QUESTIONS FOR THE FEMALE SNAKE-OWNERS

[Sassinator1]

1. What type of snake(s) do you own?
Corn snake, King snakes, Ball pythons, Milk snakes, Boa constrictors and one wild caught rough green snake.

2. What sparked your interest in the particular snake(s) you own?
Corn snakes-it was all the beautiful colors there are of them. Kingsnakes and milk snakes-Their strong patterns and colors also I like their personalities. Ball pythons-I love their thick bodies and cute round eyes and their (most of the time) sweet temperments. Boa c.- Their eyes! Fantastic! I also like their thick bodies. Rough green snake-a beautiul green color and that fact that it is wild caught means a lot to me.

3. Do you have help with your snake(s)?
Not usually. My husband and 5 year old has helped change the waters a couple of times, but my hubby and I made an agreement-He takes care of our three ferrets and I take care of my 12 snakes.

4. How tall are you?
5' 3"

5. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your size/age?
Not age but definitely size. I don't want any snake that could potentially seriously harm or kill me and especially my young kids. Of course I promised my husband that I wouldn't get any boa constrictors but I couldn't help it they were so gorgeous!

6. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your security/safety factor?
Same as above.- I don't want any snake that could potentially seriously harm or kill me and especially my young kids.

7. What is your age group?
26-40


8. How many of you have had your love of the scaley ones ruin a relationship ?? Friend? Lover?? IN LAW??
No but it sometimes causes strain with my husband who admits to being jealous of them. I try and spend most of my time with the snakes when hemy hubby is at work. When he comes home from work I try and leave the snakes alone and spend more time with him.

9. Do you have an "if I die" list, of who gets, or what to do with the "collection" once you pass?
No, but that is a good idea. The only one in my family who loves them even remotely close as I do is my 5 year old daughter. She adores them.

10. Why do you keep the species you work with? What are your goals with them?
They are all gorgeous and fascinating to me. I am a bit obsessed with them. I would like to breed some of them and with that make my hobby self-sustainable (selling the babies to afford the nice cages, food and future snakes). I have not bred yet but I am hoping to start next year.

12. How do your friends view your hobby / deal with your obsession?
They always ask if I have bought a new snake, cause I am always buying some and/or trading some. I think they find it amusing.

 

[Will0W783]

I already answered the questions, but I have to add that I am bringing more of my friends around to the snakes. I have also made a few new friends because of them. I get asked a lot of questions and a lot of coworkers think I am insane but they always want to see pictures and are curious about meeting the scaly ones some time. It's really great when our passion for our snakes can bring other people around to seeing the beauty in these really unique creatures.

 

[crissabella]

1. What type of snake(s) do you own?
Brazilian Rainbow Boa, Ball Python, Gray-Banded Kingsnake, Paradox Albino Sand Boa, and 4 of the Paradox Albino's offspring, which are Kenyan "Flames"

2. What sparked your interest in the particular snake(s) you own?
I've always loved Ball Pythons, The Brazilian, i wanted a Boa that didn't get too large and his coloring is just spectacular. The Kingsnake and the Paradox Albino were given to me by family friends, and the Sand Boa was gravid when i got her.

3. Do you have help with your snake(s)?
No, i take care of them all by myself!

4. How tall are you?
5'8"

5. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your size/age?
Age had nothing to do with it, but size did. Since i was going to be taking care of them myself, i did not want a large snake that could possibly harm me.

6. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your security/safety factor?
Same as above

7. What is your age group?
26-40


8. How many of you have had your love of the scaley ones ruin a relationship ?? Friend? Lover?? IN LAW??
I haven't had that happen, yet

9. Do you have an "if I die" list, of who gets, or what to do with the "collection" once you pass?
No, but that is a great idea!

10. Why do you keep the species you work with? What are your goals with them?
All of my snakes are wonderful, fascinating animals that i just love having as pets. I do hope to breed one of my male Flames back to his mother to see if i'll get more Paradoxes.

12. How do your friends view your hobby / deal with your obsession?
They are fascinated that i keep them and they always ask me how they are doing. They also call me "The Snake Charmer" as a nickname!

 

[bad-one]

1. What type of snake(s) do you own?
Ball pythons

2. What sparked your interest in the particular snake(s) you own?
I used to have a corn, and one day I saw a baby ball python and I just loved it. I like the thicker bodied snakes the most. I also love the various colors/patterns ball pythons have!

3. Do you have help with your snake(s)?
Nope, I do everything by myself.

4. How tall are you?
5' 9 3/4" being tall is awesome

5. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your size/age?
No

6. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your security/safety factor?
No

7. What is your age group?
I'm 18


8. How many of you have had your love of the scaley ones ruin a relationship ?? Friend? Lover?? IN LAW??
So far no issues

9. Do you have an "if I die" list, of who gets, or what to do with the "collection" once you pass ?
Not yet, but that has been on my mind. I think right now if I passed my parents would give my animals to the local herp shop or sell them locally.

10. Why do you keep the species you work with? What are your goals with them?
I enjoy ball pythons and I would love to breed for my favorite color morphs

11. How do you break the news to future b/fs?
Snakes are generally one of the first things I talk about with someone so... yeah. People know right off the bat lol


12. How do your friends view your hobby / deal with your obsession?
They are cool with it, but I think they find it a little wierd.


If you feel so inclined, add questions of your own that you'd like answers to, from your fellow female snake-lovers!

13. How long/from what age have you kept snakes?
I had my corn when I was either 8 or 9 and I've always had a snake since then. So I've had snakes for 9-10 years already


I think the reason I like snakes/reptiles in general stems from my love of dinosaurs as a kid. I've been lucky enough to have open minded parents when it came to pets

 

[SakaraGT4]

1. What type of snake(s) do you own?
boas, retics, a burm, a ball python

2. What sparked your interest in the particular snake(s) you own?
I have always loved snakes, and when i was finally able to get one I got a boa... It went from there, lol... I got a burm and started from there with the big ones... Retics are smart and beautiful which drew me to them

3. Do you have help with your snake(s)?
(This is NOT a married/single question! Some of us have snakes & husbands/boyfriends that want nothing to do with them!)
yes, the hubby helps, other then snake poo, LOL

4. How tall are you?
6ft even

5. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your size/age?
nope... I own what I enjoy and what I can take care of... And of course with help when it comes to the giants!

6. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your security/safety factor?
nope... I have help with the giants/to be giants

7. What is your age group?
15-25 - 24!
26-40
41-50
Older than that, but none of your business!
None of you're business, no matter how old I am!

 

[SakaraGT4]

didn't see the rest of the questions!!


8. How many of you have had your love of the scaley ones ruin a relationship ?? Friend? Lover?? IN LAW??
nope! Ryan was fine with me getting them

9. Do you have an "if I die" list, of who gets, or what to do with the "collection" once you pass ?
no, but I should make one!

10. Why do you keep the species you work with? What are your goals with them?
I love boas which is why I have mostly boas, lol... There are some morphs I want to create as well as producing beautiful snakes at good prices... same with the retics

11. How do you break the news to future b/fs?
I'm married he knows, LOL


12. How do your friends view your hobby / deal with your obsession?
most are cool... some are a little weirded out

13. How long/from what age have you kept snakes?
a couple years but I have been working with reptiles since I was a pre-teen

 

[queen_of_pain666]

1. What type of snake(s) do you own?
Right now just Ball Pythons and baby anaconda and i've had a blood and a red-tailed boa

2. What sparked your interest in the particular snake(s) you own?
I've had a ball python for five years and I finally am allowed to breed them and I like the anaconda because I love large species and I'm starting a zoo.

3. Do you have help with your snake(s)?
(This is NOT a married/single question! Some of us have snakes & husbands/boyfriends that want nothing to do with them!)
Never! lol. My rents don't have anything to do with the snakes/reptiles/invertebrates

4. How tall are you?
5'9.5" ??

5. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your size/age?
Well! I'm young, so there's nothing holding me back from the big snakes, and I doubt that anything ever will...

6. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your security/safety factor?
Nope, I've been with tons of snakes, but I do like to hold them, so I get laid-back species (besides the anaconda). I do want to get some venomous snakes soon, but I will use all the safety precautions.

7. What is your age group?
15-25
26-40
41-50
Older than that, but none of your business!
None of you're business, no matter how old I am!

 

[mudfreckles]

1. What type of snake(s) do you own?
Ball Pythons

2. What sparked your interest in the particular snake(s) you own?
We breed bearded dragons and crested geckos. I wanted to get into snakes and i was told ball pythons make the best pets.

3. Do you have help with your snake(s)?
Yes my boyfriend loves them as well but i fund most of the projects.

4. How tall are you?
5"11'

5. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your size/age?
no

6. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your security/safety factor?
I do take pride in showing people my animals and it is great that you can pass around a ball python without worry. There are other lines in the future I would like to get into.

7. What is your age group?
I'm 23



__________________

 

[mudfreckles]

oops! hehe heres the rest

8. How many of you have had your love of the scaley ones ruin a relationship ?? Friend? Lover?? IN LAW??
none, but people definitely think I'm crazy spending the amount of m oney i do on ball python morphs. But most people fall in love and get hooked to with a little coaxing that they're not aggressive or scary. I do feel kinda crazy myself when it comes to people asking what the price tag was. I guess people blow that amount on designer stuff so it isn't that much more different.

9. Do you have an "if I die" list, of who gets, or what to do with the "collection" once you pass ?
no, I'm young and try to live for today. Will ball pythons you don't really have to worry that much though. if people are going to pay that price they will be taken care of.

10. Why do you keep the species you work with? What are your goals with them?
I'd like to breed and make some beautiful healthy clutches. But I'm not pushing any of my females. When they hit the right weight we'll see what happens. =)

11. How do you break the news to future b/fs?
They'd just have to deal with my zoo of crested geckos, beardies, ball pythons, horse, and whatever else I purchase along the way lol.

12. How do your friends view your hobby / deal with your obsession?
they think their beautiful but think im crazy for paying what i do for them.

13. How long/from what age have you kept snakes?
not even a year. we're new into snakes.

 

[Elizabeth Minton]

1. i own ball pythons:normals,pastels.het caramel, and others on hold
2. i have loved snakes since i was younge. when i turned 18 i bought my first normal female ball and fell in love with ball pythons
3. i do not have any help caring for my snakes
4. i am 5.0
5. no i just have a love for my choice of snake
6. no my choice of snake would be the same no matter my security or safty
7. 15-25
8. i can never get enough of ball pythons.... i want them all

 

[silverherps]

1. What type of snake(s) do you own? Corns.

2. What sparked your interest in the particular snake(s) you own? I just thought they were beautiful little snakes.

3. Do you have help with your snake(s)?
(This is NOT a married/single question! Some of us have snakes & husbands/boyfriends that want nothing to do with them!) A bit from my husband, but our reptiles are mainly cared for by me.

4. How tall are you? Close to 5'4

5. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your size/age? Nope.

6. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your security/safety factor? Nope.

7. What is your age group?
15-25

 

[silverherps]

Didn't see the rest of the questions!

8. How many of you have had your love of the scaley ones ruin a relationship ?? Friend? Lover?? IN LAW?? For the most part my family and friends are very understanding.

9. Do you have an "if I die" list, of who gets, or what to do with the "collection" once you pass?
My husband will take them if I pass.

10. Why do you keep the species you work with? What are your goals with them?
They're just really lovely snakes and I love how full of energy these guys are! I don't have any breeding goals for the corns yet.

12. How do your friends view your hobby / deal with your obsession?
Some are interested by them, others not so much.

 

[ggs209]

1. What type of snake(s) do you own?
Columbian Boa, Kenyan Sand Boa, Brazilian Rainbow boa

2. What sparked your interest in the particular snake(s) you own?
I am Allergic to all things with fur. And there personality is better than most humans. lol

3. Do you have help with your snake(s)?
(This is NOT a married/single question! Some of us have snakes & husbands/boyfriends that want nothing to do with them!)

4. How tall are you? 6 foot 3 inches flat footed

5. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your size/age?
I do not think so.

6. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your security/safety factor?
Oh lord no I have both a security system in my house and a 6 foot 9 inch 300 lbs husband so I think it is more for my amusement

7. What is your age group?
15-25
26-40 I pick this one
41-50

Do I have an If I die list?

I have it stated in my will on who will get what animal.

I do not have a friend or family member that is scared to come in my house.... a couple of my co workers are not going to join me for dinner. But it has not stopped my family or friends

 

[Dawn Zimmerman]

1. What type of snake(s) do you own?
1.0 Cave Dwelling Ratsnake (asian beauty snake)

2. What sparked your interest in the particular snake(s) you own?
They are gorgeous: great colors and patterns, slim bodies, and long.

3. Do you have help with your snake(s)?
Not really. My husband will take me to get stuff for him or to the vet, etc. I can't drive these days due to dizziness. He has no interest in even touching my snake, but he does check up on him and watch him.

4. How tall are you?
5' 6.5"

5. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your size/age?
Not size or age. I did want a lightweight snake as I have health crap that I deal with that just works better with a lighter snake.

6. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your security/safety factor?
Sorta. I started looking at snakes that were easier to handle and not heavy so that they would not endanger the cat, future kids or us. Once I saw the Asian beauty snakes I fell in love and that was it.

7. What is your age group?
I'm 36

8. How many of you have had your love of the scaley ones ruin a relationship ?? Friend? Lover?? IN LAW??
Each time I had brought up getting a snake over the past 5 or so years my husband had a reason why I shouldn't. This last time when he realized I had made up my mind and that was it at first he was seriously pissed, but after a lot of talking, my sharing a lot of interesting and fun info about the snakes I was considering and just time he came around for the most part. Not sure if my in laws know yet...

9. Do you have an "if I die" list, of who gets, or what to do with the "collection" once you pass ?
No, good idea.

10. Why do you keep the species you work with? What are your goals with them?
Asian beauty snakes are beautiful, curious snakes with personality!

11. How do you break the news to future b/fs?
I'm married.


12. How do your friends view your hobby / deal with your obsession?
They kinda freaked when I told them I was getting a snake, but now that they've met him they are pretty relaxed. 2 of my best friends won't hold him, but they will be in the same room on furniture (bed) while he tools around my room and they are cool with their kids being on the floor with him and one friend lets her oldest hold him. One of my best friends adores him! Even my mom commented on what beautiful markings he has and she doesn't like snakes.


13. How long/from what age have you kept snakes?
I just got Riley almost 6 weeks ago. I had lizards many many years ago, but this is my first snake!

***Riley has made a great impression on the ladies who attend my summer bible study and folks at my small church. The ladies at the study all look at him and some have questions. They have even prayed for Riley when he was being shipped and now that he is sick. Two of the ladies had thought they would never pray for a snake. lol Some of the elderly ladies at church have asked me how he's doing. I may be showing him at the kid's second hour on Sunday when Riley is feeling better as I have a bible lesson prepared that uses the snake as an object lesson. Thought you all might find it interesting how my slinky scaley dude is an ambassador for snakes and reptiles everywhere.

 

[Dawn Zimmerman]

I meant a Sunday some time in the future when Riley is all better and settled in.

 

[Ectothermicfauna]

1. What type of snake(s) do you own?

2. What sparked your interest in the particular snake(s) you own?

3. Do you have help with your snake(s)?
(This is NOT a married/single question! Some of us have snakes & husbands/boyfriends that want nothing to do with them!)

4. How tall are you?

5. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your size/age?

6. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your security/safety factor?

7. What is your age group?
15-25
26-40
41-50
Older than that, but none of your business!
None of you're business, no matter how old I am!

If you feel so inclined, add questions of your own that you'd like answers to, from your fellow female snake-lovers!

My name is April. I live in Kenai, Alaska and I have a beautiful daughter Raven. I run a reptile halfway house, and exhibit, as well as own a large personal collection. I founded the only herp society in the state that im aware of. I worked as a snakekeeper for the reptile zoo in Monroe Washington, and halfway housed reptiles including hots there as well. As for as my age is concerned, A gentlemen never asks a lady never tells.

Heres a run down on what is in my/our personal collection, as of today more is always on the way, and these are just the snakes we have lots of lizards (i love monitors), arachnids etc:

female Green anaconda
female african rock python
1.1 reticulated python, female is normal, male is a (selayer) tiger
1.1 super dwarf retics (normal)
1.1 burmese python, female normal male albino
1.1 columbian boa female pastel, male normal
0.2 bredli carpet python
0.1 jungle carpet
0.1 coastal carpet
1.4 ball pythons
0.1 Blood python
1.2.4 House snake (dotted and purple phase brown)
1.1 Eastern blue garter
0.1 cal king (banded hwy locale)
0.1 corn snake

Im sure im missin some but thats off the top of my head by the end of the week we will have another burm, a savu python, and an amazon tree boa too. Looking to get a pair yellow annies, woma python, a purple albino retic (male) and a whole lot more colubrids. but its always changing up around here.

What sparked your interest in the particular snake(s) you own?

They're all beautiful amazing and dare I say graceful? creatures. Snakes are evolutions perfect predators, and I'd say ive always had a deep respect for all snakes.

Do you have help with your snake(s)?

Obviously with the large constrictors yes. I dont have the muscle to haul them by myself and frankly you'd be an idiot not to have someone else at least around to help. my smaller snakes I take care of by myself though.

How tall are you?

Im 5 foot 6" 130lbs. And I can lift a 12 foot burm onto my shoulders. very difficult.

Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your size/age?

Absolutely not. I know how to respect my larger snakes and I do not fear them but I do have a healthy respect. I think worrying about the size of the person is a bit silly if you know what you are doing and have enough keepers around to help.

Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your security/safety factor?

well no. we have the largest species in the world, so I cant say that at all. I know how to secure tanks, feed appropriately, read snake body language, and Ive taken a few bites and learned from them, so im comfortable that Ive figured out how not to get bit. Experience, research, a lot of money, and common sense is all you really need. thats all lol.

I guess what id like to ask is, for all you snake-keeping mothers- has becoming a mother affected your snakekeeping, and does your snakekeeping effect your motherhood? I think they do actually effect each other in interesting ways.

 

[pouchedrat]

1. What type of snake(s) do you own?

male/female pair of southern ring neck snakes
3 female egg-eater snakes (D. medici medici)

2. What sparked your interest in the particular snake(s) you own?

They don't eat rodents, since I've been keeping pet rats for 16 years, and have LOVED snakes all my life, but the commonly kept snakes in the hobby are primarily rodent eaters (corns, balls, etc). I'm considering getting into garter snakes, and I hope to get some blind snakes and shovelnose snakes as well.

3. Do you have help with your snake(s)?
(This is NOT a married/single question! Some of us have snakes & husbands/boyfriends that want nothing to do with them!)

No, my man is terrified of all snakes! He's actually scared stiff of them, it's a deep fear since his childhood! However, he's good enough to let me keep the snakes in the bedroom, NEXT TO THE BED! He's ok with the egg-eaters, they don't frighten him at all. The ring necks, however, are wirey and fast enough to make him jump and cringe. My son is 4 years old, but he will help get quail eggs out of the fridge for me every so often.

4. How tall are you?

5'5

5. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your size/age?

No

6. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your security/safety factor?

Somewhat, I have a small 4 year old, as well as am pregnant. It's more of a "don't want frozen rodents" issue. I do also have over 40 tarantulas including some old worlds, so honestly they would probably cause more harm to a child if unleashed than a snake. I'd LOVE a green tree python someday, but I just don't think it'll ever happen.

7. What is your age group?

26-40 -smack in the middle of here.

 

[pouchedrat]

Didn't see the rest of the questions...

8. How many of you have had your love of the scaley ones ruin a relationship ?? Friend? Lover?? IN LAW??

He's understanding. Plus whenever I spend money on something like a new tarantula or snake, he gets to spend money on a new game (and I get to play his game, lol). However, my parents think the snakes are going to get out and kill my kid. Which is funny, since the egg-eaters have no teeth and are only 2 feet long, and the ring necks are about 10 inches long!

9. Do you have an "if I die" list, of who gets, or what to do with the "collection" once you pass ?

I wish I did, i also have a lot of bizarre exotic mammals and I can't think of a single person I would trust with their care.

10. Why do you keep the species you work with? What are your goals with them?

I hope someday more captive bred egg-eaters are found in the hobby. They're so much easier for those of us who love our furry friends, but also love the scalies

11. How do you break the news to future b/fs?

no need for that.

12. How do your friends view your hobby / deal with your obsession?

They don't talk about it....

13. How long/from what age have you kept snakes?

I had a couple snakes growing up, but nothing major, just a rough green snake and a northern red bellied. I got back into snakes recently when I saw an ad for an egg-eater on kingsnake.com... I figured hey, I already jumped into tarantulas, why not snakes as well??

 

[radiotrash]

1. What type of snake(s) do you own?
A caramel motley corn snake and a pinstripe ball python.

2. What sparked your interest in the particular snake(s) you own?
I visited a friend and got to meet her snakes. The rest is history.

3. Do you have help with your snake(s)?
Nope, I'm single. My friends watch my snakes if I got out of town but so far I've only been out for a four days each time so they don't do much but much sure they're ok.

4. How tall are you?
6'7"

5. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your size/age?
Not really. I just thought they were interesting, especially after my friend talked to me about hers all the time.

6. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your security/safety factor?
Nope.

7. What is your age group?
I'm 25.

8. How many of you have had your love of the scaley ones ruin a relationship ?? Friend? Lover?? IN LAW??
Nope. My ex didn't want me to get one but when I did he was actually interested in it a bit.

9. Do you have an "if I die" list, of who gets, or what to do with the "collection" once you pass ?
No, but I think my snake friend and I have an unspoken understanding that she would.

10. Why do you keep the species you work with? What are your goals with them?
I got a cornsnake at first because I know they were considered more of a beginner snake and that they wouldn't grow too big. I got a ball after seeing my friends and how delightfully fatty they are.

11. How do you break the news to future b/fs?
They're just another pet to me, like a dog or a cat. I'll break the news by bringing them over to my apartment and they can just see the snakes for themselves.

12. How do your friends view your hobby / deal with your obsession?
I think they think I'm weird but whatever. They always want to know what you "do" with a snake.

13. How long/from what age have you kept snakes?
I've only been a snake owner for about a year.

 

[AK907]

I'm using my husbands account...

1. What type of snake(s) do you own?
1 ball python, 1 amel corn snake, 1 nigerian uromastyx, 6 rats

2. What sparked your interest in the particular snake(s) you own?
My husband has an addiction, so it rubbed off on me...

3. Do you have help with your snake(s)?
Refer to above...

4. How tall are you?
5' 3"

5. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your size/age?
Bigger ones just scare me. 12 feet and under is fine.

6. Does your choice of snake have anything to do with your security/safety factor?
Yeah, kinda...

What is your age group?
18