This is a question that has been asked of me and a thousand (million?) other herp keepers. I think it's almost a case of once bitten, twice as determined. But seriously, it is something I have pondered but not really found an adequate answer for. They are not cute and cuddly. They bite (when young), they feel cold (not really) and they have funny eyes. And scales.
As a little tacker I was always into animals ? frogs, lizards, tadpoles, butterflies, beetles, spiders ? you name it, I went looking for it.
I don't think I ever got over it. It's hard to explain to people who do not have a fascination with animals, what the attraction is. It's just there. I think most people actually have it but for a variety of reasons they do not act upon it or ignore it.
Snakes are particularly intriguing. The way they move, the way the eat, the way their metabolism is so brilliantly attuned to the particular environment they inhabit, their ancestry, the development of venoms so potent that that can kill in minutes, all of these things interest me and make me want to know more about them.
There is some part of you that has to overcome a natural fear in the first instance to want to own and keep a reptile. For some reason, I'm not sure if it's instinct, we fear snakes and many reptiles. Witness a small child when you show them a snake. They instantly recoil. It's only when you show them that they have nothing to fear that they can then 'pet' the snake and overcome their own fears (well, as long as it's not venomous).
Where I live, every snake is venomous. There is no such thing as a snake that is not dangerous. Copperheads, red-bellied black snakes, mainland tiger snakes and eastern brown snakes all inhabit my local area, so it's understandable that people fear them. We have no pythons or non-venomous snakes in my area. Just the other day one of the painters doing my house remarked to me that he nearly leapt out of his skin when he saw what looked to be a snake in the grass near where he was painting. It turns out it was a blue tongued lizard, but nonetheless, his fear was well grounded. Living in the area makes you wary of snakes.
I think this is somewhat unfortunate. Snakes are more scared of you. How big you must appear to a snake. Standing still when you see one will prevent an attack. They only attack when threatened. Slowly backing off is also a good thing to do.
So why keep them? I think it is a duality of fear and fascination. And the trouble is that once you have one, you want two, and then three etc. If you have them, you know the feeling.
Another aspect is the actual act of managing to keep an animal that is not naturally suited or normally kept as a pet in an artificial environment. Learning about its needs, how to maintain optimal health, how to breed it, how to 'tame' it and how to enjoy it for what it is. These are challenges that herp keeping offers that few other pets do.
Mark Chapple is the Author of "How to build enclosures for reptiles" Find out how to build snake and other reptile cages as well as arboreal cages. Full color pictures, detailed diagrams and easy to follow, step-by-step instructions.
http://www.reptile-cage-plans.com
Five years ago this August a funny little puppy came... Read More
Dog TrainingSo, we've got a new best friend that needs... Read More
Your mind-set, approach and way of thinking (beliefs) are critical... Read More
Uh-oh, it's that time again. The dreaded vet visit, and... Read More
An easier and more pleasant journey with your chosen Boxer... Read More
One of the benefits of registering your pet with a... Read More
... Read More
Many people are searching for different means to have pets.... Read More
Pet adoption is a fabulous option if you're seeking a... Read More
Having a cat allergy came as something of a surprise... Read More
Your dogs health is important to you. You show her... Read More
Buy or Adopt - That is the question.If you intend... Read More
My dear owner,Thank you once again for giving me shelter.... Read More
Good filtration is the prime priority in the discus tank.... Read More
Dogs are descendent of wolves. To study the psychology of... Read More
The term applehead Chihuahua refers to the shape of a... Read More
Selling a HorseThe best new tool for people selling horses... Read More
Whether you are searching for something to say "Happy Birthday"... Read More
'Help, my cat is pregnant and I don't know what... Read More
Attention breeders, livestock owners and pet lovers! *Pets looking for... Read More
Cute cat names? Max is popular, Lady a favorite for... Read More
Pets provide an unconditional love that requires very little on... Read More
Stingrays will eat a wide variety of foods. Maintaining a... Read More
As overwhelming as picking out a pet bird can be,... Read More
Among the most well known cat lover gifts are photo... Read More
When you take into account that there are over 68,000,000... Read More
Meow! Meow! Meow! I bury my head underneath my pillow.... Read More
HistoryThroughout the US and in many parts of the world,... Read More
Most pet owners have become very educated about their pet... Read More
Do you want a Westie as a pet? What are... Read More
Fleas have plagued dogs, cats, and their owners since time... Read More
You've made up your mind, it's the American Pit Bull... Read More
Eclampsia, or milk fever, is an acute, life-threatening condition which... Read More
Cryptorchidism is peculiar to male dogs and a condition present... Read More
Nobody likes ticks.In fact, when it comes to ticks I... Read More
Getting a new pet can be a lot of fun.... Read More
Uh-oh, it's that time again. The dreaded vet visit, and... Read More
Horse owners who are history buffs may recognize the name... Read More
Nervous cats hide from people, they do not readily present... Read More
A new puppy is a joyous addition to any home.... Read More
To the uninitiated horse owner, there are timely facts about... Read More
You can't imagine the kind of varieties of Goldfish there... Read More
What is Canine Bloat?Bloat refers to the bloating of the... Read More
Most people who have horses would like to develop a... Read More
Pomeranians have tiny mouths and itty bitty teeth, but not... Read More
It is hard to get an early diagnosis of lyme... Read More
I'm a pariah among the dog fanciers in my community.... Read More
Does your dog have that sheepish look? It could be... Read More
Buying dog doors onlineIf you need to buy a dog... Read More
Losing your cat is a worrying experience, use these 'How... Read More
Studies have shown that regularly petting a dog brings a... Read More
Did you know that your goldfish can live for over... Read More
One of the greatest thrills for a little boy or... Read More
So, you read somewhere that introducing a new kitten into... Read More
Once though of as a mere harmless but annoying pest,... Read More
Introducing your puppy to the crate should be an easy... Read More
Every day we are looking for ways to make our... Read More
Dog Shock CollarsDog shock collars are a touchy subject among... Read More
Just south of Snowdon, in the grey-stoned village of Beddgelert... Read More
Settling a puppy into a new home successful is often... Read More
The greatest fear of most pet owners is that there... Read More
Whether you're a new dog owner or have had dogs... Read More
What kind of materials should you use when constructing a... Read More
"Hamsters?!" I hear you say. "Who cares about some fury... Read More
In the last decade or so, the popularity of sugar... Read More
Dog owners, who recognize the early signs and symptoms of... Read More
Pet |