The Dangers of Snake Bite SENSATIONALISM: Quit The ClickBait!

[@wescollins]

In my opinion, there are objective ethical, moral, and value-based standards that should be upheld. If you are genuinely passionate about animals welfare, you should refrain from using sensationalist or misleading clickbait tactics to attract views. Such actions demonstrate a prioritization of personal gain over the well-being of animals and a departure from the ethical principles you once held. I have great respect for individuals who have the courage to stand up for their beliefs. While it is true that thumbnails depicting snakes biting or behaving aggressively can have a negative impact, particularly on young minds, it is important to remember that these images are often taken out of context. If you truly value ethical principles, why not simply be yourself and serve as a responsible ambassador for the animals you care about? Additionally, substantial thumbnails and content are interconnected, collectively symbolizing the animal

[@Snake_Therapy]

Well said. 💙

[@larissaweston5885]

I disagree with your ideas on clickbait especially as someone who was once scared of snakes. Like WWR mentioned in his video we go out looking for videos with confirmation bias and so did I. I wanted to see how dangerous snakes were but the clickbait brought me to videos where I was educated on the alternate. Due to this way of educating the public many people including myself have been transformed into reptile lovers.

[@canadiangirl1041]

The Snake Discovery video was about how to safely disengage a snake mid bite during a feeding response without causing undue harm to the snake. Because the snakes they had in the video had really strong feeding responses and didn't always pay attention to what they latched on to. Their husbandry was good even for that time, they showed that even in a tub/rack system you could still provide enrichment and have animals that thrived.

[@Snake_Therapy]

@@canadiangirl1041 that’s Important and valuable content! I only wish it was promoted differently.

[@Goblinrotisseriecat]

​@@Snake_Therapykeep your opinion to yourself.

[@Jilly_Beans]

Whilst I can appreciate your sentiment, as no one should villainize animals I think you might actually want to watch the videos you're talking about so you can have an educated opinion on what the content is about, which is the exact opposite of what you think it's about. Drawing people in to educate them positively and help change people's perspectives regarding the horrid stereotypes around some animals is a good thing. I highly recommend you really watch some of the creator's you're talking about. You'll gain a whole new perspective. Have a beautiful day ♥

[@Snake_Therapy]

I've watched plenty. What I said is I _no longer_ watch it on principle. And what I am talking about in this video is NOT the content itself- which, as I also said, can be valuable indeed. I am simply asking us to think about a different way to present that information to the general public. Thanks for the feedback- at least you weren't cruel in the way you posed it, and I appreciate that. I have no issue with constructive/productive dialogue when we are kind to each other in the process.

[@Jilly_Beans]

@@Snake_Therapy Adam did an amazing video regarding this the other day, and if you've not watched it, I might suggest it. I totally respect where you both are coming from, and I completely understand also coming from a marketing standpoint, (I work in digital marketing for virtual space retailers) on what gets the most attention and will reach the widest audience (which is the ultimate goal). Also, anyone who is being cruel over this, should really check themselves. We're all accountable for our actions and kindness is entirely free. I get that we're all passionate about this subject, but cruelty should be reserved for those actually making a profit off of harming these beautiful creatures. ♥ Thank you so much for your response.

[@mollyblower3868]

​@Snake_Therapy but snake discovery doesn't click bait and to my knowledge they let snakes that are food motivated bite them once to show how to remove a snake from you if they won't stop biting since only time I've seen a bite is when it's a food motivated snake which is rare for them these days you seem mad that your content just isn't popular or good or bringing people in you click baited yourself by lieing about these KZbins or at least snake discovery only thing they do to their thumbnails is add fun hats or highlight snakes when in their enclosure all titles are accurate too so I font get your problem unless you are just mad you aren't them

[@ReptilesandResearch]

I think this video talks in absolutes at times and reaches but I also appreciate the viewpoint, I think it’s important that accountability on KZbin is upheld. I value the critique and rebuttal videos, everyone has the right to critique and every one has the right to respond. Clickbait can be a powerful method of sharing your message. Or it can be misused. It’s neither black or white in my opinion.

[@geraldine797]

I agree with the overall sentiment of this video just not all the details. I was planning on telling you exactly what I disagreed with, but I watched Adam’s response video and he pretty much summed up what I was thinking while watching this. I will continue to watch your videos, as well as WWR and Snake Discovery. I’m not sure if you’re still reading comments, but if you are I hope you don’t let the rude people get to you too much. You have a great channel and are doing amazing work. It’s unfortunate that some people don’t understand that we can learn valuable lessons from someone even if we don’t agree with them on everything.

[@Snake_Therapy]

Thank you for being kind. It is more appreciated than you know. We don't have to agree on everything to stay kind to each other.

[@an-actual-attack-helicopter]

same. this.

[@ottliecrue4747]

As someone who's been on youtube as a viewer since 2005, I'd like to offer my 2 cents on thumbnails. A person who hates snakes and is hell-bent on hating snakes isn't going to seek out content about snakes. I do not seek out content I have no interest in, and my feed doesn't show me 'spider enthusiast' thumbnails cause I haven't given my algorithm any indication that I'm interested in seeing spiders, I also quicly correct my alogrithm if it starts recommending videos I don't want to see. A person seeing thumbnails of people wrangling wild snakes is already primed for that kind of content, and a look at their comment sections reveals this, comment after comment of "well you were dumb of course you got bit haha". This content isn't reaching people who know nothing about / fear snakes. You showed one of your thumbnails as a suggestion that "wouldn't this be better?" and honestly... No it wouldn't. I didn't even have time to read the thumbnail before it went away, there were like, 3 different fonts and colors and it was very difficult to take in, and it wasn't even thumbnail sized so I imagine it would be even harder to read (which I can confirm when I scroll through your channel). It shouldn't be that difficult for me to see. "Show, don't tell" and "Less is more" are two things I think ring true for thumbnails. Pictures are indeed worth a thousand words, so use that to your advantage. Luring in people with their bias ( the snake will bite oh no! ) is likely to be more effective than working against their bias, meet people where they're at. Clickbait is just that... bait for a click, and if your bait can't beat the scroll, then whatever words of wisdom you have to share will be lost, and you'll have to trust that the person with the better thumbnail will have the same message you do. Also, If I'm researching ball python bites, then yeah, a picture of a ball python biting is what I'm looking for, I want to see what that's about, show me the mark/blood, give me as much experience as possible just short of having me go to the pet store and ask to be bit by their snakes. Sure the snake in the moment is stressed out for content, but that's still going to benefit my future snake as I'll know what to do, what not to do, and how to avoid the situation all together. I'll be less likely to panic and hurt the snake. So I would argue that the single python's stress and discomfort for the sake of a video that will be watched thousands of times is benefiting hundreds or thousands of future pet ball pythons.

[@Snake_Therapy]

Thanks for your thoughts and advice. I am learning as I go- and never will stop learning. I do not claim to be an expert in marketing, and obviously not in making thumbnails- and have been trying to learn and change them for the better so that they are more attractive and communicative without being too busy. But I don't deserve to be attacked (I don't see your comment as an attack, btw- constructive criticism is totally fine- but I got _plenty_ of unnecessarily mean or rude comments prior) for being "less experienced" in youtube marketing. I am doing the best I can to grow whilst pouring my heart and soul- and all of my time- into sharing my passion for these animals and the benefits they can offer our mental health and wellbeing. I'm not perfect or a pro, but I am proud of how I've grown in the short time I've been doing this... on my own, from the ground up, for no monetary gain. I've had a positive effect on people's lives in a way I never even dreamed of. So if I can do better to do more of that, then I will! No, I definitely do not "trust that the person with the better thumbnail has the same message" as I do! Lots of people (most?) probably have better thumbnails than mine (again, working on it!), but very few have the same message. I'd love to see more! Just because you don't see content that you're not searching for on youtube does not mean it's like that for everyone. Having spent years now out in the real world and _in person_ educating people in the general public to try to reduce fear of snakes, my experience tells me that adding _any_ more scary images into the pot is counteractive to that mission. So lectures about how KZbin works does not change that for me. We can agree to disagree there. We can also agree to disagree on how one "should" lure people in.... and besides, I don't want to "lure"! I am here to Inspire and to Share Joy. That's where I'm coming from. I'm different. And that's okay. Believe it or not, some people are attracted to that. So sure, luring people in with bias works- but it's not what feels right to me, so I will not do it. If that means that I will get seen by less people, then I accept that, but I refuse to be part of what I see as a dumbing down of society, nor will I contribute to showing snakes as scary animals. I truly believe we can do better... by contributing more positivity, wonder and delight into a world that is seriously lacking in it. Call me old fashioned that way. The example thumbnails in this episode were not something I spent a bunch of time perfecting- what I was trying to show was positive, respectful images of people with snakes, so getting critical over them just seems like you're looking for things to criticize. It's the principle, the concept... Let's not get hung up on the design there. One more time for those in the back (because I feel like a broken record here): I have NO problem with people discussing the best way to deal with snake bites. It's valuable information for any keeper. But I disagree that it's acceptable to abuse an animal (blowing in their faces, poking them, scaring them) just to illustrate that. Snakes will bite without provoking them sometimes, and there are plenty of people out there showing all of this without promoting it in the way I discuss in my video. You can even show the snake biting you without making it a "Gasp! Scary!" image. It's just *easier* for people to use the fear factor. But easy doesn't mean better. That's why I said "be the change you want to see"... But if people don't want change, then they won't change. I, personally, want change. Plenty of creators that have much larger followings than WWR do NOT use negative images of snakes to discuss bite protocol/advice. But he made it clear that what was more important and valuable to him was money, clicks and views from utilizing sensationalism... which is exactly what I said he was doing. He felt the need to defend that... by confirming it. So if that's why he's doing what he's doing-- okay. That's not what *I* believe in, nor why I do what I do- and that should be just as okay. People don't have to watch my content. They could just move onto something else instead of attacking me or putting me down. Regardless of saying that his followers shouldn't be mean to me, WWR knew what would happen when he made the choice to make a 17 minute video about me with a nasty title just for mentioning him for all of a minute or two. Choices have consequences. Mind did, and so did his. I will try to learn how to reach more people with my imagery and graphic design, but I won't compromise on what I believe is right for the animals in order to make money. So, thank you again for the advice, for watching, and for taking the time to share your thoughts. We can totally disagree and still do so with respect.

[@Snake_Therapy]

@@ottliecrue4747 one more note: there are people hell bent on hating snakes who will probably never change their perspective, and then there are people who are afraid of them just because they’ve been led to believe they are monsters and have those fears reinforced by countless images and stereotypes- and those people can actually come around quite dramatically. I was one of them, and so was the woman I interviewed for this weekend episode, who simply needed to see a few things that changed her mind- and now we both are on missions to change that for and educate others. This is why I feel so strongly that we work towards positive imagery as much as possible. You don’t need to use bait and switch. That’s a choice. I don’t know why there are strike lines through this comment btw 😂 hopefully it’s just some glitch in the KZbin app?

[@ottliecrue4747]

@@Snake_Therapy I'm glad you don't see my post as an attack, as it wasn't intended to be. There's a lot to learn about marketing, and admittedly I don't have my own content to point to, so my experience is simply from the perspective of someone seeking content and learning from creators who are advising other creators. My 'lecture' about the youtube alogrithm is me pointing out how youtube works, and I figured you valued understanding how the platform you're using to change people's view of snakes actually works. Fair enough, we all have our own ways. You say the example thumbnail was an example and not meant to be criticized, but it isn't significantly different from the thumbnails that I assume you spent a lot of time on (actually, it's almost identical to the thumbnail on the top left at 18:28 ). I'm not 'looking for things to criticize' since your entire video is about thumbnails that get clicks and what is ethical vs nonethical, and you asked the question "wouldn't this be a better option? 12:05 ". Perhaps I was too blunt, and if so, I'm sorry. I'm curious what an acceptable bite thumbnail is like (of a snake actually biting in the thumbnail, but not seen as scary), cause that would have been pretty valuable to see and understand in the video. All I see are the ones who are doing it wrong, and not the ones doing it right. I love content that criticizes how people in a community are behaving, it's probably why my alogrithm lead me here, so I like to see what the person in the video thinks is the right way to do something, and I have to trust that whatever they show me is what they truly think is the correct way to approach the solution for the problem they're seeing. If there's a right way to do bite thumbnails that other youtubers have done to your liking, that woud've been cool to see. I don't know or follow WWR, I saw his video and generally agree with him, but I don't watch him cause.. well his regular content doesn't appeal to me. I watch SD and GRP mostly. But my algorithm knew that particular video of his falls into line with one of my interests (in-group analysis and community critique), so here I am. Anyway, happy to agree to disagree. I appreciate the time and effort you put into your response, and I wish you well in your endeavors. Also your text that contains -strikethrough- probably has a hyphen at the beginning and end of that text.

[@Snake_Therapy]

@@ottliecrue4747 Fair points, and perhaps I will make a video about being bitten and try to do a thumbnail that I feel does it right, while also sharing some others that I see doing it in a way that doesn't use fear factors. perhaps the images of me showing deference to a snake in regards to being bitten is not effective for some. I'll think on that some more.. As my content and mission is focused more than anything on mental health and the benefits of care and relationships with these animals, how to be less afraid and more respectful of them, and of how we receive and cultivate joy by giving to them, perhaps I won't be the model for how best to do a snake bite video. But it's very hard for me not to identify and talk about what I see as unethical or what I think detracts from the work of healing a rift between human and animal. It's always important to provide alternatives if you identify issues, and although that's what I tried to do, there are always opportunities to do BETTER. So I will keep trying. always.

[@nifferscritters]

Honestly, I think Wickens Wicked Reptiles does clickbait the right way. It gets you to click on the video, his videos are engaging enough to keep you watching, and the topic is almost always the exact opposite of the title of the video. His love and respect for reptiles is very evident and his videos are educational. Also, it only takes watching one or two videos to realize that his titles are almost always clickbait. I would be surprised if anyone is coming away from his videos with a irrational fear or negative view of snakes. Snake Discovery has inspired people to fall in love with snakes and I don’t think it’s fair to judge them on the title of a 7 year old video, without watching the video. There are reptile and other animal channels that actually do cause harm either to the community and hobby or to the animals themselves and those are the ones we should be staying away from and speaking out against.

[@Snake_Therapy]

To be clear, with the exception of JB, I am not "speaking out against" these creators- or even necessarily their content. This point seems to have been missed by many people, perhaps because they admire/adore these creators so much that anything said about them that isn't in full support is taken as an attack. What I am speaking out about is _doing better_ with the way they present their information to the public/in general... before we even click on the content. As I said, Snake Discovery inspired me as well, and I even said that the content of the video was probably valuable. But again- the content is secondary to the fact that what people SEE first, registers first. Adam may have some good information to share (although how is it good to tell people that animals WILL bite them?) but that's *not the main issue* I'm addressing. I'm looking at a bigger picture. I am looking beyond the effects on people who already love reptiles or watch reptile content. It's about the *overall representation of snakes and the hobby*. It simply isn't helpful or necessary to portray snakes as scary just because it gets people to click on your videos. They can do better. I know they can. I hope they will. Calling it out is not an attack on character, but behavior- and behavior can change!

[@nifferscritters]

@@Snake_Therapy I personally see the value in clickbait IF it’s followed by quality content because it draws people in who might not otherwise watch the video if it had a different title/thumbnail, and then leaves them with more knowledge than they had before clicking on that video. I will even admit getting occasionally drawn in by clickbait and then learning something new, even though I’m not generally the type of person who falls for clickbait. I think I’d actually need to see some evidence that it’s actually causing harm, although I’m not sure how one would go about researching and documenting that. I’m also one to caution against perfectionism, because I do actually see the harm perfectionism can do within the hobby (and animal keeping in general). Obviously we all have our opinions and we can agree to disagree. I do think calling out other youtubers on their titles and thumbnails should be done with evidence that they are actually causing harm. In the case of Adam, I would not be surprised if his style of clickbait and informative and engaging content actually have positive effects. It’s the clickbait followed by incorrect and inflammatory content that I think is most concerning. Some of those harmful content creators ARE in this video, but I personally don’t think WWR or SD are in the same category as some of the others mentioned because their content is educational and engaging.

[@darthmarvin247]

@@Snake_Therapy -"although how is it good to tell people that animals WILL bite them?" I actually know someone personally that would have benefited from that thumbnail. So I have a bit of what will hopefully be constructive criticism for you (sorry, long post, and yes, I came from WWR, but I saw your video before commenting). I think the main problem is that you don't actually know the target audience for the video. The thumbnails are usually created with that target audience in mind. Adam has a bunch of top 5 videos, and the more serious ones are intended as a guide for beginners to the hobby that are not quite sure what kind of reptile to get (the amount of options is overwhelming). Do you have a tiny flat? Top 5 reptiles that live comfortably in a 10 gallon enclosure, don't like feeding rats to snakes? Top 5 snakes that don't need to eat mice, etc. Many people (and this actually described a friend of mine a year ago, now he is getting an emerald tree boa on Sunday) like snakes, but are apprehensive about getting bitten by one. Adam's video is a great list of which snakes to avoid if that is the case (my friend ended up with a ball python as a first snake, got bitten, and realized it is not a biggie). Now, of course you are right that bites are always our fault, even from the snakes on this list, but the target audience is beginners, and beginners make mistakes. It is good for them to know which snakes tolerate mistakes better than others. This leads me to the second problem, which is your suggestions on how to teach about snake bites. Your topics are good of course, but they only teach about how to avoid bites, but beginners will screw up and get bitten. If I have a snake attached to my finger trying to eat it, I am not going to click on the video title that talks about building trust, I will click on the one that says "all about snake bites" hoping to get info on how to dislodge the snake without harming it, and that is precisely what that video talks about. And honestly the thumbnail is an accurate representation of the video. Emily gets bitten a few times by common pet snakes to show the type of snake bites you are likely to encounter and how mild they are, then proceeds to give a few techniques to deal with food response bites without harming the snake. Ed even gets bitten by the green tree python. I honestly think you are doing people a disservice by turning them away from good content just because of how a passerby might perceive the thumbnail. -"I am looking beyond the effects on people who already love reptiles or watch reptile content." That's the other thing, how many people that don't like reptile content are going to get such recommendations on their feed?

[@wescollins]

In my opinion, there are objective ethical, moral, and value-based standards that should be upheld. If you are genuinely passionate about animals welfare, you should refrain from using sensationalist or misleading clickbait tactics to attract views. Such actions demonstrate a prioritization of personal gain over the well-being of animals and a departure from the ethical principles you once held. I have great respect for individuals who have the courage to stand up for their beliefs. While it is true that thumbnails depicting snakes biting or behaving aggressively can have a negative impact, particularly on young minds, it is important to remember that these images are often taken out of context. If you truly value ethical principles, why not simply be yourself and serve as a responsible ambassador for the animals you care about? Additionally, substantial thumbnails and content are interconnected, collectively symbolizing the animal

[@soundslikelife8273]

​@@Snake_Therapy sorry? They need to do better? Snakes do bite. If your point is truely to stop clickbait thumbnails that hurt the reptile community, you picked at least 2 wrong channels to call out. Or maybe that was your choice because you know they wont bite back?

[@freedomospeech8180]

To me, clickbait is epitomized by false advertising. I find it infuriating when someone uses a misleading image, such as a brightly colored snake, and makes a sensational claim, like 'look what I produced.' Only after watching the entire content do I discover that it was all a ruse to entice clicks. I despise clickbait myself, as it erodes trust and leads me to dismiss content outright, thinking to myself, 'just another clickbait attempt.' I'll scroll past it without giving it a chance. However, regarding your criticism of certain individuals, I don't believe they've caused any genuine harm to the animals. On the contrary, I think they're only hurting themselves. When I encounter clickbait titles, I scroll right past the content, feeling that it's unwarranted and unnecessary for learning about these incredible animals.

[@KathrynHardin-c8s]

Snake discovery rules!!!!!!

[@Snake_Therapy]

@@KathrynHardin-c8s I agree, they’re great. Wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing without them. Have sung their praises in many videos.

[@B3258]

I liked the video but I feel like there’s a difference between sensationalizing snake bites and showing that experienced keepers such as snake discovery, or Kevin over at NERD can still get bit. Some of the creators you showed definitely use snake bites for views but I wouldn’t consider Adam, snake discovery, and definitely not Kevin as showing snakes in a negative light and I think they all add their unique talents to this hobby. Clint has often talked about some challenging animals as “bad pets” but it doesn’t mean they’re bad for everyone and I don’t believe he’s doing those animals a disservice, rather educating people and saving both the potential owner and animal from a bad partnership. Some snakes are more temperamental and first time owners should probably be informed so they don’t start to fear their pet after an early rough patch. Again I liked the video I just think there is a line between education and sensationalization that some of the creators you mentioned don’t deserve to be lumped into.

[@lizardman6515]

@@B3258 the main point was that even those creators have fallen into the trap of using sensationalized thumbnails to get views - those thumbnails are just objectively harmful, especially since so many people who haven't had the chance to learn about and interact with snakes will see them and may not even click on or watch the whole video, which just fuels the harmful stigmas in the person's mind. And if they do click the video, the harmful image just gets pushed further into light by the algorithm

[@Janeway1269]

To her point, most people don't bother watching the actual video content. They WILL see the thumbnail and those images stick. All content creators bear a responsibility to avoid doing anything to villify these animals. Most people are not hobbyists or snake lovers.

[@Snake_Therapy]

Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment. I hope you watched the entire thing- because you'd know that I pointed out that I agree with you in that there is a difference between sensationalizing snake bites and educating about them. This is why I talked about ways we can educate *without* said sensationalism. We need to think "HOW DOES THIS HELP" on *every* front if we want to be responsible, positive representations for herpetoculture. And even if the content those creators made is helpful to some, as the other respondents to your comment said- damage is done first and to more people by using scary sensational imagery to pull people in. It's absolutely important to educate people about how to reduce defensive behavior, what to do if they're bitten, etc. But presentation is crucial. And let's be honest, Kevin's videos about being bitten were based upon him intentionally getting that snake to bite. I know he was trying to show the effects and how maybe it wasn't as bad as what everyone would think, but not only did he use scary images to do so, he stressed his snake in order to prove a point, and that's not really okay with me, personally. We can talk about this subject without doing that. As I said, I appreciate a lot about Snake Discovery, and give them credit where credit is due- but the way they presented the undoubtably valuable information IN their content did not necessitate the imagery they used. We need to consider that it's not just the herp community seeing these images, but the general public, too. So by all means, people should make the content if it's educational, but they should present it without sensationalism, and don't intentionally stress their animals. Otherwise, it's just undercutting the end goal.

[@teijaflink2226]

I like all those creators but it's good if they think about this too and don't fall into the trap at only thinking about views, specially if they want to be responsible and respectable reptile edicators.

[@B3258]

@@Snake_Therapy Yes I was able to watch the whole thing, I guess I’m in the minority but I just don’t really take issue with the imagery, more so the videos themselves when creators provoke bites and make a big deal about the aggressive or dangerous behavior which u talked about. So I did agree with a lot of what u said I just really only cared about the content of the videos and not thumbnails so the creators I mentioned had very different videos then the rest and it felt wrong to see them side by side with people very different from themselves. It felt like putting a person with a speeding ticket and another with a felony charge and calling them “criminals” like yes they both are but there’s a big difference.

[@RedDyeFive]

While I agree that there are some shady animal channels on KZbin, Snake Discovery isn't one of them. They're an education oriented channel. They also have a reptile Zoo and raised a bunch of money for USARK recently. I don't think they would ever intentionally do something to harm a reptile or the image of reptiles. I would 100% recommend giving them a watch. They have a whloe assortment of videos.

[@Snake_Therapy]

I welcome all constructive feedback that fuels helpful or positive dialogue- but it helps to actually take in the subject matter fully first. Otherwise it's just a waste of everyone's energy. So before weighing in with your opinion, you should probably watch (and listen to) the video in full. And maybe check my responses to the other knee-jerk comments regarding this same thing, or watch my other videos in which I sing their praises! Just because WWR made a clickbait title for his video suggesting that I think Snake Discovery is "bad for reptiles" or, as you say, a "shady" channel, doesn't mean it's true. Nor is it at ALL what this video is about. You fell for the clickbait bait-and-switch without sticking around for the switch! Please listen, watch, and think before commenting if you're going to lecture someone on what they should know, or should or shouldn't do.

[@darthmarvin247]

@@Snake_Therapy -"Just because WWR made a clickbait title for his video suggesting that I think Snake Discovery is "bad for reptiles" or, as you say, a "shady" channel, doesn't mean it's true." Sorry, but I watched the video and it does come across that way, especially since you then went on to talk about what they should have included in that video, right after you admitted you didn't watch the video. Oh, and on that note, " Please listen, watch, and think before commenting if you're going to lecture someone on what they should know, or should or shouldn't do." Really? I'll be honest, if I had seen your video without ever knowing about SD I would never watch them. Why? Because I agree with the overall message of your video, and you lumped them in with people that actually do bite sensationalism. I would be missing out on content you agree is good just because of how you portrayed them in this particular video. Given that you want people to be less afraid of snakes, and their channel is probably the best at curing Ophidiophobia you are going against your own interests turning people away from them.

[@Snake_Therapy]

@@darthmarvin247 I’m sorry that’s what you took from this, but you misheard/misinterpreted what I said. I’m not trying to turn anyone away from channels, I’m trying to ask people to use better imagery. Good people can make not-so-good choices and still be good people… SD does not equal Prehistoric pets, but they both used similar tactics. and I am not trying to turn people away from SD at all. I also didn’t say anything about what they should have included in their video. I said their content was valuable info, and I *wondered* if they talked about husbandry, musing that it’s something I think isn’t talked about a lot in terms of causation for defensive behavior. I’m sorry you didn’t appreciate how I framed things, or that you took it poorly. Many people understood, many people didn’t. I have to accept that, and learn from it- just as this video is about examining and changing behaviors that might help things improve. It’s a process… and talking about it is a good thing- even if people disagree or don’t like it.

[@darthmarvin247]

@@Snake_Therapy -" I’m not trying to turn anyone away from channels" I know that (mostly from reading your other responses), but unfortunately that is the effect this will have. You made the point "I didn't watch the video because I didn't want to give it views". Many people that agree with your overall message will follow your example, and might even apply it blankly to any video made by the channels you featured here. And if you don't believe me, here is an example found in this very comment section: "Probably content creators that sensationalise snake bites aren’t worthwhile creators after all." -"and I wondered if they talked about husbandry, musing that it’s something I think isn’t talked about a lot in terms of causation for defensive behavior." Within the context it sounds like you are saying that should be in the video, otherwise it seems like a really random comment. For the record, they have plenty on husbandry in other videos, but it wasn't the scope of that particular one. In fact, they barely touched on defensive snakes, because the ones that bite and don't let go are the ones that bite in food mode. -" and talking about it is a good thing even if people disagree or don’t like it." I agree. I wouldn't have taken the time to write the comment if I didn't think you would listen. I definitely think your heart is in the right place, just disagree with the specifics. I actually think a certain level of fear of snakes is a healthy thing. Unfortunately (or not, variety is the spice of life and all that) people will react very differently to danger. On the one hand you don't want to trigger a fear response from people that have an unnatural fear of anything that might hurt them, on the other hand you also don't want to encourage reckless people doing reckless things. I live in the Netherlands, and I got 2 of my snakes from Marktplaats (like a version of Craigslist if you are in the US). You have no idea how many dangerous things I have seen for sale, at rather low prices too. I am talking forest cobras, russel's vipers, gaboon vipers, etc. If we downplay how dangerous these animals can be then someone who doesn't know what they are doing will buy one of these, get killed and the news will have a far more detrimental effect for the hobby than a random thumbnail out there.

[@RedDyeFive]

@@Snake_Therapy First, I was never providing feedback of anykind. I only ever talked about how Snake Discovery does a lot of positive things as part of my recommendation to watch. Second, I did watch your entire video and did not just pull an opinion from another youtuber. Not only that, but I didn't feel a need to review your comments (as you suggested) because I was only providing a recommendation. I only started with the part about Snake Discovery not being shady because I agree with the comment below and got the impression that you mistook them as having a negative impact on reptiles and their reputations. Now, as per your suggestion, I have reviewed your comments and see that many other people did as well. You're correct that I had never seen any of your other videos prior and at the time of my original comment I was actually excited to watch more of them. However, in the video you admitted to not having watched the video from Snake Discovery. I thought that recommending a channel that I genuinely enjoyed would be worth it. That's what youtubers are typically trying to promote, "a community. " In addition, I did not lecture anyone on what they should or shouldn't do or know. I made a genuine recommendation because I was excited to share a channel that I liked with another reptile channel. While, I do appreciate conversation or dialogue, I found your comment extremely condescending and unnecessarily defensive. I have decided that I would rather not be part of the community. Apologies.

[@KenobisKorner66]

I do respectfully disagree. Snake Discovery,Wickens Wicked reptiles etc are not bad and i do believe clickbait can be a power good tool if used in the right way. 😊 I dont think that using it in bad manor is a good thing at all its not just black and white its more like 50 shades of grey. And if you would just watch some of the people you are talking about youll find out they are trying to spread the truth of snakes the same as you! But the hate you are getting from all these people over your video is uncalled for. But I feel as your voice needs to be heard those people need to be heard as well. So im not justifying those people negative actions towards you but also I'm not saying that they are in the wrong either but I will say I hope you a emotionally doing better over this because your right from me reading the comments you don't deserve this. Everyone should be civil and be able to responsible and talk about what the are feeling people who think using snakes in click bait is bad vs the ones who use it for good. But with all that being said have a wonderful day!Thank you for this video. ❤ (Maybe with all respect you can maybe go watch one of the Wickens Wicked Reptiles videos and see what he is really all about) ❤❤❤

[@Snake_Therapy]

@@KenobisKorner66 I never said WWR or Snake Discovery are bad. I think SD has done extremely important work- I wouldn’t be where I am without them! And I used to watch WWR as well. I appreciate you being respectful in your disagreement, and your empathy. Just to be clear, I have watched many of the channels I referenced- I just don’t click them *anymore* IF the images are negatively portraying snakes. Shades of gray is a good analogy I guess. No absolutes. Thank you for watching and for contributing and being a caring person who obviously loves these animals.

[@RapkoIndustries]

I got tagged by my 7ft boa soon after getting her from a rescue. It was 100% my fault as I was moving things out of her enclosure to make her easier to get out and when I went to move the long that her tail was wrapped around she got a good bite of my forearm. She instantly let go and I was immediately humbled! Some of my friends and family were asking me if what I planned to do or how was I going to be able to take care of such an aggressive snake. I told them it was MY FAULT, the snake was not yet use to me, didn't know my intentions, I was moving to fast, I took away her last anchor point, etc... Since then I have had no issues and she is the sweetest girl ever!

[@Snake_Therapy]

Aw, it happens! Thank you for trying to help people understand snakes a little bit better. A cat scratches someone and they just shrug it off, but a snake does and suddenly it's an aggressive beast?! It's all relative, and that's why it's so important to show the world that these are animals just like any others that have no intentions of harm. Thank you so much for watching and sharing!

[@lizardman6515]

I LOVE that you chose to feature sweet Olórin here ❤️🥰 and I really really loved the example thumbnails you presented at the end. Such a creative way to finalize your argument. It ends on a humble note and left an impression on me of the urgency of the situation and the disparity between where the community is and where it needs to be in order to really advocate for these little friends 🐍🐍🐍

[@Snake_Therapy]

Olórin was the obvious choice ;) And I really didn't want this to be all negative- because even though we need to identify the problems, the point is to remind everyone there is another way we can do this that supports the animal, herpetoculture, and public opinion. I tried to make sure to offer solutions and alternatives while still calling out the issue.

[@lizardman6515]

It didn't come across as negative to me - my brain was full of happy chemicals and I experienced positive emotions while I watched it. I think because it's a pressing issue that I feel strongly about (protecting and loving snakes 🐍). And you presented your stance in a passionate way. Also, the end left a huge impression on me - so your intention hit the mark, on my end at least.

[@reginagarciaoliveira]

Snake Discovery hasnt really been clickbaiting? And the content is more worth then the pictures if most of the people are smart I gotta agree that most are bad, but WWW, SD and NERD make good content

[@Snake_Therapy]

Snake Discovery is a valuable resource, and has presented fantastic educational content that has improved the outlook on snakes in the general public. I applaud them for that. So just in case anyone needed to hear me spell it out, I APPRECIATE them immensely. I used the only thumbnail I've ever seen from them that was clickbait to illustrate that they _could_ have done without it and still presented the same content and gotten views. I think they're great. I don't watch them much _lately_, but not because of anything they've done wrong. Adam used the few moments I discussed their thumbnail as a prop for his video... Thus proving my point that clickbait can be damaging- to both snakes and humans... myself now included.

[@wescollins]

In your opinion, is it acceptable for content creators to use clickbait with negative imagery of snakes to convey their message? However, you assert that it is incorrect for her to employ clickbait for the same purpose. Please clarify the distinction between the two scenarios and explain why one is deemed appropriate while the other is not. Your statement appears to be somewhat uninformed because she is emphasizing how negative imagery, regardless of its content, can elicit negative thoughts when associated with a particular subject. Additionally, studies have demonstrated that imagery, including positive and negative images of snakes, can evoke negative perceptions of snakes in general. Therefore, if your ethical principles permit the use of negative imagery of snakes while conveying a positive message without causing harm, it is possible that your ethical and moral compass may require reevaluation.

[@SeagraveSerpentarium]

I wonder how many of snakes in those thumbnails where they're about to bite a person are actually just yawning. I have a great picture of my corn snake, Doc, yawning really wide. I think it's an adorable picture of him but if I photoshopped my face next to his mouth for a thumbnail I could get a lot of people out there thinking I have a corn snake that bites me a lot. But the truth is that Doc is super easy-going, has never acted defensive since I've known him, and is even friendly and outgoing when meeting humans he has never encountered before.

[@Snake_Therapy]

@@SeagraveSerpentarium omg I love this- such a good point!

[@xTenshiko]

Fantastic video, as always.

[@Snake_Therapy]

Thank you so much!

[@thephantom8342]

Love the honesty. Keep up the great work👍👍

[@Snake_Therapy]

@@thephantom8342 thank you so much. 😊

[@Allendavid79]

One of the best vids you’ve done.

[@Snake_Therapy]

💞 Thank you!

[@kaylaroach]

Well said, I couldn’t agree more! 👏🏼

[@Snake_Therapy]

Thanks so much! Look forward to possibly crossing paths with you at Animal Con!

[@sixteezchild]

I'm in a snake ID group from North Texas on Facebook and I am learning so much about behaviors, venomous vs non-venomous, which distinct characterists are a dead giveaway and a snake's ID, and so much more! The photos are first ID'd by an "expert" who has better knowledge than those of us just learning. They will give you and ID, tell you if it is venomous or non-venomous, discuss different color variations, and tell you to shew it with a water hose or call a reptile relocator, or they will tell you that is a good snake and is great to have around for rodent control, etc. Sometimes, there are photos sent from other areas besides Texas, but our top people always give and ID if possible. I've been there a little over a year now and the fear I had of snakes has been cut at least in half. They will tell you what to do if you or someone else has been bitten. It's just a wonderful group and I am so grateful for it! I'm also grateful for your gentle and no-nonsense approach to handling and owning non-venomous snakes!

[@Snake_Therapy]

💞 That's so awesome that you are part of a group like that!! That is so valuable, and what education SHOULD look like.

[@sixteezchild]

@@Snake_Therapy Thank you! I absolutelty have a whole different outlook on snakes in general than I did a year ago...thanks to my snake friends and the snake group! 💚🐍💚

[@lorrainekay13]

Great video. Thank you. I agree with everything you said. I would like to say though that there is a place for certain types of "snake bite" videos. There are a few, a very few creators out there who have made videos for the expressed purpose of dispelling the fear of getting bitten and to teach us how to take a bite without freaking out and hurting our snake. Almost all of them feature an accidental capture of an unexpected bite. I do think it's important for people to get over the fear of a bite since approaching your snake with fear just increases the chances of a defensive bite.

[@Snake_Therapy]

@@lorrainekay13 I agree with you totally! It’s just so important how we present the information.

[@lizardman6515]

First! Lol. So excited, watching rn 🔥

[@VickieGalloway-g3r]

Thank you for making this video and speaking up against content makers use images and wording that make snakes look like they're out to bite people.

[@Snake_Therapy]

Thank you for watching, and for understanding the importance of this topic! 💞

[@LetterLadyZ]

Watching Amy Benzi with her snakes has shown me how villainized Emerald Tree Boas are and how gentle they can be. I adore her and her beautiful snakes! I have family members who are of the “i kill any snake I see in my yard” variety and it’s really upsetting to me because they are beautiful and so very beneficial to have around! I just do what I can to promote snakes and their welfare-with the assistance of my snake obsessed children!

[@Snake_Therapy]

Amy is an inspiration!! It was such an honor to get to speak with her. Thank you for helping spread the good word. It's an uphill battle, but one we need to fight!

[@LetterLadyZ]

@@Snake_Therapy I've been lucky to have gotten to know her and be considered her friend recently. I hope I can one day visit her snakes in her jungle room!

[@Snake_Therapy]

oooooh that's such an exciting prospect!! Lucky you!

[@FILMS1982]

Nice video and one professional audio tip? Use an eq in post production, and if you flip the hollyland lark 1 into your shirt closer to your throat, you will get a better sounding.

[@Snake_Therapy]

Thanks for the tips!

[@EileenNorcross-xd3ob]

Another excellent video thank you

[@Snake_Therapy]

Thank you so much!

[@dacisky]

Snakes also have the same problem mice,rats,geckos and horses do. Their eyes are on the sides of their heads,so their depth perseption is not stellar. It astounds me how often my geckos bang their noses and miss the food so close to their little faces...Snakes have the same problem. I don't even watch the stupid snake bite stuff,or the insect sting drama,etc.I've never been bit by a snake even when I got the garter snake off the sticky trap way back when. Anyway,great video. It's a shame the people who need to see this video never will.

[@lizardman6515]

@@dacisky these are awesome points. And sticky traps are the WORST. Thx for saving the little guy

[@darcieclements4880]

Yes it's important to hold the food far enough away from the animal so that they can accurately pinpoint it. Especially captive red ones which may not have had enough stimulation growing up to fully develop their skills.

[@carolinemaynard3288]

Clickbait is also images correct so why is adam wicken in your thumbnail if not to get more views

[@Snake_Therapy]

@@carolinemaynard3288how eloquently put. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@Guuzaka]

I watched Adam's video. 👀 I watched Shira's video. 👀 My opinion? Basically the same with what I said on Adam's video: strike a balance. ⚖ I get that KZbin thrives on sensationalism, and that you must make eye-catching videos to bring more people in to watch your video. ✨ That said, I seriously hate obnoxious thumbnails. 👎🏾 You can make an eye-catching thumbnail without being over-the-top. 🤪Adam says that it does no harm once people click and actually see what the video about, which is true. But, even he admitted that there are some that agreeable go too far like those getting bit in the face. 🤦🏾‍♂ As for those venomous keepers, I too, agree that they were asking to be bitten. 💀 No need to free-handle venomous snakes when there so many tools in place to go about dealing with them. 🐍

[@Snake_Therapy]

@@Guuzaka 🫶 thank you for your thoughtful input. Balance is definitely important. Eye catching doesn’t have to be harmful or negative. I’m still learning, and will always continue to do so! But I have certain standards that I won’t neglect just because of what the social media machine wants. It means I may never be a huge channel- but I’m here for what I believe in and am passionate about. integrity, not fame.

[@teijaflink2226]

I watch lot of those channels (some I even see as pretty serious, Jays prehistoric pets I really dislike though) but you are so right about this, I will try to think more about what type of reptile videos I will click, there is enough reptile neglect, use, clickbait and abuse. Snakes definitely don't bite just to bite. Thank you for calling out these channels, many reptile keepers and channels need to think more about the influence they have and how they treat animals.

[@Snake_Therapy]

Thank you SO much for this. This shows me that you are a really thoughtful, humble person. Even though you watch and like these channels, you thought about it and realized that they could do better- instead of jumping to their defense or assuming that I'm calling them all "bad" (Jay's channel excepted 😂... His is all bad). Thank you for recognizing this and commenting about this important issue. Stronger together!

[@aidenparedes8516]

You are never going to get anywhere on KZbin with this mindset. You NEED to use clickbait to be successful.

[@Snake_Therapy]

@@aidenparedes8516 clickbait does not have to be negative or harmful to work. Plenty of folks with big channels have proven that. And you telling me I won’t get anywhere is not constructive feedback. Please be more thoughtful and kind if you really care to be received. Otherwise- why comment at all?

[@seanbennett7916]

I definitely agree with 99 percent of the content creators doing it badly,but a few some you mentioned, have presented it as they did mess up and place all the blame on themselves. I've never been bitten by any of the snake's I've had from redbellies ,ball python's, several boas species, indigos to burms. I almost got bit by a fwc I had and that was all me I didn't have a big enough feeding forcept and she missed the mouse and brushed my finger, but her mouth was closed at that point, I believe she realized she missed the target and I wasn't it. I have been bitten by every lizard I've had, my newest one a lewisi started biting in cage on occasion and I'm trying to work with him on that. That started after I got some super worms and dubias for treats, it backfired on me. He's getting better but it could be he's a male and going through a phase also. I hand feed them when I take him out but only give him a few but when it's over he gets excited and no more treats he will sometimes nip me. I'm trying to tame him but I've read it can take up to 2 years to gain trust. In 6 months I would not take a bite he's 19 inches now and it going to start getting worse soon. I need to get him to trust me before then. Hes getting better but not fast enough.

[@Snake_Therapy]

@@seanbennett7916 as I mentioned in the video, the content is secondary. I’m in no way suggesting we shouldn’t talk about how to work with defensive animals or what to do about bites. How we present that information, especially to the world beyond herpetoculture, is important, and we have a responsibility to do so without sensationalizing the animals.

[@darcieclements4880]

Yeah my animal learned bite inhibition. I didn't know if she could learn bite inhibition but I figured I would try the techniques for it and wouldn't you know it, It worked. Bite inhibition doesn't even work 100% of the time in pet dogs and yet it worked in my hognose snake. Since I had some coordination problems it was inevitable that her mouth would end up on me at some point, but the amazing thing was she immediately tried to not bite me and let me very gently unhook her as she held her mouth open as wide as possible.

[@heatherb2762]

I like learning and teaching videos. Judging basically every other creator and preaching? No thanks. I have been keeping reptiles for almost 15 years and watch for edutainment and community. If your community is turning into the next "we're better than", then I'm out. I enjoyed your content until recently.

[@darcieclements4880]

I don't think her point is to be judgmental. Her point is to bring up the dialogue that having a sensationalized thumbnail can do more harm than good as people scroll past it and just take in that impression without seeing the content. And unfortunately there are some content creators out there that are absolutely horrific and I'm going to assume you haven't seen them or you would understand what she was talking about. We're talking about people who do end up being prosecuted for what they do to the animals.

[@Snake_Therapy]

Thank you @darcieclements4880. Exactly. I don't intend for us to turn on each other- in fact, quite the opposite. @heatherb2762 If you watch the entire video, you'll know that I'm asking (and presenting to) the community "how can we do BETTER?" ...And in order to do that, the issues need to be identified and called out.

[@El-ng7mb]

This is called thoughtful and educated critique of reptile content and it's needed.

[@Snake_Therapy]

Thank you for seeing and acknowledging that, @El-ng7mb!

[@taylortheturtle]

ETB's, not "EBT's". Sorry, I'm OCD. Love your channel! This video made me cry I love it so much! ❤❤❤

[@Snake_Therapy]

@@taylortheturtle yup, and I’m Dyslexic sometimes! Sorry, and now I’m embarrassed! But I’m glad you loved the rest of it, at least! 🤣

[@taylortheturtle]

@@Snake_Therapy Oh, so much! I can't even express how good this message is in this video. Thank you!

[@Sazandora635]

It's pretty aggravating to see people consistently trying to warn of the "danger" of keeping snakes as family pets in comments sections because they seem to think watching all the sensationalized nonsense floating around makes them authorities about the subject.

[@Snake_Therapy]

100%. This is why it's so so important for people with a large internet presence to present this issue in less inflammatory way. Otherwise, it only reinforces ignorance.

[@jasondavis7408]

The content in this video is important, many people who want to confirm their biases won't look deeper into the content. People that will watch it already most likely will enjoy the content no matter the thumbnail

[@El-ng7mb]

It was funny to imagine you going mike tyson on jay brewer 😂

[@Snake_Therapy]

😂 I know.. I'm going to Animal Con next weekend, and I'm probably going to see him. I'll have to do some meditations and breathing exercises so that I don't bite him. 😂😂😂

[@El-ng7mb]

Godspeed with you on that 🙏 I would also join in on the biting LOL ​@@Snake_Therapy

[@pugswf]

Yes, please do a video about being bitten. I recently bought my first pet snake (ball python) and am nervous about a possible bite.

[@Snake_Therapy]

Will do! Thank you!

[@Snake_Therapy]

Also, Since that will take me a bit to make, I will say this to support you right now: Try not to be nervous. Snakes are very sensitive animals, and they can tell when you're nervous, which makes THEM nervous. So the best thing you can do before anything else is to observe them and their body language, and take some deep calming breaths BEFORE interacting with them. Then approach them slowly but confidently, gently touch their bodies first before picking them up, and always avoid coming at them from above. I'll get to that video as soon as I can to help more! Also, a bite from a ball python will be a lot less scary than you think. To be honest, it'll be over before you realize it happened, and the damage will be less than any cat scratch or bite from any other pet! It may happen, but you don't need to be afraid. Keeping snakes means that it is likely it will happen at SOME point. But try not to focus on the fear. 💗

[@JenWOneNnifer]

Bob Bledsoe of Green Room Pythons has done a python specific video that (despite its clickbait thumbnail) is informative and shows what it looks like, describes how it feels, and demonstrates how to get them to let go if they are in food mode and they hang on. The video was called "What Does a Python Bite Feel Like?" Also, good advice he doesn't cover IIRC is to remember not to jerk away if they do bite. As long as you stay calm, the teeth of most small to medium pythons won't do much more than prick you (with rare exceptions). But if you yank your hand/arm away while they're biting, you could do more damage to your skin and/or hurt the snake.

[@pooaxx]

Why haven’t I found your channel before now? This is exactly what I also think.

[@Snake_Therapy]

:) Welcome!

[@Snake_Therapy]

Probably because I'm not using clickbait 😂

[@JenWOneNnifer]

There are good snake bite videos and bad ones. How not to get bitten, or how to be bitten safely? Good. Incidental bites from harmless snakes in the field or nervous hatchlings, where the handler doesn't overreact? Good. Keepers who get bitten and explain what they did wrong? Good. But as soon as they stick a clickbait thumbnail on there, they've undermined their positive messages. It's counter productive. Case in point, Bob of Green Room Pythons did a non-sensational video in which he allowed himself to be bitten by his pythons (predictable food response bites, not antagonized) showing the bites are not scary. His content is generally calm and positive, and he regularly recommends target training and learning to read snake behavior. He even does a fair bit of work to help people overcome their fears. But he sometimes uses clickbait thumbnails that - while not as over-the-top as most - could still be sending the wrong message to anyone who sees them without watching the video.

[@Snake_Therapy]

@@JenWOneNnifer 💯 with you.

[@darcieclements4880]

Yes I rather like the ones where a person's just handling the animal and they're not paying attention and they end up with the bite and they're like oh my bad and then they just keep going like nothing happened because it is basically like nothing happened.

[@Snake_Therapy]

@darieclements4880 exactly- there are ways we can talk about the subject without it being inflammatory or sensational.

[@MelissaJon]

I get what you are saying but the video could have been done in a more constructive way for our hobby. I would like to say constructively that the video description "Turning a "Mean" snake into a puppy dog" bothers me for the same reason. I know that the word mean should really be defensive but people we are trying to educate might not. If you hold yourself to the same standards you do others it should be something more like "turn a scared snake into a puppy dog".

[@Snake_Therapy]

The quotations around the word "mean" were supposed to show it as sarcasm, because no snake is mean, but people call blue beauties and other snakes "mean" or aggressive all the time. Everything I talk about and do is to hold to these standards. Constructive includes identifying issues and talking about why they are problems and how we could be better. That's what this video was.

[@blueboltshrimp]

I understand the sentiment you're trying to convey, but disagree with some of the execution of it. The people you're wary of--those who have prejudices about snakes who have no interest in changing their minds--will simply find "research" that backs up their ideas. As a person who fits into a minory that some lawmakers would like to genocide--I do what I can in my space, and push for legislation that have a higher chance of listening. Talking about individual people on the internet won't enact systemic change

[@Snake_Therapy]

Voicing my thoughts and opinions about issues and using examples on my video is my prerogative, and is "doing what I can in my space". I also spend a lot of time in real life helping people get over their fears of snakes through educational and therapeutic interactions, and have changed a lot of minds that way. I'm not sure why you would suggest I not talk about something I'm passionate about on my own channel. Staying quiet about things we believe in doesn't help anyone either. Believe it or not, there are people who will take this information in and at least think about it a little bit differently than they did before, and also some people who feel the same way that appreciated it being talked about. Plenty who did not, and that's just how it goes. But those who felt validated by someone talking about it is, in my book, doing something good. Making people think is doing good- even if they disagree. There's no way to go to the "higher ups" on bias against snakes- we have to work as we can where we can. This is a call to action. I can't do it by myself, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't do anything.

[@tammymc37]

What a great point to make! I hate when any animal is vilified!

[@Snake_Therapy]

Thanks so much, Tammy! Meeee toooooo

[@wescollins]

The video was excellent, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I dislike clickbait, especially when it portrays an already stigmatized creature in a negative light.

[@Snake_Therapy]

Thank you, Wes!

[@LoriTorrini]

Exactly.

[@Snake_Therapy]

@@LoriTorrini thanks for watching, Lori!

[@reptilestamed]

As a person who prides themselves on having kiss-tame animals, I approve these messages. subbed.

[@Snake_Therapy]

😂😊 Woohoo! Yay for snuggable snakes!

[@Janeway1269]

THANK you for making this video! You put out an important message that is way overdue, especially to some of the truly popular content creators who many would deem amateur experts in herp keeping. Your example thumbnails were a fantastic way to send that message to the hobby, and the public at large. Unfortunately to get algorithims to pick it up you would still need "bite" in the thumbnail title somewhere, but the pictures you suggest are SO much better!!! We need more compassionate keepers. I dare say women are leading the way in this regard, though credit goes to the guys behind Animals at Home and Reptiles and Research and the like. And I'm SO SO Sorry anyone said they would take a shovel to one of your beloved snakes.

[@Snake_Therapy]

Thank you so much for watching and for understanding where I'm coming from. There are OTHER WAYS we can address snake bites that don't vilify the animal in the process. Although I hate to make negative content, I tried very hard to ensure that I presented alternatives- and to pose the question: How can we do better? And it was so horrifying to hear that person say what they said about Elora, but my response to that was "I'm sorry you are hurting so much in yourself that you would make say such a cruel thing about another living creature. I hope you can come to the understanding that all beings deserve life and respect." I think that's the only way to deal with that kind of vitriol... even if lands on deaf ears.

[@obryan240]

You've earned a new subscriber.

[@Snake_Therapy]

Yay! Welcome to the fam! 💗

[@lizardman6515]

Holyyyyyy - this video goes hard!!! 🔥🔥🔥 No animals need vilification, but snakes are up there with those suffering the MOST from its effects, and I see NO justification for some of the biggest snake 'educators' and creators sensationalizing bites and other aspects of snake behavior like this. I was absolutely dying of laughter with each thumbnail you put up, because I've seen a lot of those vids, and in retrospect, those creators really are just making fools of themselves by playing into the dumb trends like they do. I truly believe that changes can be made, because many of these creators really do love and appreciate snakes for their true sweet and fascinating nature, and they present constructive content. It's just a matter of crafting better ways to creatively draw viewers in and continue delivering subject matter that educates, uplifts, and fosters love and support for our scaly friends ❤️❤️❤️🐍 snakes DESPERATELY need our help. They definitely don't need any more vilification or false representation. Thank you for putting this argument out there. I think that creators who truly have the animals' best interest in mind will respond humbly and consider better ways of doing things. Like I said, many (definitely not all) of these creators do care about the animals. The majority of the world view snakes in a negative light, mostly due to lack of knowledge and experience. Anything that can be done to mend this is so crucial.

[@Snake_Therapy]

Exactly my points! Thank you.

[@lizardman6515]

You're so welcome 🩵 there must be something to this -- if how you feel about it aligns so closely with how I feel, and we come from two different walks of life with different sets of experiences and different introductions into the world of snakes, well then there must be some good weight to these arguments 😊🐍

[@CKDupuis-l4b]

This is part of the problem

[@Paula-sw2tt]

Just found your channel and subscribed. I have been keeping snakes for over fifty years. I agree with every single bite that I have received has always been my fault. I now own a male anaconda morph hognose snake that is the sweetest calmest snake that I have ever kept. I grew up being around wild snakes and handled them often as a kid, along with lizards and trantulas. I was never bitten by a wild snake or trantula. I currently have a Mexican Red Knee and a Brazilian Black trantula. And some New Caladonian geckos and a Tailless Whip Scorpion. I love reptiles and the creepy crawlies. The channel that I have been enjoying the most is Intrepid Exotics, because like your channel, he respects his animals. I was very upset when the media was talking about the tipan bite incident and showed a picture of a bp. Shame on them!

[@Snake_Therapy]

@@Paula-sw2tt welcome!! Thank you for sharing your story 💕 I actually just discovered his channel, and I appreciate his honesty and compassionate, thoughtful outlook. I’m so glad you’re here, thank you for watching and commenting!

[@sethputrelo3748]

Love this video! Thank you for making it. ☺

[@Snake_Therapy]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@pooaxx]

I like the content of many of those channels. But yes, I dislike the headlines they use.

[@Snake_Therapy]

I wish it were only about the content! It's such a bummer that good content can be undermined by sensationalism. As I said, I learned so much from Snake Discovery, and even the content of that particular video I referenced wasn't a bad thing to put out! It's just so crucial for us all to think a little harder about how we can do *better* to increase the positive image of Snakes and herpetoculture in the public eye. Thanks so much for watching and for chiming in!

[@kleepo7733]

At the end of the day it comes down to money. The more clicks the more money they make off of KZbin. They could care less about snakes really. This is the same situation you have with the python problem in Florida where a lot of those people catching the pythons actually bring it with them to make it look like they catch the pythons. I should know I've seen it happen with my own eyes.

[@Snake_Therapy]

They really do that?! Bring the pythons with them?? That's insane. Oof. that whole situation is so bad. I will say that, as I am now learning myself, there isn't a direct correlation to *clicks* and payouts from youtube (not as far as I can tell- I only just got "monetized" myself- and there are zero payouts for clicks/views. I haven't made a penny!), however, the more people that watch, the more they make off of ads, sponsorships and affiliates, superthanks, patrons, and merch. But yes, it's the money, and I think, the Name/Fame game.

[@snakemannn1744]

You are appreciated ,,,,,, Huggsssssssssssssssssssssssssssss '

[@Snake_Therapy]

Thank you!!

[@whitelighter62]

❤❤

[@Snake_Therapy]

Thank you for watching 😊

[@jacksah78]

You’re badass I love it

[@Snake_Therapy]

@@jacksah78 hey thanks!

[@goblinhammer8335]

Reasons why I hated the crocodile hunter.

[@darcieclements4880]

It's not good to evaluate people from the past based on today's standards. Steve Irwin did a huge amount of work bridging the gap between people's misconceptions and reality but he was a pretty special fella. Before Steve people didn't even look at reptiles as individual species. It was a huge amount of fear and not caring. He intentionally made them cool for young kids to try and drum up more scientific interest and he was successful at that. His son is now doing the next step of showing these animals aren't actually scary or aggressive at all by keeping the animals in a calm state whike producing content. I even saw a recent one where he had an animal that was perfectly calm and then he showed how you can trigger them to look flashy and then turn them back to calm again to illustrate that it is all about the person and not the animal. Steve was starting to produce that type of content when he met an unfortunate fate, so he would probably be in agreement with the new approach if he were still here today.

[@goblinhammer8335]

😮‍💨

[@kiki29073]

@@darcieclements4880If it wasn't for for Steve Irwin most of the reptiles in Oz would be extinct and around the world too. He brought his love of reptiles to the mainstream population and many wouldn't be involved without him.

[@darthmarvin247]

Steve Irwin did more for the conservation of reptiles and other misunderstood creatures than any other person in this planet. Yes, he did stress out the animals he interacted with (and he always stressed that if he got bit it was his fault, not the animal's), but that is a typical day out in the wild for them. In exchange for that he ignited the love for such animals that is needed to fuel conservation efforts. There's a reason half the reptile youtubers out there have a pet named Steve.

[@kiki29073]

@@darthmarvin247 People need to remember that according to science humans are also animals and have to make places for our own habitat and we also get aggravated by other animal species that come into what we consider our own environment.

[@stefanostokatlidis4861]

Probably content creators that sensationalise snake bites aren’t worthwhile creators after all. I don’t know much about Snake Discovery recently, because I’m not watching them as much. They seem to have turned their targeting to children more. Yes, some popular herpers are bad, but there are others who are good. Sometimes bites might happen to them, but they don’t make a sensation out of it. I noticed that if you choose your channels correctly, the algorithm stops recommending you this stuff.

[@Snake_Therapy]

The video isn't about the creators themselves, but the messages they are promoting. And although you can work with the algorithm, that message/these images are being seen by millions of people, regardless. Even worse, people who don't already know the truth about snakes are seeing them. So the point is: let's talk about what we need to, and present it *in a better way* so that these animals are not villainized any more than they are already, and herpetoculture is portrayed in a better light. Education, not sensationalism for the sake of views.

[@stefanostokatlidis4861]

@@Snake_Therapy I understand what you’re saying, but we can do our small part by not promoting those creators with the problematic presentations. Sadly, sensational content in every domain becomes viral and snakes have something extra to them,. I don’t have any realistic solution for this. Even if we point out that this isn’t how those animals really act, will the broader audience listen? Some people call me defeatist, but I can’t find any solution to this. People are going to be the same forever, especially regarding snakes.

[@Snake_Therapy]

@@stefanostokatlidis4861 one step at a time- and forward, not backward. We won’t win everyone over, but things have been changing, and I’ve seen that with my own eyes through the work I’m doing. So better to work at it than not, right?

[@Snake_Therapy]

@@stefanostokatlidis4861 and I agree- not promoting those creators is good, but asking them to change their ways could possibly be better. I have to hope.

[@jennip605]

I'm disgusted by Adam at Wickeds world... he's all into people murdering the Burmese Pythons in Florida. Please don't feel Any type of way if he tries to hurt Your feelings. I Love what you do! My little guy always cones to me. I never just reach in and grab him out. ❤

[@Snake_Therapy]

@@jennip605 💕🐍💕 thank you for your kindness. It means the world.

[@jennip605]

@JustAStump I know what happens to the beautiful critters...humans go in and kill them. And the ONLY time they're regulated and made to be "humanely " euthanized, is for 1 week in August. The other 355 days of the year, God only knows how the Burms are killed, even tortured. You don't need a hunting license or any permits to be able to lawfully hurt or kill them. Yes, I know that raccoons and possums are being killed, and that's tragic, and foxes, but I don't think people really care about them. I think people who want to kill, are able to kill, and people that Don't have the need to kill, won't kill, these gorgeous animals. I do t even want to imagine what's happening to them at any given day, at any given time. Animals Always pay the ultimate price for human mistakes

[@freedomospeech8180]

To me, clickbait is epitomized by false advertising. I find it infuriating when someone uses a misleading image, such as a brightly colored snake, and makes a sensational claim, like 'look what I produced.' Only after watching the entire content do I discover that it was all a ruse to entice clicks. I despise clickbait myself, as it erodes trust and leads me to dismiss content outright, thinking to myself, 'just another clickbait attempt.' I'll scroll past it without giving it a chance. However, regarding your criticism of certain individuals, I don't believe they've caused any genuine harm to the animals. On the contrary, I think they're only hurting themselves. When I encounter clickbait titles, I scroll right past the content, feeling that it's unwarranted and unnecessary for learning about these incredible animals.

[@Snake_Therapy]

@@freedomospeech8180 well put!

[@tracietownsend7880]

❤❤

[@Snake_Therapy]

Thank you for watching! 💞