My family thinks I'm crazy!

[Cobra89]

I haven't received a ton of negative feedback since I really started getting into the hobby, but I have been VERY surprised of what some people think about snakes. I never realized how terrified my friend is of snakes, I think he would have a heart attack if he were to come into physical contact with one..But he thinks they're slimy! Of all things! I never thought anyone actually thought that, and he's a quite well educated, successful individual. Some things that seemed like common sense to me about snakes were mind-blowing revelations for other people. Like people thinking a snake could just easily strangle you if it's around your neck, or worse, people who believe if a snake is around your neck, it's GOING to strangle you. Like the snake thinks "hey I'm around something guess I gotta constrict and try to eat it".

Nobody outside of the general hobby would have guessed most of these reptiles live 20+ years in captivity with proper care. Of course you all probably know the dreaded "they will only grow as large as their environment". Lots of people are amazed snakes can swim.

[CameraSkunk]

I just purchased my first snake this week after a month or so of research and educating myself. I have gotten a lot of "why would you even" sort of comments.

As to the comment Cobra89 made I can see why some might think they are slimy when they do appear to be very shiny which I guess some might think means they are slimy?

As for the "I'm just going to constrict" idea ... I'm finding through videos and just observing even my own snake over the last week that these animals are more intelligent then I first thought. They seem to recognize their owners after time and follow some interesting patterns that show distinct personalities. I guess its still important to remember to take some precautions and always accept that a bite could happen. You can take the animal out of the wild but not the wild out of the animal. Some I guess just can't see the grace in these animals that makes them amazing creatures to keep and observe.

[DJC Reptiles]

Originally Posted by Cobra89

But he thinks they're slimy! Of all things! I never thought anyone actually thought that....Like people thinking a snake could just easily strangle you if it's around your neck, or worse, people who believe if a snake is around your neck, it's GOING to strangle you. Like the snake thinks "hey I'm around something guess I gotta constrict and try to eat it".

Lol, I still can't get my Dad to know the difference between a reptile and an amphibian. To this day he still thinks alligators are amphibians because they live in water.