We had a prairie dog for a couple years. The thing got out of the house, we were right there. A hawk came swooping down and snatched him right up and ... up, up, and away he went! Never saw him again. (I never did like that rodent anyway).
Then we had an iguana. That was a fun pet, but a lot of work. We taught it to walk on a leash. I'd attach it to a fishing pole line and let him run. It worked very well. All was well, until one day the cat decided to play with it. The cat had claws and one of the claws pierced the iguana's skin and the thing deflated like balloon that leaked all it's air out. It was the strangest thing I'd ever seen. I did like it. It was a fun pet.
Then we also had a pet chicken. Now she was a super-duper camping companion. She had personality! Rode with us on our bicycles, went swimming with us, went for hikes, rode on my shoulder, ate everything from worms to ice cream. Her favorite was mashed potaoes. My daughter originally got her for 4-H. The bird made it all the way to the State Fair and won 4th place in her division. She was a real sweetheart. I think I cried 2 weeks straight after she died. I still miss her.
But, NO snakes. Um ... no-thank-you either!