I have always wondered why people hate snakes. Is it the fact that they are legless, sterotypes, or do they think they aren't as cute as a bunny? I have loved snakes since I was born on this planet, and I will love them all the same when I die. I would tell people about snakes and they would look at me like I was crazy for even considering liking snakes. I'm just sick of this hate. SICK of it. And people need to grow up. Just because it isn't cute, doesn't mean it is some mindless killing machine that will kill any person it sees. I also HATE rattle snake round ups. They rip rattle snakes from areas that aren't populated, store them in air conditioned buildings, and then slaughter them in front of hunderds of people out of fear and for amusment. We need to outlaw rattlesnake round ups! I am ashamed I live in Tx because of rattlesnake round ups. Sorry for pouring this on you but it is either here or I walk outside and yell it at my neighbors.
It's just mostly fear from what I usually can tell. Most people have always heard stories about snakes biting and killing people, which is very uncommon. Sure, in the jungle or foreign countries-but most kinds of snakes in the world are harmless. They make people squeamish for some reason-because they are "slimy and slithery" as people say. I agree, people do need to grow up and realize snakes are good animals! And th's absolutely horrible what they do there with the rattlesnakes! I've never heard of that and you should try to bring it to the attention of the law-maybe make a petition or something, since that is definitely animal abuse! Or is there already a law that people don't follow? That's why it's always great when there are educational things-like for kids-where they bring in reptiles and tell them about them and let them hold them. It always makes people realize better that they're good animals and won't harm you unless threatened, like any animal.
I know when I was growing up and still going to church and what not, most of the people that I knew that hated snakes pulled that whole "Satan was a snakes, so all snakes are evil" bull crap.
It is outlawed in some states but not in Tx, not sure what other states allow it. Rattlesnake round ups are a load of bull shit (pardon my language but I'm just really worked up over this). They tell people they get them from neighborhoods but really, its 50 miles from any city. At least they have the effeciency to make the snakes into "products" such as snakes skin boots and all that. I have been to a rattle snake round up to see exactly what they do and I found the worst part is when they tie the snake upside down, still very much alive and skin it still alive (some times alive some times not) and people were video taping and showing kids this. I mean it people of America, your more ignorant than a three year old. I would bring this to the state's attention, but face it, I'm no lawyer. I'm too broke to hire one as well. And if you knew how many people sue rattlesnakeround up's, only about 1/10 of them win the case because of this snake hate probably. I mean we are so worked up when we see people killing puppies, but we decide to show five year olds it when it's a snake. This is seriously bringing me to tears, you will probably not encounter anything more sad than watching snakes be killed like that. I think the biggest one is over in Sweetwater (was going to say Sugarland but I know it is farther from us than that). And I asked some people I know who hate snakes and only one gave me a good answer. Most were: "they creep me out" or "they arent god's creatures" or my personal favorite "they are slimy and dangerous". The only good answer (I know this was true because there was a funeral) was: "My brother got bit by a cottonmouth and died". Snakes aren't that dangerous really. I wrote about every species in Tx and found out only about 6 could kill you (I'm planning on getting a degree in herpetology is why I wrote about them). And plus their venom could be used to help cure Alheimerz (not sure if i spelt it right) which is a disease my aunt has. I mean they do more good than harm and they aren't even intimidating nor slimy. When I was maybe 3, I ran straight up to a ball python and played with it as much as I could and even slept with it once (supervised of course). It was my old babysitter's and my mom nearly had a heart attack when she saw me with King (that was his name). So please don't tell me a 3 year old was braver than the people of America.
You're so right! And that's even more horrible and disgusting now that you went into detail of it! People have no right doing that! How would they like it if we skinned any other animal alive? It's the same thing! People are always too ignorant, especially in America the most I'd say. We basically have everything handed to us on a silver platter! We're very lucky to even have pets, entertainment, and freedom! Even us considered "poor" here have much more than people in other countries. I could be considered that, since I need insurance from the state and the family needs food stamps(which we're very lucky to get). I'd like to see the people here have to live one day in another country. Let's get back to snakes now too lol-younger kids are usually more brave it seems, since they don't think everything is "scary" like people perceive it. Does you're mom not like them? Or have you gotten her to realize they're not that bad. I have better(more realistic I guess)views on this, since I luckily grew up with parents that want me to be involved with nature. I hate it when I see parents saying to kids that are interested in something in the wild to leave it alone because it's "dangerous". And people are really wrong when they say they "Aren't God's creatures". They're as much of an animal as any other! Actually, it seems humans are the most destructive and dangerous creature out there! People do need to grow up now! I could see how if someone died or got hurt by one, that would really scare you-but, if someone died from-I don't know-a car crash, would you be scared to ride in a car for the rest of you're life? Freak accidents can always happen and are very unlikely, but it's a risk of life to get hurt or anything always. That's real cool that you're going into Herptology! I'm trying to think of what I should focus on to study and that could be a good option for me too-I used to want to be a vet, but now I know everything involved with that(operations and all). Though, I might want to go into forensics or something.....well, it is true their venom can be used for good things too-like helping with alzheimer's like you said. People need to see the good most often outweighs the bad.
Exactly my point, except I would like to add something. We don't want a rerun of the Black Plague or what happened in Australia with all those mice populations, right? Mice have been known to carry diseases and paresites, so I dont think you would want an overpopulation of wild rats near your family, especially the aggressive ones. Now, I don't know about you, but I'm grateful to have so many species of snakes in Texas so I dont have to worry about rats, more on our finacial issues. And snakes are wonderful pets (I have never had a snake myself but I use to help my friend breed her Burmese Pythons. And yes, she is a very expierinced snake keeper and responsible with her pets). Not only can you hold them and learn from them and love them, but they will give love back. It may not be with a tail wag, or face licks, or purrs, but they will love you. And Clair (the burmese breeder) has only been bit five times and she has had these snakes since the beginning of time, so very rarely will you be bit unless you agitate it some how. And there is only one disease I know can be serious that snakes can give you, and that's if your a child. You normally can only get salmonella (not sure if I spelled it right, sorry I never was good with grammer) if you come in direct contact with the feces of an infected snake, then touch your face before you wash your hands. I don't know who would touch snake crap then touch their face right after, but it could happen if your drunk, probably??? And stop going to ratllesnake round ups people! If they have no customers, they will stop with the round ups. It was so sad, Clair showed me a video she took the other day of them skinning a baby rattler, probably only a few inches in length . I understand of controlling rattlesnake populations, but in the manner they do it in is abuse. And they are starting to become endangered because of this. They target one species, and then basicly murder it in a way that would be first degree murder if they were people. And they made it "a place for the whole family". They have carnival rides, games, "fun" food (thats what I call the junk food my family eats), and entertanment by killing snakes. Oh, and low prices, $5 for adult and $3.50 for children. And their rules state: "any live snake will be accepted. Only western diamond backs. Will not accept captive bred. Will not accept sick or injured rattlesnakes. MUST have a permit to hunt rattlesnakes". Well, if they have a permit it makes it OK (n). I don't care what they call a Rattlesnake Round up, I call it living hell on Earth.
You're so right again! I can't believe they try to make it like a festivle also?!?! Wow, some people sre sick-and then if it's "family friendly", what are you teaching the kids? I know what you mean from salmonella and you can still get it as an adult, just not as likely. But, the main places you get it from is raw meat and chickens a lot-pretty much any animal you can get it from! So, I don't get why that's a big deal either. You're also very right on bringing up how they control the rodent population! I hadn't thought of that and honestly-they can be more disgusting then snakes a lot! They can definitely carry more disease and are more likely to bite even-they infest places too. I'm not saying rodesnt are bad, but it's good there's snakes to limit them and if people try to get rid of them, then what will happen?
I know, people can be sick for the thought of money and tourist . I want to do something about it so badly but I don't know what to do. And my personality isnt the one to do something, I'm more of a shy away and let some one else do it for me. I know, not all see it my way. But open your eyes to what your doing! Imagine your children being up there instead of that snake, wouldn't you try to do something? (Sorry I brought up children but for a lot of people that's what it takes). And I'm not saying anything bad about rodents, I love rodents. I love any animal. It's just rats and mice are prone to diseases. They do bite people and live stock. They can kill your live stock, kill your crops, and if you get bit, maybe you. I have had rats in my house once and it was only a few rats, not a large colony. And with maybe five rats present in my home, I know I don't want thousands destroying my property. I wish they did something to educate kids that rattlesnake roundups are wrong. But a kid believes what his parents tell him, and if his mother tells him snakes are good for nothing demons, guess what he is going to tell his kids. Then his kids are going to tell their kids, and then it keeps on going until an appocolypse or something. I wish they had programs for snakes. Most of the time its the more popular animals. Guess what? We don't need any more programs for birds, sea life, rainforest, none of that. We have too much of that. Save the panda! Save the dolphins! Save the blue whale! Save the big cats! When do you ever hear Save the snakes! or Save the crocodiles! or Save the Komodo Dragon! Never. Reptiles are ectotherms, not cold blooded. We are endotherms, not warm blooded. You know there is some symbolism in warm and cold blooded that I just don't agree with. When people say "cold-blooded killer" who do you think they refer to?
Wow! Great points! I meant to mention in my last post how even though they make them have a permit to hunt snakes, it's still wrong! They could say-"oh, I'm licensed to hunt them,so it's okay."-but, it's not! It's even more wrong that they allow permits for that! And of course it always comes down to another tourist attraction to make more money! And I know what you mean with bringing up children, since that IS what it takes for people to realize how wrong this is and how snakes(or any other reptile)are just the same as any other animal! And, like you said, if parents are telling their kids this, it makes the next generation think the same! Ant this could go on forever if it keeps up! It's just barbaric Well, maybe someday I could start a "Save the Reptiles!" charity! If no one else will! I'm seriously thinking about going into herptology now!
If you want to see a rattlesnake round up in Sweetwater, here is a link WARNING: CONTAINS GRAPHIC CONTENT
thats digusting. im very suprised that its still legal to do that anywhere in the US. as for why people are afraid of snakes, from what ive been told its because they dont have leg, look slimy, and people have convinced themselves they are allergic to them
also there are some people that think the roundups are only making more dangerous rattlers because they only find the noisey ones that give a good warning before they bite and leaving the ones that dont give much warning before a strike. ima bit inclined to agree with them
they are but since snakes arent cute and fluffy like dogs and cats or even wolves this kind of crap is still legal for some unknown reason
I am going to add to what Shanna said. It is also because R.R. have excuses like the following: 1. We get them from neighborhoods with children (which is a total lie by the way). 2. It brings tourists, which bring money. 3. It is just fun for the whole family (besides mine).
I dont get it! i just dont! the goverment is retarded! All this stuff towards reptiles!? The lacey act? Letting immagrinits come to this country to take the jobs we need? THey do the jobs we dont want to do, cuz we are lazy! if we just kicked them out then we will relize that we need to do it, so then we will! then the free stuff!(phones,ect.) were do u think that money comes from? our pockets! do you think the govt> cares about the works? NO, they just care bout linin there pockets if you asked me! wait, why did i say that? and im srry if i offened you.
I agree with some and most. I hate this goverment, especially the president. Did you know Obama spent more of our money then ALL of the presidents combined? And then he expects us to give him more. Well has been screwing this nation like a toy since day one and I am pretty sure he will never get a single vote again. Did you know because of him, our children, and more than doubt YOU owe already millions of dollars worth of taxes? It is ridiculous. If he wants to spend all this money on stuff we dont need, then he could use his own money. Not ours! God I wish he was never elected in the first place.
I have never heard that line before, and I'm not entirely sure how you mean that, but you made me spit gingerale through my nose. Bravo. I fully intend to use that line in conversation some day.
I generally don't mind seeing General Discussion topics go a little off from the main topic IF the original author of the thread does not mind or initiates the transistion. At which point we can either allow the thread to continue or I can split the topics. Opinions are also welcome, but please be respectful to others. If I see anyone bashing other's beliefs (be it religious, political, whatever) or arguments/flame sessions ensue... I will close the thread and issue infractions. Nothing wrong here, but seeing political views arise can give way to problems. Just wanted to give everyone a fair warning to keep things civil.
