Super new to this forum, and I'm so glad I found it! My name is Amira, I'm 21, and I live in Los Angeles, CA. Here's my experience with snakes. When I was younger I used to be terrified of snakes. I thought that all snakes were "poisonous"
and that if you came across one you were certain to die that day. When my dad and I were on hikes together he'd always tell me that when he was a little boy he used to kill any snake that he saw, and explained his hatred of snakes that didn't stem from fear but from something else I'm sure is partly backed by some religious notion.
After years and years of avoiding snakes at all costs out on hikes and such, I learned that a lot of snakes out in the mountains and woods were not always going to be venomous and that usually biting is their last resort and not an immediate instinct when seeing a human walk by a few yards away.
Then one day about 3 years ago out in Hollywood, my friends and I approached a guy with a
friendly adult boa around his neck, and I've been fascinated ever since. I've handled snakes just a handful of times, but each time proved to me that they are amazing, lovable, and adorable creatures. When you look into their little eyes they just seem so innocent and kind and curious.
It's extremely hard to try convincing my parents (one of which is
deathly afraid) that snakes aren't evil and savage animals and that they can be just as fun to own as a dog. I don't think they're getting there yet any time soon, but I'm still determined to raise and keep a snake soon and I'm excited to learn even more about them from you all!