There are more than 3,000 species of snakes on the planet and they're found almost everywhere. But, only about 600 species are venomous, and only about 200, seven percent, are able to kill or significantly wound a human. What's more is that humans die more from mosquitoes than snakes. Mosquitoes are responsible for about a million deaths each year, while snakes are only responsible for about fifty thousand deaths each year across the globe. Even humans kill each other more than snakes do. Humans are responsible for about four hundred seventy-five deaths of their fellow man each year, and dogs follow very closely behind snakes. This raises the question, if so many other things are way more dangerous than snakes, why do people hate and fear snakes so much?

So many people find snakes disgusting, when in reality they are beautiful creatures. Snakes are so unique and unlike any other creature. For starters, snakes do not have limbs, but they don’t let this stop them. They have a unique way of moving where they move using their flexible body, which consists of a long spine with up to 400 ribs attached. Muscles connected to the ribs help snakes crawl, climb, and swim, and wide belly scales help them grip surfaces. Very few animals don’t have limbs, and this makes snakes very unique. Also, snakes make great companion animals. Snakes do not require walks in the park; they are quiet animals, and easy to care for. Some snakes, like ball pythons, can live for twenty to thirty years. Snakes also don’t eat nearly as much as cats and dogs. They only need to be fed an appropriately sized meal every week or two depending on the type and size of your snake. I interviewed a local reptile expert, Grace, and asked for her opinion on snakes. Grace explained, “I personally grew up around snakes and have always loved them. I always found them fascinating and I think it's very interesting how they can adapt to a wide variety of different environments. Working with snakes has changed my life because it helped me realize how passionate I was about them. This realization ultimately led me to decide what career I wanted to pursue.” Snakes have been a very positive influence on her life, ranging from a positive impact on her interests, to even her career.

Not only are snakes easy to care for, there are many different colors and types of snakes. There are over 7,500 different ball python morphs alone. They range in several different colors and patterns. These animals can be absolutely breathtaking. Overall, snakes can make amazing companions for anyone. According to the article, SNAKES AS PETS, by CVMBS NEWS, “Often associated with deadly incidents or even horror stories, snakes are commonly misunderstood but can make fascinating companion pets. Like any pet, snakes offer company and stress relief for their owners. Snakes do not require daily walks in the park and they are quiet during the day and at night. With infrequent defecation, a pet snake’s habitat is also an easy clean-up.” Many people have a negative stigma towards snakes. Grace also expressed, “I believe that so many people are afraid of snakes for two different reasons. The first reason is that we have this basic instinct to be afraid of things that are a threat to us, which makes sense why people are afraid of snakes since some of them can kill you. The second reason I think many people fear snakes is because of the way movies, books, and the media portray them. Snakes are always shown as being evil or out to kill people.” Even though it is true that some snakes can kill or hurt you, a huge majority can’t. Media of all kinds plays a huge role in showing a negative stigma towards snakes.

As stated in the article Human Attitude toward Reptiles: A Relationship between Fear, Disgust, and Aesthetic Preferences, a study was conducted in the relation between humans and their view of snakes. The study was on “human perception of all reptiles focusing on the relationship between [them and humans]”. The results were that they were “perceived [with] fear, disgust, and aesthetic preferences”, and that there were even “differences between snakes and other reptiles.” People had a particular disgust towards snakes. This has basically concluded that humans view animals without legs, such as snakes, as abstract and therefore perceive them with fear, and disgust. Just because of how they are different, snakes are immediately seen as disgusting and something to be afraid of. This is terrible because these creatures aren't something to be seen as disgusting and vicious. I asked Grace what she thinks can be done to break the negative stigma around snakes. She replied with, “I think that the stigma can be broken by education. Most people who fear snakes just don't know enough about them and don't know that most snakes are completely harmless.” I think this is very true. People see snakes being portrayed in a negative way in all kinds of media. The best thing to do is educate yourself on the topic. Through education, people can learn that snakes aren’t just vicious bloodthirsty creatures. It’s important to educate yourself and others, so that people don’t react in a negative way that can cause harm to themselves, others, and the animal.

Many peoples’ immediate reaction is to kill something they find dangerous. Therefore, their first instinct when they see a snake is to hurt it. This negative stigma towards snakes needs to end. People will hunt snakes for their skin without any regard towards the animal. They don’t take their feelings and emotions into account since they are regarded with such distaste. People that hunt snakes often treat them with cruelty. According to PETA, “Once they are captured, their heads are often forced down and severed with a machete. Others have their heads nailed to a tree and their skins slowly peeled off. Because of their slow metabolisms, snakes remain conscious and able to feel pain and fear long after they are decapitated.” People that hunt snakes for their skin have no regard for the pain and suffering these animals feel. So many people just see them as disgusting or dangerous that no one even cares to bring attention to this problem, and that isn’t right. They are beautiful creatures, and although some can be harmful, most aren’t. Like all animals, they should be treated with respect.

Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences CVMBS News, July 9, 2015, “Snakes do not require daily walks in the park and they are quiet during the day and at night. With infrequent defecation, a pet snake’s habitat is also an easy clean-up.” January 19, 2022, https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/p...

Animals: Human Attitude toward Reptiles: A Relationship between Fear, Disgust, and Aesthetic Preferences, May 14, 2019, “Thus, we designed a study of human perception of all reptiles focusing on the relationship between perceived fear, disgust, and aesthetic preferences and differences between snakes and other reptiles.” January 19, 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6562393/#:~:text=In%20a%20subset%20of%20lizards,to%20be%20perceived%20as%20beautiful.

This List Will Change How You Feel About Snakes | PETA, “Because of their slow metabolisms, snakes remain conscious and able to feel pain and fear long after they are decapitated.” January 19, 2022, https://www.peta.org