Couple in McBain love their 3 kids, 8 snakes
Kayla Kiley / Associated Press
McBAIN -- Dangling the head of a 5-foot-long snake in front of his mouth, Chris Gee said, "See? They're not dangerous."
He parts his lips and opens his mouth wide as the red-tail boa's head slithers inside -- a stunt Chris has performed many times.
"If you respect them, they'll respect you," he said, taking the rare snake named Storm out of his mouth, only to seal his lips around its body.
"There's no reason to be afraid -- I just got done holding a rat," he added, handing the roughly 20-pound snake to his wife, Christine. She tenderly handles it, saying that she wasn't always fond of snakes.
"I was terrified to the point where I would cry," Christine said. "But we got her (Storm), and things changed."
When the Gees got Storm about a year ago, the snake's and Christine's relationship began from opposite ends of the couch. Today, they're a lot closer. They even nap together.
"You can take the snakes out and cuddle," said Christine, noting that the Gees' relationship with their reptiles is comparable to most peoples' affection toward cats and dogs.
While a 5-foot snake is a lot to handle, the Gees' reptile fever doesn't end there. The McBain couple have eight snakes, three bearded dragons, one Nile monitor, four rats, a gerbil, some mice -- and three kids.
About 10 custom-built reptile cages line the walls of the home, giving a new spin to wall art. Desert scenes depict each snake's native land, bright light bulbs add a warm glow and the creatures are a moving, ever-changing picture.
Chris, who likes to handle the snakes for at least an hour daily, takes each snake out of its cage and hands them to his children.
"Who wants Montey?" Chris asked.
His oldest daughter, 14-year-old Abby, holds out her hands, saying, "He's my favorite!"
Abby gives Montey a kiss on his head, then wraps his body around her neck, while 10-year-old Vi takes her favorite snake, Destiny, as it wraps around her wrist -- both girls wearing their beady-eyed pets like jewelry and showing their affection through soft kisses.
The Gee family believes it's important to give all their animals much love and attention.
Just the kinda of press we don't need.