How can you convince a "Snake-o-phobic" parent to let you keep one as a pet?

Question

See, My dad is totally afarid of snakes, but I've wanted one my entire life. I've promised to take care of the snake, and promised that I would buy all of it's food and Essentials and whatnot... But he still wont give. Help?

Answer 1

Maybe start off with something huge and excessive, like a python. It may sound kind of cheesy, but when i was younger I was completely in love with snakes and used this same method to get my parents to let me have one. I started saying I wanted a huge snake, and eventually whittled it down to a small lizard or garter snake. In the end, my parents let me get two garter snakes that were absolutely harmless and easy to take care of.

If he still won't budge on it, you should probably just wait until you're on your own to get a pet.

Answer 2

My mom was the same way. My neighbor bought me a snake for an early Christmas present and now my mom is totally in love with the slithery little baby. I just today asked her why, and she said because Princess is pink and it's hard to be afraid of a 10 inch long pink corn snake that will only get about 5 feet long. Seriously, before Princess my mom thought the only good snake was a dead snake, but now she loves Princess so much that i'm getting her her own baby corn snake for Christmas. She even asked for one!

Answer 3

My sons has a snake. I don't like it one bit. But there are a lot of different snakes out there and do your research. I wouldn't let him get something that could try to eat him when it grows up lie a ball python. I didn't want him to get something that would try to eat his sisters 2 lb chihuahuas. He got a corn snake. It can grow up to six feet but it will never get fat and try to eat anything bigger than a rat. Unfortunately we had to get a new one so we got a blue racer. He is inexpensive, (he eats 5 little 15 cent gold fish once a week), easy maintenance and if you have the right snake set up he won't get out and bug people like the dogs. My son loves it and that is the most important thing. So do you research and prove why you deserve a snake :) GOOD LUCK

Answer 4

Phobias are irrational fears, even if your dad knows it is in a cage and harmless it still can cause fear. Your best approach is to show your parent's you are responsible. You may want to volunteer at a local exotic animal rescue, an exotic vet or pet store to get experience with snakes (and at least be around them). Look at a variety of snake setups and find ones that are very secure with locking lids and show them to your dad. If you show you are responsible and that the snake won't get out he may eventually relent. But you have to face the fact that he may never give in, I didn't get a pet snake until I moved out on my own.
It may seem like a long time to wait, but there are lots of opportunities to be involved with snakes, there may even be a local Herpetological society in your town you could be involved with.

Answer 5

When I was a kid my dad was also scared of snakes. I always brought things back from the woods. Turtles, frogs, and yes snakes. The way I finally was able to have one after many times of hiding them and being caught, was by keeping 2 bricks on the top. He felt safer, knowing the snake was not strong enough to lift the top.

Answer 6

Ick - that sucks - I love snakes, though I'm always afraid of them breaking when I handle them... kind of like kids and ferrets...

I think you're pretty much stuck with getting one in response to an Uncle/Aunt or friend - the way my family works, as the Uncle I can pretty much get away with whatever I want, as long as it doesn't cause harm to the niece or nephews... so if you can get an uncle (the most likely to agree in my experience) to get you a nice snake...

Some of the Boas are beautiful... I'd go for that... I know that if my niece asked... she'd had the snake, and mommy and daddy would freak, but have to deal...

But that's an Uncle's job - right?

-dh

Answer 7

Tell him to carry Tinsel around with him wherever he goes. It's like a mirror for snakes. That way, if he ever comes across the snake, he can hold it up to it and it will run... no, slither away. Because even snakes are afraid of snakes.

Also, snakes have no arms, that's why they don't wear vests.

Answer 8

Maybe start off with something huge and excessive, like a python. It may sound kind of cheesy, but when i was younger I was completely in love with snakes and used this same method to get my parents to let me have one. I started saying I wanted a huge snake, and eventually whittled it down to a small lizard or garter snake. In the end, my parents let me get two garter snakes that were absolutely harmless and easy to take care of.

Answer 9

I know same here!!! i even said i would get one smaller than a burmese python.. llol... i want a milksnake sooo bad.. lol. I've decided since there's not much i can do i can just wait until i get out of the house.. only a couple more years, right? or you could try gettign him to be UNSNAKEOPHOBIC. take him to like a reptile show thing where he can see a snake, touch it, learn about it, and get over his fear. try that! and good luck! btw, what kind of snake were you plannign to get?

Answer 10

You can't force someone to stop being afraid of something. Stop a moment and put yourself in his shoes. Imagine what you're most afraid of; then imagine a member of your family bringing it in the house and making you live with it. How would you feel?

You can try taking him along to view some really cute baby snakes in a shop or something. But if he says no and really means it, you should respect that. Phobias aren't nice. I know you really want a snake but it won't hurt you to wait until you can get one of your own.