Some people are drawn to snakes, others recoil in fear. Throughout history, snakes have figured prominenetly in religion and folklore, representing both good and evil. Some of the fascination comes from the fact that they have no legs, and this makes them mysterious to us. For whatever reason, the snake is the subject of countless rumors and stories, most of them entirely fictional.
Many people believe that all snakes are dangerous, slimy creatures.
This is far from the truth. Unfrotunately, the stories about the hiker who scared away a shy corn snake don't make healines, but stories of anacondas eating childern sell papers. In fact, snakes are clean, dry silky skinned animals that are mostly non-dangerous to humans. Of course, there are a number of poisionous, and even lethal snakes, but they are encountered far less often than the rumor mill would have us believe. As far as pets go, there are types of snakes that make fine companions.