Shunned at the Show

[GarterGeek]

I have also felt garter-snobbery. It is really sad that people can't appreciate these terrific little creatures. Sure, other snakes may be more glamorous but they're not as friendly, cute or curious.
I totally agree that many snake owners do it for the sake of their image rather than the actual snake.

I, actually, gave a speech on garter snakes in highschool once. I even brought my snakes in. I receive and A+ and the class loved it .
It felt great to educate people on something that matters to me and to see the class so enthusiastic about learning for once.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Well, I did get some garter snubbery at the past hamburg show, but it wasn't as bad as it can be at times. I had one guy telling me all about this ONE albino checkered garter he was selling with it's "setup" like he was an expert. I mentioned that I specialize highly in garter snakes and he immediately became offended when I said I was not interested at all in this snake. he's like... So you don't want her? I said no, because she's not in top shape and I am not interested in the incredibly inbred albino checkereds. I said what are you feeding her? He said three fuzzies once a week. I said, she's too thin and small for a year old, you need to start feeding her small meals once every 3 or 4 days. "no no, that will give her heart problems". "that's why I said SMALL meals, sir".

Oh, and her "setup" that was included with her, was a dirty medium sized plastic critter keeper, with really nasty looking mulch, and a water dish that would fit in the palm of my hand. Poor girl, she was half the thickness that she should have been at her length. I was not surprised to see that she was still there halfway through the show.

I walked away really annoyed as he was telling me how she would make a great starter pet for some kid. Hopefully that kid is taking better care of her!!!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Unfortunately there are a lot of people that are in this hobby for what I will call the "sex appeal" factor. They are just trying to look good, or macho, or whatever the reason be, with little interest in the actual behavior and natural tendencies of the animal.

I will agree with this statement entirely. Unfortunately, when I tell people I am into snakes, they look at me, and I am pretty sure this is what they assume. until they see my snakeroom and learn about the snakes I keep. It does truly take a certain kind of person to love and keep garter snakes, one that is truly in it for the observation and interaction with the snakes. Sadly, many of the girls I see that want to get into snakes, or even many that have snakes, have them for the accessory factor. Many guys just want to look tough. If you have a pet python, lord you must be tough. Don't come near me mister tough guy, you have a ball python! You are wayy out of my league.

Now, I am not saying that I don't ever take photos with my snakes, or anything like that, because obviously I do, but it is merely a by-product of my love and pure passion for them and everything about them. I would rather a picture of me be with a snake, than without one. I am not just another bimbo posing with a burmese python (actually i have been offered photo shoots with large pythons and turned them down) I pour my heart and soul into my snakes, and even people that don't know me personally can still see it in the fact that I am always decked out in snake jewelry which is basically the only jewelry I will wear, often wearing shirts from reptile shows or with snake slogans, and carry a purse with two photos of my own garter snakes on it. The car I am working on buying will have a custom plate titled "SNKEBABE" and I will have every snake slogan on the back of that thing you can think of. I proudly express my love for the world's most hated creatures and am not afraid to stand up to the criticizing questions and remarks I get!

[Quibble]

You're all my heros.

I couldn't agree more.

[k2l3d4]

I have also felt garter-snobbery. It is really sad that people can't appreciate these terrific little creatures. Sure, other snakes may be more glamorous but they're not as friendly, cute or curious.
I totally agree that many snake owners do it for the sake of their image rather than the actual snake.

I, actually, gave a speech on garter snakes in highschool once. I even brought my snakes in. I receive and A+ and the class loved it .
It felt great to educate people on something that matters to me and to see the class so enthusiastic about learning for once.

I did something similar to this.. my albino checkered is very docile.. so I took him in.. .of course in my sweatshirt sleeve, so he could have my warmth and be close to me.. .to my son's preschool and had a small presentation with him.. I was so cool, because these three, four, and five year old children have not been brain washed yet to be afraid of snakes... even the shyest kid there that had not spoken to me yet was practically in my lap wanting to see Little Dude.... I loved the animaiton in the kids's eyes when they saw this real live snake in their class.... unfortunately, now one of the kid's mothers will not even say hi to me and had to have the teacher confirm that I had shown her son a live snake......

[GarterGeek]

I did something similar to this.. my albino checkered is very docile.. so I took him in.. .of course in my sweatshirt sleeve, so he could have my warmth and be close to me.. .to my son's preschool and had a small presentation with him.. I was so cool, because these three, four, and five year old children have not been brain washed yet to be afraid of snakes... even the shyest kid there that had not spoken to me yet was practically in my lap wanting to see Little Dude.... I loved the animaiton in the kids's eyes when they saw this real live snake in their class.... unfortunately, now one of the kid's mothers will not even say hi to me and had to have the teacher confirm that I had shown her son a live snake......

That's terrific! Hopefully, you've made a strong impression that will last for a long time.

Adults are always so much more biased than children - I was talking to this man a while ago who said: " I'd rather fight a tiger than meet a one-foot snake". No kidding - Those were his exact words. (He also thought that they were slimy)
Where do people get these ideas!? How is it that they can be so full of fear of something that's harmless? What are people afraid of? Seriously, what do they think is going to happen? - It'll mistake you for a worm?

[k2l3d4]

That's terrific! Hopefully, you've made a strong impression that will last for a long time.

Adults are always so much more biased than children - I was talking to this man a while ago who said: " I'd rather fight a tiger than meet a one-foot snake". No kidding - Those were his exact words. (He also thought that they were slimy)
Where do people get these ideas!? How is it that they can be so full of fear of something that's harmless? What are people afraid of? Seriously, what do they think is going to happen? - It'll mistake you for a worm?

I think that I did..... One of the teachers really had to leave the room when I presented Little Dude from my sweatshirt.... (she thought I was crazy for not have him in a locked cage).... The other teachers did a pretty good job of not showing their discomfort. The children loved it!!!! and of course my son got to have the pride of mom bringing in "his" (my) snake into class.

Kady

[guidofatherof5]

I take my radixes into my classrooms once a semester.
One of my teachers can't even handle hearing the word "Snake". She won't allow a snake in her room. She has one of her students check the hallway before she'll even go out, if it's my snake day. I've even avoided that wing of the building to keep her from vapor locking.

[k2l3d4]

I take my radixes into my classrooms once a semester.
One of my teachers can't even handle hearing the word "Snake". She won't allow a snake in her room. She has one of her students check the hallway before she'll even go out, if it's my snake day. I've even avoided that wing of the building to keep her from vapor locking.

Lol... That is too funny. That is so awesome that you have something worked our so you can take them in once a month.. you should have seem the hassle I had to go through to get my son's preschool to let me take Little Dude (my albino checkered) into the school. I hope to do it at least one more time before he moves on to kindergarten though.

[slipknot711]

i know we r talking about garters at reptile shows in general, and i know vendors can get busy and sometimes cant go into better detail of the care (if at all on purpose or not). IF i were a vendor id hand out basic care sheets, yes these ppl should do there own research before buying but impulse at the shows are crazy haha i know first hand. i just think half of animals that would otherwise not have the proper set up could benefit from care sheets. just a thought, i started to ramble sorry lol