooking spray to kill them mites Dolly's Mom hah! I'll keep that in mind if I have a case of mites for Levi!

 

[Karl_Mcknight]

Spiders??? Did somebody say Spiders???

I've had 3 dogs and 2 cats growing up as a kid.

I had a 55 gallon tank with various tropical fish including a Plecostomus that grew to over a foot long. I finally got tired of all the hassle when setting it up and moving and so forth, so I got rid of it.

I've had 5 snakes over the past 40+ years. 2 Boa Constrictors (1 lived to be about 23 years of age), a Ball Python, a California King and currently a Corn snake.

But Spiders? This is what I think of Spiders.............

Am I being "Negative?"

LOL.... I hope so

 

[axis1]

But Spiders? This is what I think of Spiders.............

Am I being "Negative?"

LOL.... I hope so

If all spiders looked like THAT sucker, I don't think you're being negative at ALL!!

Spiders like that one in the picture, tarantulas with hairy legs (are there any other kind?), and centipedes (SKEEVY!!) can ALL live somewhere else for all I care!

But I would bet ANYTHING that there's folks who actually believe those things can be "cute" in the purest sense of the word. I did a search on Google a while back and discovered that there are forums for all sorts of critters, including hissing roaches, horse flies, and scorpions, I would think that as snake lovers who sometimes get judged adversely because of the pets WE own that we have to have tolerance for others who keep things that would make the hairs on the back of our necks stand up!! Live and let live . . .er, uh . . . but somewhere else!!!

And I KNOW that spider that Karl blew to smithereens eats other things I don't like, but I'm with HIM, 'cause I wouldn't want THAT sucker showing up in MY shower (or telling me what channel to turn to when I'm watching television EITHER!!)!

 

[Myca]

I went to pick up a couple of snakes at FedEx today (oops, they arrive tomorrow!). The guy asked what kind of live animal shipment I was getting so I told him it was just a couple of harmless young corn snakes. As I was leaving he said, "If they get out, I'm gonna kill them." How rude! I told him if his dog got loose I'd shoot it, that that's the equivalent of what he just said to me and it was uncalled for. I stormed out before he could respond. The nerve of people. I'm so done with it.

My response is , if you kill my hatchling corn snake, I will see you in court.

 

[Myca]

I have found that negativity towards all animals in general has gotten much worse over the years. That includes dogs and cats. I don't know if people are just more vocal and don't mind voicing their opinion or if people are less exposed to animals. As far as a phobia goes, I never hold that against someone, they just can't help that. I don't share my corn snakes with many people. In fact, most of my friends don't know I have them.

 

[DLena]

I don't put any of my pets in someone's face, but I got tired of trying to remember not to say anything if I was all excited about something, or hiding my phone because my background is one of my snakes. Just like with the dogs that I don't allow to swarm my house guests, I offer: Would you like to pet the dogs? Would you like to see my vivs? if one of them is "available" based on feeding, shedding... I offer Would you like to touch or hold one? If they decline, I don't push it. If they say yes, I point to the Purell and proceed.

 

[OregonSnake]

I agree. It drives me crazy when people try to put me down for owning snakes and I usually try to keep it mostly to myself. Of the people I have told, many have told me that I don't look like the type of girl that would own/be interested in snakes (whatever that is supposed to mean). My mother and grandmother especially don't care for them. Lucky for me, my close friends, including my roommate, are very accepting of my pets. My boyfriend even decided to get his own. In general, I actually see a lot more hate towards my cat from my peers. People like to point out that they are dog people whenever I tell them about my kitty.


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[DollysMom]

I think that the fact that we find ourselves not only not mentioning our pets, but at times consciously hiding them, says a lot about the attitudes of others.

I've never shown my snakes to anyone who didn't already own snakes or someone who specifically asked to see them.

About the only place I'm more in their face is Facebook because I do occasionally post pics in my feed. It's there I've gotten some pretty discouraging comments from some folks who should know better. As long as you can hide any post you don't want to see, I'll keep posting pics of my snabies from time to time!

 

[Karl_Mcknight]

I think that the fact that we find ourselves not only not mentioning our pets, but at times consciously hiding them says a lot about the attitudes of others.

I've never shown my snakes to anyone who didn't already own snakes or someone who specifically asked to see them.................

Just as a lot of people "walk their dogs" in the evenings or carry their dogs to the park, etc, I do the same with Rufus. I walk my snake. Of course he's not on a leash, he prefers to wrap around my neck or hang from my arm.

And when I take him into PetsMart with me, nobody is paying attention to the dogs. Everyone is following me around.

I get approached by a lot of people. Many of them say things like - "Cool" or "Can I touch him, I've never touched a snake before" or even the occasional "Why would anyone want a snake?" To that I reply, "Well, I don't have to listen to it bark all night, and I don't have to scrape its litter box twice a day, he doesn't claw up the furniture, he doesn't poop in other people's yards, he doesn't require yearly rabies or distemper shots, he only eats once a week, when he sheds it's always in one piece in his cage rather than all over the house, and he will probably outlive your dog or cat."

Funny, when people get the facts, their attitude suddenly changes. The few who contend "The only good snake is a dead snake" are not my friends anyway.

 

[DollysMom]

I'm glad Rufus tolerates and even seems to enjoy the handling. Not all snakes do. Many of them would be way overstressed by it. That's one reason Rufus is so special.

 

[albertagirl]

But I would bet ANYTHING that there's folks who actually believe those things can be "cute" in the purest sense of the word. I did a search on Google a while back and discovered that there are forums for all sorts of critters, including hissing roaches, horse flies, and scorpions

There are definitely people who show off their spiders and talk about how cute they are exactly the way we do with our snakes! And if you're ever bored, go on YouTube and look up AntsCanada. Ant farming has come a looooooong way since when we were kids!! But I have to say... horse flies? Really? Horse flies? Geez, I guess people can take an interest in absolutely anything! On that note, I got laughed at yesterday for not wanting to hurt a tree. :rofl: So yes, I guess we each have our thing and the whole point is not to judge others for whatever their thing is. Even if it's "creepy slimy scary evil" (cute fascinating comical clean quiet) snakes!!!

 

[Asmodeus]

I had giant madagascan hissing cockroaches as pets back in the day. still want to get back into them. they are super cool insects!!!

people have always been kinda weirded out by my pets. I'm just used to it now lol

 

[axis1]

I had giant madagascan hissing cockroaches as pets back in the day. still want to get back into them. they are super cool insects!!!

people have always been kinda weirded out by my pets. I'm just used to it now lol

OK, but do you think they are CUTE?

Check THESE babies out: https://www.google.com/search?q=ora...v&ved=0ahUKEwi8yPqI0rTNAhVBPz4KHXQzA8UQsAQIWQ

I find that the "Cape Cod" and "Orange Head" varieties are actually the CUTEST to wanna CUDDLE with!!!
:crazy02:

 

[Asmodeus]

Those are cute!!!!

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[Zeina]

This a great thread to vent out your frustrations! Love it!

I have, get this, I have had some friends and FAMILY

 

[Zeina]

Ok it entered before I could finish lol.

I have had friends and family UNFRIEND me because I post lots of pictures of my snakes on Facebook.
I get messages and people leave comments about how gross my boys are and how they can't stand my pictures.
I have to look at pictures of your toddlers with food all over their face every day, but a few pictures of my snake in a tree and you lose your mind?

It is nice to be on this forum and have people actually be impressed with your snakes. And to have people understand how you feel about them and admire them. It makes you proud. I wasn't ever afraid of snakes, but I never thought I would have one as a pet. Now that I have two, I am just in awe at how cool they are. I love looking at them and taking pictures and the feedings.. I love how easy they are to care for and how they bring beauty into my life. And I am glad there is a community here that loves this feeling, too.

Keep on lovin' your scale kids, I know I will!

 

[DollysMom]

So well said, Zeina!

I'm going to bed now and those are great words have in my mind.

 

[Zeina]

See, I am severely allergic to cats.
My mom has one and she's precious.
I don't have any desire to own a cat, but I'm not going to complain about someone else's. Those are their babies. It's just called courtesy and manners, people. You don't always have to open your mouth and say negative stuff.

As a snake community we know all too well the negativity that people feel towards our kids. I've just come to accept that it's part of being a snake parent, as I'm sure we all have. The best thing we can all do is continue to educate people on how awesome they are!

 

[axis1]

. . . I get messages and people leave comments about how gross my boys are and how they can't stand my pictures.
I have to look at pictures of your toddlers with food all over their face every day, but a few pictures of my snake in a tree and you lose your mind?

It is nice to be on this forum and have people actually be impressed with your snakes. And to have people understand how you feel about them and admire them. It makes you proud. I wasn't ever afraid of snakes, but I never thought I would have one as a pet. Now that I have two, I am just in awe at how cool they are. I love looking at them and taking pictures and the feedings.. I love how easy they are to care for and how they bring beauty into my life. And I am glad there is a community here that loves this feeling, too.

Keep on lovin' your scale kids, I know I will!

Bravo Zeina!! Very well said!! One of the reasons I actually disconnected my FB account. I'm just SO over what is POPULAR by other people's standards. I follow a couple of cable TV serials since my ON AGAIN/OFF AGAIN disability has unfortunately gotten the best of me this past year, and last night Game of Thrones actually aired an episode I would watch multiple times, because it had the grisliest, longest, most-savagely detailed and gruesomely performed battle scenes probably EVER filmed in the history of film-making! It is somewhat sad to admit that even as a social worker who is supposed to see the positive even in the worst of our fellow humans that I am finally turning into a genuine misanthrope (though you would probably never know it if you saw me in action at work, the ULTIMATE job in ACTING!)! I LOVED it because of its graphic violence involving PEOPLE, who just suck in that they (WE) can do the most horrible stuff to one another, not to mention to other animals who don't deserve it!

Now that I got THAT off my chest, I have to get going to work (I man the suicide prevention hotline every other Monday morning!).

Have a GREAT DAY fellow snake lovers!!!

PS. The next time someone tells you to try to see the light at the end of the tunnel, first check to make sure it is NOT an oncoming TRAIN!!! :bang:

:grabbit:

 

[Asher9]

I am lucky enough to live with people who don't mind my snake and even kind of like him. But I definitely agree, you don't say "oh your (insert pet type here) is so creepy" (which some of my friends have done)