How do I convince my parents to let me get a snake? - Ask Extension
Hi! My name is Arryana and i'm 11, i've been wanting to get a snake for a while, but I have been waiting until i'm older and more responsible. So afte...
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How do I convince my parents to let me get a snake? #553610
Asked April 16, 2019, 10:10 AM EDT
Hi! My name is Arryana and i'm 11, i've been wanting to get a snake for a while, but I have been waiting until i'm older and more responsible. So after my spring break, I asked my mom and dad and they flat out denied me. So I have been looking up cool, not hard to take care of, types of snakes. Though, every time I ask, they say the more I ask, the more no's I will get. I told them that I would pay for everything, but it's still a no, how should I get my parents on board with the snake idea?
Allen County Indiana
Expert Response
Hi Arryana! Thank you for your question. Convincing a parent who's afraid of snakes to let you keep one can be a tough sell. I would definitely start with a captive raised species like a corn snake, ratsnake or kingsnake. These species are good beginner snakes.
Here's an idea that might help your parents learn more about snakes and see that keeping one in your house is not all that unusual. There is a herpetological society that meets in Indianapolis, called the Hoosier Herpetological Society, that has monthly meetings. Here's a link to their website:
https://hoosierherpsoc.org/index.html
You might try seeing if your parents would take you to one of the society's monthly meetings, so they could meet adults that keep snakes and possibly parents who let their children have snakes as pets. If they talk to some other adults who have been keeping snakes for a long time, it might help them feel more comfortable about letting your keep one yourself.
I hope this information helps and good luck!!
Jim
Here's an idea that might help your parents learn more about snakes and see that keeping one in your house is not all that unusual. There is a herpetological society that meets in Indianapolis, called the Hoosier Herpetological Society, that has monthly meetings. Here's a link to their website:
https://hoosierherpsoc.org/index.html
You might try seeing if your parents would take you to one of the society's monthly meetings, so they could meet adults that keep snakes and possibly parents who let their children have snakes as pets. If they talk to some other adults who have been keeping snakes for a long time, it might help them feel more comfortable about letting your keep one yourself.
I hope this information helps and good luck!!
Jim
Ok, but my parents aren't afraid of snakes, they honestly just don't want one, is there anything you could do to persuade them?
Hi Arryana. Sorry, but if your parents aren't afraid of snakes and just don't want one in the house, there's not much I can do. Maybe they will change their minds once you're a little older. Hang in there!
Jim
Jim
Ok, thank you!
You're welcome!
