Perpetuating the Myth

[Yness]

So I am still a newbie...I don't think I will ever consider myself anything but....I am just wondering, whenever I see snakes portrayed negatively in the media...either in the news or on TV or even in my nephews video games I get upset. Am I alone on this? I just think that snakes have a bad enough reputation without people perpetuating the myth of danger. Any thoughts?

[mykee]

I believe it all goes back to ignorance. Those who have never been around or properly educated regarding reptiles, fear them. My parents, who are in their late 50's are deathly afraid of my snakes, namely because they were brought up being told that "snakes are the devil" (refer to Genesis). Unfortunate, but true.

[marisa]

I agree with Mykee. Its people just passing off bad info, and old ways of doing things sticking around .

My BF has a great grandmother who was always taught snakes should not only be avoided as a bite from certain ones meant sure death way back when, but also to kill any near human dwellings. This sounds monsterous to us today, but frankly that's the only way they knew back then and a snake bite, while very serious now (from hots) was MUCH more serious 50+ years ago. And sometimes things are just "beaten" in so to speak to the point its hard to see a snake otherwise.

Personally we do not try and argue or change her views as she is old, and we respect the way she had to grow up. But that's just one person. On a whole the only thing you can do is keep giving out CORRECT information at every turn.

Marisa

[AnniesMom]

I personally feel that part of my responsibility as a snake keeper is to help educate people, who want to know, about snakes. Much of my childhood was spent helping my mother take her snakes into schools and hospitals for educational reasons, and i have continued that practice with my snakes. Just to reassure everyone out there, I always ensure ample heating in their cages and constant supervision. My husband often helps me when we go to a school with them. 2 are better than one. When seeing how I transport my snakes, my vet said that they are being very well taken care of. Their health is important.