Yes, I'm keeping the snake

What we do not understand we often fear, fight, or avoid.

Gracefully moving serpents have a bad reputation, although I've never been sure why; other animals are more often aggressive. Pending federal legislation adding pythons to a list of banned imports proves snakes are still reviled.Surprised exclamations of "hey, it's kind of soft" and "not slimy at all!" are invariably uttered by those to whom I've introduced snakes. Without exception, converts all.

"I hate snakes; I used to shoot them!" Vehement words from my mother, who after begrudgingly agreeing to a one-time, 10-minute play date soon bought one of her own. She named him Snoopy."Adopt them if you wish, but I want nothing to do with them," said my husband, who now possessively calls our rescue pet Ickshu "his" snake and exclaims in delight when they move (which isn't often). He has so much fun playing, I have trouble getting him to put Icky back in the habitat when I want his attention.

Snakes, like most animals, must be handled correctly. The right kinds make easy pets. No odor, no noise; feed (not irresponsibly overfeed) and clean the habitat every week or two, and we can leave them alone for long periods. They rarely need attention.Like dogs, some varieties make better pets than others. It was a Burmese python who was infamously lethal in Florida, not the mild ball python variety sold in pet stores. And no, these pets don't become seven-foot giants who eat people.

Ball pythons are scaredy-cats. They curl up in a tight ball at the slightest threat, such as my arm reaching in to fill a water bowl. They tend to thicken more than stretch, not growing as long as other pythons or boas, depending upon how much and what they're fed.Corn snakes, another pet constrictor, are much smaller, skinny, and typically orange-colored. You may have seen one in a Press photo held by the local boy protesting anti-snake legislation.

Consider dogs. Pit bulls have a reputation for greater aggression than Pomeranians, yet they remain legal.Unlike dogs, when a much rarer snake attack occurs or irresponsible owner lets one loose, fearful masses insist on a ban.

No ban when a local dog attacked my 9-year-old, biting his neck, tearing his lip off, and necessitating reconstructive surgery. Doc said another quarter inch to the left (jugular vein), and he might have died.That pit bull now lives on a Montana ranch and was poorly managed by owners who suffered no consequence. Pit bulls needn't be dangerous if raised by informed owners; I knew two others who were well-behaved and rather sweet.

Nearly any animal can be potentially dangerous. Statistics on animal attack fatalities show encounters with bees/wasps (.18 deaths per million people) and dogs (.07 per million) are far more lethal than snakes (less than .02 per million). These include attacks in the wild.I can live with an import ban. There are enough domestic snakes to breed for pet ownership. It's the fear which I hope dispels. New regulation would better focus on care and ownership of all pets, not just snakes.

Sholeh Patrick is columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Email [email protected].