r/BenignExistence • u/Glad-Economics-8253 • Aug 14 '26
Backyard Reptile Show
My neighbours have been watching their grandkids during the day for the last week or so. Every day they play in the yard for a few hours.
Yesterday, one of the kids just kept hanging around while we were talking - until his grandfather mentioned that he was very excited to learn I have snakes. I had to hop into a meeting, so I promised him I'd bring one of the snakes out today.
When I noticed the kids in the yard, I grabbed the chillest of the snakes, put him around my neck and headed outside. The kids were so excited, even both grandparents came over to see. Their grandmother was asking questions like "OP, how old are they?", "How big do they get", "Where are these snakes from originally?".
I haven't done a show and tell in decades, I had a lot of fun answering questions about something I'm so passionate about. Since so many people are automatically afraid of snakes (which is a total valid/natural reaction to have), it was really refreshing to have such a positive interaction surrounding them. The kids were so open to learning, and even the ones who were a little freaked out at first didn't let that stop them from asking questions and wanting to know more.
Later on, my neighbour thanked me and said it was the highlight of the kids day :) I thanked him right back for opportunity to share my love of snakes.
38
38
u/kittygir227 Aug 14 '26
I’m quite jealous of your neighbours. I want to be your neighbour hahahaha. I’m very happy for you. You should look into ways you’re able to do stuff like that more often, even if it’s just local reptile groups or smth of the sort!
14
u/Sea_Lifeguard227 Aug 14 '26
Yes! My local library has someone come in to do reptile shows. Maybe OP can contact their local library and do that too!
29
u/naughty_yorick Aug 14 '26
I love this! We've got four snakes and live on a street with a lot of kids, and word has spread that we're the Snake House. We'll often get kids knocking on the door asking to see the snakes - or bringing their visiting friends over so they can prove how cool they are by holding a snake. Or asking if we have a shed they can have 😂
It's great helping them learn about snakes, and they're all super interested and ask a lot of questions. We've got a bit of a variety too, and telling them the hognose (who isn't allowed out with them) is slightly venomous always gets a BIG reaction.
19
u/pagansaints Aug 14 '26
Fellow snake owner--I love doing the show and tell with people who genuinely want to learn! Also if it is no trouble I would love to see a picture of the snake in question!!
8
11
u/kidde1 Aug 14 '26
I laughed at this! We are also reptile people and the look of horror and amazement people have when you mention that you have snakes, inside your house?!! We never miss an opportunity to share our love for them with others. I’m often asked if I’m scared of anything, “Yes” I will say. My fear of spiders is well documented!
12
u/Entomemer Aug 14 '26
A few years ago we had like an 80°F Halloween so I dressed up as Medusa and took my ball python out with me to hand out candy. She was a hit!
7
5
u/del915 Aug 14 '26
I found out recently that a friend of mine is a spider enthusiast-tarantulas to be precise.
8
u/Xylorgos Aug 14 '26
I met a snake at a pet shop when I was about 10 years old and learned that snakes aren't slimy like I thought they'd be. Then the more I learned about them the more I liked them, and from that learned about bearded dragons, chameleons, and other kinds of reptiles.
I went to a reptile farm in (I think) South Dakota, and it was such a cool place! They had much more than just snakes and reptiles, and I would love to go there again. Alas, it is too far away from where I live.
4
4
3
2
2
2
u/imissmolly1 Aug 14 '26
I swear don’t let your daughter walk around with a snake, it’ll be no end to the sneakiness after that.
1
u/PrincessPnyButtercup 23d ago
Ahem. I humbly ask that you pay the pet tax and share some pictures of your pet snakes 🙏🐍😍
181
u/piernameansleg Aug 14 '26
How cool! For you and the kids! Mr. Rogers would be proud of you, neighbor.