Snakewalk 2010 - East Lansing, MI

ekoostikBoa · #1 (**permalink**) 09-05-2010, 05:21 PM

Took Isis for a stroll through EL about a month ago and thought it was pretty crazy when I came across a girl with a 180 lb St. Bernard! I think some other people thought I am crazy..
Anyways, so I got my friend Andrew to go on another snakewalk last week. My sister happened to be in town too and she is the other one in the photos and she took most of the others. It was a pretty successful trip, Isis was a little stressed for a minute or two but unwound pretty quickly - I was watching her the whole time to gauge how to interact with people and when to take her home if needed. We were on the streets for about 2 hours and met people with reactions ALL over the board.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Downtown East Lansing

I discovered that putting a book in a backpack, and wearing that while carrying a snake of her size is EXTREMELY beneficial. She uses the backpack to support herself putting the weight on my shoulders. She seems to have a better grip with the BP, and it is 20 times more comfortable for me.

With my sister

Believe it or not, the other boa is only 6 months younger than Isis! His setup has the right temps and he feeds appropriate size items on the right schedule.

jeffreyr · #2 (**permalink**) 09-05-2010, 05:43 PM

Great looking Boa..

HERPHAPPY · #3 (**permalink**) 09-05-2010, 05:55 PM

Great 'p-r' attempt!? Backpack is a great idea...
The conventional wisdom is not confronting people (who may be phobic) when they are not expecting it, as in public places.... hope it doesn't backfire?

There are alot of reptile lovers now...maybe if we all did this on a "national meet & love a snake day"??? That way all the scaredycats could stay home! And those on "the fence" could see for themselves!
What does everyone else think?

sFlsniper · #4 (**permalink**) 09-05-2010, 07:19 PM

I think what he did was cool. On a planned day people might have their guards up- compared to meeting them "off guard". but that's my view.
she sure has some nice genetics. I'm sure the snake does too!

ekoostikBoa · #5 (**permalink**) 09-05-2010, 07:47 PM

Thanks for the kind remarks so far, I was a little worried about some backlash!

This is the 3rd time I've done this. I'm still getting used to being the center of attention and talking to all the people that I meet. And it's different with everyone, like I said the range of reactions is all over the place and I do my best to interact in a representative way with each person - good reaction from them or bad. This is also part of the reason I chose the shirt I was wearing.

There's a huge exotic pet store in Lansing - Pruess's, it's actually advertised in Reptiles magazine. I've thought about rounding up some people there. It'd be great if I knew some more people in the area with snakes!

I'm actually just about to go on campus for another walk with her. I'm going solo this time though, I'm probably going to seem even more weird this time walking around by myself. Hopefully people will still be interested in talking. Probably won't have any pictures this time though

HERPHAPPY · #6 (**permalink**) 09-05-2010, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reccaant

Thanks for the kind remarks so far, I was a little worried about some backlash!

This is the 3rd time I've done this. I'm still getting used to being the center of attention and talking to all the people that I meet. And it's different with everyone, like I said the range of reactions is all over the place and I do my best to interact in a representative way with each person - good reaction from them or bad. This is also part of the reason I chose the shirt I was wearing.

There's a huge exotic pet store in Lansing - Pruess's, it's actually advertised in Reptiles magazine. I've thought about rounding up some people there, but I'm a little worried about who might come out at the same time. It'd be great if I knew some more people in the area with snakes!

I'm actually just about to go on campus for another walk with her. I'm going solo this time though, I'm probably going to seem even more weird this time walking around by myself. Hopefully people will still be interested in talking. Probably won't have any pictures this time though

Well, there's pros & cons for doing this.....and I liked the shirt you wore...your "image" was

IMO!

Icicle · #7 (**permalink**) 09-05-2010, 09:28 PM

Nice looking boa.

Sakara · #8 (**permalink**) 09-05-2010, 09:32 PM

nice pics

I like taking mine out sometimes to different places that I know they are ok... But I don't push them on anyone... If people ask, I show them... lol

Rachel SS · #9 (**permalink**) 09-05-2010, 09:42 PM

It's a beautiful snake, I just don't think it's a good idea. Too many sights and smells out in the open like that for a snake and it's stressful, which can lead to bites. Just my opinion.

Zack · #10 (**permalink**) 09-05-2010, 09:57 PM

Gorgeous snake! Let us know how it goes on campus.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HERPHAPPY

There are alot of reptile lovers now...maybe if we all did this on a "national meet & love a snake day"??? That way all the scaredycats could stay home! And those on "the fence" could see for themselves!
What does everyone else think?

I think that is a great idea!

Ice · #11 (**permalink**) 09-05-2010, 09:59 PM

Nice boa, isn't that stressful for the snake?

HERPHAPPY · #12 (**permalink**) 09-05-2010, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ice

Nice boa, isn't that stressful for the snake?

I trust he knows his snake well enough? I don't think it is automatically stressful...it depends on your individaul snake, the rapport you have with it and the amount of pre-conditioning (ie handling) you have invested! Many snakes absolutely love the 'scenary' so to speak. Life in a cage is pretty dull!

Jess · #13 (**permalink**) 09-06-2010, 02:14 AM

If I still lived in MI I would love to go on a snake walk with you (: and I think a big organized walk is a cool idea. I used to take one of my boas for walks around my neighborhood, usually you find more people who are interested and curious than fearful

tucuxi88 · #14 (**permalink**) 09-06-2010, 02:28 AM

I know it would make my day if somebody was walking around with a big snake in my town... Though I don't know how many residents would agree.

I want to have a snake parade now.

Morgans Boas · #15 (**permalink**) 09-06-2010, 09:10 AM

Sorry to voice my disagreements , but I am 100% against taking our exotic snakes into the public eye. Their are way too many people that do not appreciate them, or even like being near them as we do , and their voices are very loud .I have a friend, who's wife can't even park in our driveway because the Boas live in my house - total fear to some people. I see this as a big negative to our hobby. Every summer, I'll see someone walking around in town with a snake draped over their shoulder , and I just want to go over and tell them to take it home - it's not a side-show . When people find out that I own snakes , over 50% tell me that they don't like them at all , or are completely afraid of them . There's no doubt that the random public feels the same way , and some may react by talking to city council members, or which ever people in Gov't make the rules. My neighbors all know that I have snakes - most have no problems at all, but I will not ever bring them out into my own front yard just so that it doesn't draw any attention to them, or even to cars passing by . I'll take them into the back yard on occasion, but its fenced. I love this hobby , and I don't want anything to keep me from enjoying it . If I want to show them off , I'll do it here, on a forum with people who love snakes .

CCConstrictors · #16 (**permalink**) 09-06-2010, 01:31 PM

Thats pretty cool, Ive taken one of my boas to the park with my kids. Its ool to see how some people will come right up to you and ask to hold it, others seem not to care, not afraid but just dont care. The real thing I like is when the kids come up and ask question and have never touched a snake before. I let them pet her and try to tell them snakes arent bad. One little girl was "snakes are bad" But by the time we left she wanted one...lol.
So I like your idea, I think it would be great to get the public aware and not have to hide our reptiles their lepers...lol.

ekoostikBoa · #17 (**permalink**) 09-06-2010, 02:53 PM

@ Herphap
I do know her pretty well. I take her out 2-3 days a week virtually every week. She is my only pet aside from a leopard gecko so it's easy enough to find time for her. I have taken her out into a field in my apartment complex ~10 times this summer, so getting outside isn't anything new to her.

@ Jess
Too bad! Where abouts were you living in MI?

@ Morgan
One thing that is going for me in this town is that it is a college town and people are generally more open minded and interested in something like a big snake. There are inevitably a few really cute yet annoying girls who are rude, but, although I'm not rude back in public to them, I really couldn't give a D less if they want to be angry - that's their problem.

@ Swomp
Interacting with the kids is great while on snakewalk! It's really cool when the parents encourage the kids to come over and they ask questions and don't make the kids think it's something to be escared of.

I would say the breakdown is something like this:
Of that people that notice Isis:

60% of people just keep walking sometimes while staring
10% are a bit freaked out and make sure to stay 20ft away. These people are not mean about it and are sometimes good-natured about it, they just know they are too scared to come near!
5% are angry about me having my snake out in public - I'm an extremely respectful easy-going person, but screw these folks. I don't approach anybody while out, I let others approach me, so they have no reason to be angry. They don't let me have a chance to say anything, and I don't make any attempt to.
20% of people want to come up and ask questions about her and pet her
5% of people want to hold her - Negative though there

I got some pictures of campus snakewalk and will post them later in another thread.

Stargazer · #18 (**permalink**) 09-06-2010, 03:18 PM

I knew there was a reason they put those loops on the tops of backpacks! She is beautiful. She reminds me so much of Veronica (whom I take for walks all the time).

Rachel SS · #19 (**permalink**) 09-06-2010, 03:44 PM

I think the 75% of people that you claimed have no interest or are upset about the snake should ring a bell as a clear vast majority of people are not comfortable with an unpredictable animal being exposed to them. If you do educational talks at a school, or post on craigslist that you'll talk at kids birthday parties about snakes, people are opening up their minds/homes to you.

There's no reason to force an animal on people, and walking around in public is a potential disaster waiting to happen.

Stargazer · #20 (**permalink**) 09-06-2010, 03:44 PM

When I take Veronica out, it's not to show her off to the public. I like for her to smell fresh air and crawl in grass. I have to take her out in public for that. Also, it's a bonding thing between us. She gets use to me and the way I move around. Also, it's good exercise for her, even just trying to hang onto me. There is nowhere to walk her where they're aren't people around, so they do occasionally stop and stare and ask questions. It's all been very positive so far. Reccant, I find it's about the same breakdown of people you mentioned. I don't do it so much with Jesse, the BCC, because he's a little tenser. Veronica is very laid back and use to going for walks.

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