the problem with thinkpieces written about exotic animals is that I've never seen one from the perspective of someone who actually liked the animals. they're generally written with an eye towards making the animals seem as outré as possible, as though an iguana was some fucking alien from Kepler-435b. I get it. they're invasive. why are you not as worried about whirling disease and zebra mussels? because snakes make for scary headlines, and headlines sell.