Issue 02: Snake Whisperer

Reptiles are this Girl’s Best Friends

A teenage snake whisperer tells tales about snakes as a way to overcome depression, the challenges posed by her atypical passion and living with a genetic disease which affects her mobility.

For most of us, the mere thought of reptiles carries a lot of negative emotions, the stuff of nightmares and superstitions. Unfairly regarded as creepy, slimy, and even dangerous, they inspire no such feelings in Meghan Montgomery, a 19 year old reptile enthusiast from Pennsylvania, who started caring for such animals in her early teens. Radiating kindness and maturity, Meghan dispels the myths and cliches around snakes as she tells us about her unusual passion for this hobby which usually conjures up images of either geeky boys or Tiger King type weirdoes.

It is not common for women to be reptile geeks. I like not being like everyone else and knowing I am more open to the”freaky” things in the world.

Loulou von Spiel is chatting with Meghan Montgomery

IMTAC: So, what’s the attraction and when did you know it was going to be a passion for you? How did you get your first snake and how did loved ones react?

I am most attracted to snakes because of how their body moves compared to other animals. I find their body functions and how they are able to get from one place to another fascinating. I knew it was going to develop into a passion because of how much it piqued my interest. My first snake was a Ball Python I had named fluffy as a joke, so my sister would think I came home with a fluffy rabbit or hamster. It freaked her out when she found out what he actually was. But it worked beautifully and the name stuck. I got Fluffy as a hatchling (baby) through a breeder after looking through a ton of different kinds and deciding he was the one. My mom was all for me getting a snake but my siblings, not so much. Other people like friends and family were nervous about them as well or found the hobby odd.

Within the herping (reptiles) community, do you ever face discrimination as a young woman? Does it affect you and how do you deal with it? Are there any advantages to being a girl hobbyist?

I don’t feel as though I am discriminated against a lot, but I have definitely had instances where people think they know more than I do, but I end up proving the opposite. It does frustrate me a bit, but I just push aside what they say and even if they don’t know it, I know I know my stuff. As for the biggest advantage as a girl, it is not common for women to be reptile geeks. I like not being like everyone else and knowing I am more open to the “freaky” things in the world.

Meghan says her knowledge comes from experience and research. She has been working at “one of the largest pet stores in the world” as a reptile room employee for almost 2 years. She credits that experience as a major contributor to her knowledge, thanks to working with 100+ different species of reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates giving her the amazing experience to see and learn about some rare reptiles in person. It has also allowed her to help her mom, who rehabilitates turtles and tortoises.

What would you say are the biggest challenges keeping snakes? How do people react generally?

The biggest challenges are landlords, spouses, or family members thinking the snake is going to eat them or that snakes are killing machines and will chase them down just to bite them. But that is not at all the case and it is disheartening to hear. I feel as though it has gone both ways working where I do, with people so terrified if I have a snake out that they cry, and make me leave the room. Others may be scared but still look from a distance, purely out of curiosity. Some are open to holding the animal, and some are excited to be in its presence. It just depends on what was programmed in these people’s minds when they were younger.

Are you considering a career in the field?

I would have absolutely loved to make a long term career out of working with reptiles. I had originally planned to work as a zookeeper, then as a biologist focused on animal behavior, then into being a vet tech for an exotic vet, and now I am not even able to work in the reptile room of the pet store anymore. Unfortunately I have a progressive disease that deteriorates my cartilage, causes my muscles to be loose, causes arthritis early on, which can greatly affect my immune system, and prevents me from doing pretty much anything physically demanding. I am only 19 and already have severe arthritis in my left ankle.

Currently, Meghan is transitioning to an office position at her present job. Hearing this makes me wish for an outlet for her to share her valuable expertise and enthusiasm with others, maybe through a youtube channel, as she would make a charismatic, knowledgeable and appealing presenter. “It would be cool to look into, but I feel I ‘d need more reptiles to have visual examples” I hope she gets those extra pets and eventually inspires more girls to take up the hobby. Meghan is also a talented draughtsman and designed the logo for a series of merchandise for her mum’s favourite charity, Central Mississippi Turtle Rescue (https://www.centralmsturtlerescue. com/) helping them to set up with the profit generated. She wears one of their hoodies in our videos where she introduces her snakes and talks about their care and personalities.

What insider knowledge do you want people to have about snakes?

This is something I have discovered in my many years of working with reptiles and snakes especially. In order for your snake to be calm, you yourself have to be calm, so the more you hold the animal the more it comes naturally for your nerves, stress, and in some cases depression to be lessened. I live by this and tell this to anyone interested in snakes, in fact, I remember a time a customer bought a snake based on my recommendation. He later returned to thank me with a card and a gift, and to let me know that the animal has become an emotional support for his anxiety and severe depression.

Finally, what advice would you give young girls interested in reptile keeping, and is there anything you would do differently?

I would say absolutely ALWAYS do your homework and figure out what the animal needs before ever considering it. Go on discussion boards and ask tons of questions and do your research. I would also add, never take what people say about your interest to heart because their judgments may be based on irrational fears, unless they have actually had bad experiences with snakes. I don’t think I’d change anything about what I’ve done. I have enjoyed every moment involved with these animals.