Everyone asks me why?!

[purplephilia]

Errrr...the only reasons I have for caring for a snake (one so far) is because 1) I love animals in general and 2) IT LOOKS LIKE A RAINBOW!!!! Haha I know that probably sounds bad, but now that I've actually got my rainbow here with me, he is SO much cooler than I imagined he would be. I love this little dude so much! It makes me so happy to see him cruising around on his leafy vine superhighway, taking a little dip in his tub, and just generally exploring for hours.

Also, I gotta say that Steve Irwin's son Robert was kind of my segue into reptiles. I'm 34 now and have always loved reptiles as much as any other animal, but I never thought I could have one as a pet because I'm a little overly sensitive/emotional about critters dying (crickets, mice, rats, etc) and I always assumed snakes were commonly fed live prey. In fact when I was about 8 or 9 I had a pet rat at my mom's house and my mom's boyfriend fed my Minnie to his snake while I was gone (at my dad's during the week). But I saw Robert talking about a panther iguana and, long story short, I now have a gargoyle gecko and a rainbow boa and I love both of them so much and it feels so rewarding and comforting and satisfying to care for them and provide for them. I have no maternal instincts whatsoever when it comes to humans but I sure feel it when it comes time to do my daily care routines for my non-human babies.

[purplephilia]

Originally Posted by akane

Cleaner, quieter, easier, safer if you just pay attention or stay away from the bigger stuff....

Oh my gosh this too! I was actually joking with my friend the other day that I think I'm becoming one of those people who prefers reptiles over cats and dogs (I'm a huge big time cat lady here) because at least my gecko and snake don't growl constantly (my 3yo cat is not a fan of my 1yo and 8mo) or go tearing around the house knocking crap over all the time.

[Magdalen]

Originally Posted by akane

really injure me less often than the freaking cat and a whole lot less than the rabbits. I've got scars from rabbits. We joke on the rabbit raising forum that if end up at the hospital for something they are going to assume we are cutter from all the sharp bloody lines down our wrists and forearms. Rabbit nails can cut so cleanly it's almost like a scalpel where you don't even know you've been cut or how deep until you realize you've streaked your clothes, the cages, and a couple rabbits in blood.

OMG I feel you on this one so much! Hahah I got my first rabbit about 6 years ago. I never was much of a rabbit person (my sisters had them as kids and I thought they were boring other than I liked the Californians) but I saw my Harvey needed a home and I'm a sucker for unwanted animals. But I swear he's turned me into the crazy rabbit lady haha. I love that little nutter but I always joke that rabbits are a**holes, cause well they are. And such big personalities too. And that he puts the cats in their place. He's been sick a few times and I always know when he's not feeling well (doesn't put up a fuss getting meds) and when he's feeling better (I end up with scratches down my arm). I figure if I can medicate a rabbit I can medicate anything.

As for why I keep reptiles/snakes because they interest me and I'm an animal lover of ALL animals. I have a bit of a zoo going.