Don't like snakes! Who's with me?

[tonini3059]

I like how pet snakes don't have a weird smell like wild snakes! I like mine all except for one cause she always strikes at the tank thinking she is going to get fed.

 

[ranchhand]

I used to be scared of snakes. Then I made it a point to educate myself about them, because I run into so many - this time of year, on a daily basis. Venomous snakes around the property are history. Non-venomous are alive and well, though not always where originally encountered.

Do I want any as pets? NO. But I don't run around screaming either, it seems to encourage people to put them in your face.

I prefer to NOT show my weaknesses!

 

[Funky Feathers]

Awww, but they're such cutie pies!! Especially the little babies.

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
I reckon - but how come I only find the big ones?

Found one under one of the coops yesterday....

Following pic not for the squeamish, but I can say it was just a pinprick. Didn't really feel much different from wrestling chicken wire. Needless to day, it was properly cleaned and treated, and the big boy is now in a nature preserve many miles away.



My first and hopefully ONLY bite this year, last year I had a bite to my ankle. DH has had 3 bites this year, but also lacks good sense.

Edited because that first image was a bit much!

 

[dntd]

I have 2 corn snakes and a ball python. My favorite reptile is my dune gecko, they don't climb and are so tine a 10g tank is enough for a trio of them. They make noise and to top it off are soo itty bitty they don't look real

 

[TwistedSerpent]

You probably only find the big ones because theyre much easier to see, as well as the fact the bigger you are means the fewer things out there to eat you so you dont have to stay hidden all the time like the smaller ones.

Wild snakes smell when scared because they musk, captive bred snakes have the same ability but many (depending on the species, some are worse then others) are so adapted human contact they just dont feel the need to.

I keep quite a few aggressive snakes, and I have been bit quite a bit, although most often its the none aggressive ones that I'm just not being as careful with, and tiny babies who havent learned yet I'm not going to eat them. Their teeth are so small it barely breaks the skin, a stubbed toe is so much more painful. When given the choice I choose being bit over being pooped on.

For those of you that tend to panic when you see one, remember that like all creatures snakes can sense fear and stress, which in turns stresses them more and makes them react more. Basic fight or flight instinct but when your so small with no legs flight isnt always the best option for a huge hairless creature looming over them screaming and flailing around. Natures tried and true method for the meek to scare off attackers is to make yourself look bigger and tougher then you actually are. A little understanding and you may turn the fear into fascination.

Their scales are often smooth like fingernails, due to being made from keratin which is what our fingernails and hair is made out of. If you can touch a fingernail you can touch a snake. Some species have raised keels in the middle of each scale making them feel more like sandpaper. Depending on the size and shape of the scales different species feel different, from smooth to a little bumpy to silk or velvet like.

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
That. Screaming never helps. And I would much rather have the pinpricks that a stubbed toe.

 

[theOEGBman]

I looooooooove snakes and own 7 of them. I dont understand the fear people have of them. But Im afraid of deep, dark water and some people love it. Everyone has their own preferences, ehh? Its when people start trashing snakes & spouting false statements that I get frustrated.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Last night they put the snake outside and this morning it was gone!! YEAH! ( And NO I didn't let it go! )

 

[DKMfan86]

Quote:
Depends really. I find my snakes feel smoother than my chickens legs and slightly cooler too. Sorta like touching a stuffed fish

Compare the skin of a boa constrictor, to that of a ball python for an example and you can notice that scales, and everything all vary by species and such.

-Totally not in response to you, but people as a whole-

Snakes are only poisonous if you eat them, other wise they are venomous!!!

The comment stating that they are escape artists, there are ways around this, an example would be the cage I have in my basement (I got out of the hobby, for my ex) front opening lid (They can be afraid, if you come at them, at the top of it, after all think about birds of prey.) and it's quite simple to set up a latch to lock it in place.

I can also see where a lot of the fears can stem from, especially from people who live in areas with some venomous species of snakes, so no offense taken here, but if anyone needs any help with their pets, I am more then willing to try and be of help.