Hello one and all

Lately I've been ranting on Facebook, but the character limit drives me crazy.  So, I shall rant here and link to it on Facebook.

I'll start by saying something everybody that knows me is well aware of by now.  I love snakes.  I have always been fascinated by them, but when we got our first ball python, Gene (Snakeyface, as I call him), the obsession was born.  They fascinate me.  The markings, the temperament, even the way they move is incredible.  They are wonderful examples of what nature can create.

They are carnivores, tried and true.  They do not eat plants.  They do not want green beans, spinach, beans, or bread.  They want meat.  Hot, ready to be swallowed rats or mice, at least in captivity.  Many larger snakes will eat rabbits, even baby chickens.  That is another topic, however.  This rant is dedicated to the people that think that snakes are cruel because they eat rodents, or that I am cruel because I enjoy watching my snakes eat.  To make it clear, I do not enjoy feeding my snakes live prey.  It worries me because they can be injured.  It saddens me because I do not enjoy watching the life fade from a cute, furry animal.  However, my snakes are totally dependent on me, and they need to eat.  It is no different, in fact, it is more humane, than your cat batting a mouse around your living room for four hours.  Some people call that cute.  My snakes kill their prey within minutes, then the fun begins.  I get to watch them methodically swallow the rodent.  It is absolutely fascinating.  If you don't believe me, check YouTube, you will be surprised.

I love my snakes just as much as I love my dog or my cat.  They are a very different pet, however.  They need minimal care.  I feed them once a week or so, and I make sure that humidity and temperature levels are right.  Other than that, my snakes don't need 'cuddled', played with, petted, or even acknowledged.  They would be perfectly content being left alone.  This makes them ideal pets for a person on the go.

As much as they enjoy being left alone, I enjoy taking them out.  I especially enjoy walking around the apartment complex with them.  I've done this several times since the weather warmed up, and I've talked to a lot of people.  People that were unsure about snakes before now know just a little bit more about them.  They know that ball pythons are constrictors and are not venomous.  They also know that my ball pythons are not going to eat my dog, my cat, or as my mother likes to wish for, my face.

Those of you that are afraid of snakes, I respect that.  I will never shove a snake in your face and expect you to smile.  I will however try to convince you that snakes are amazing creatures.  I will cite examples, most of them personal experiences.  I will talk with you about the facts I have learned.  I will do my very best to turn you into a snake lover.  If that doesn't work, I will respect your feelings if you respect mine.  Snakes are not evil, they are not "Satanic", and they are not minions of the Devil.  They are innocent, fairly primitive creatures that need to be cared for in captivity and, for the most part, left to go about their business in the wild.

That's all for now, thanks for reading.  Please comment!