Roommate Sparks Controversy by Insisting on Bringing Pet Snake on Road Trip

A 28-year-old woman refused to let her roommate bring a pet snake named Slytherin on a road trip, and somehow that simple “no” turned into an apartment war. Sarah, 26, had already promised the snake would stay in her room, so OP agreed to share space with her. But now the trip is coming, and Sarah wants the snake in the car, in close quarters, with everyone stuck together for hours.

OP says she has a paralyzing fear of snakes that goes back to a childhood incident, so this is not a quirky preference, it is pure anxiety. Sarah, meanwhile, is framing the whole thing like OP is attacking her life, throwing guilt around and then going cold with snide remarks when OP holds the line.

Now OP is stuck choosing between her fear and Sarah’s attachment to Slytherin, and the tension is getting louder by the mile.

Original Post

I (28F) share an apartment with my roommate, Sarah (26F), who has a pet snake named Slytherin. Sarah recently asked if she could bring Slytherin on our upcoming road trip to visit some friends.

I have a paralyzing fear of snakes since a childhood incident. For context, Sarah had assured me she would never bring Slytherin out of her room, so I agreed to live with her even though I knew about the snake.

I've been respectful of her pet boundary, but I wasn't comfortable with Slytherin being in such close quarters during a road trip. I told Sarah no, explaining my fear.

Sarah got upset, claiming I was being unreasonable and that Slytherin was part of her life. She accused me of neglecting her feelings and needs as if I didn't matter.

I felt guilty at first, but I stood my ground, emphasizing my anxiety around snakes. Now, Sarah is cold towards me, making snide remarks about how I'm overreacting and need to face my fears.

I feel trapped in a situation where I'm being made to choose between my fear and Sarah's attachment to her pet. So, AITA?

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Like the road-trip argument, would you be wrong to refuse your friend’s pet snake?

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Sarah’s promise that Slytherin would stay in her room is the only reason OP even said yes to living together in the first place.

The moment OP says “no” to having Slytherin on the road trip, Sarah flips it into a fight about feelings and “needs.”

When Sarah starts making snide remarks and gives OP the cold treatment, the road trip stops being about logistics and becomes about control.

By the time OP feels trapped between anxiety and Sarah’s attachment to Slytherin, the real controversy is who gets to set the rules.

We'd love to hear your take on this situation. Share your thoughts below.

Nobody should have to ride for hours with a snake they fear, especially when the roommate already broke the deal.

For the snake-care standoff, see why someone refused their partner’s pet snake.