When I was a little girl, I used to go stay at a cousins house in Bellambi, NSW. There's all these houses there that back onto (or used to) a beach, and some nature reserve. I got hooked on reptiles there, when me, being the tomboy I am, used to catch the big skinks with my boy cousins.
We used to have competitions (not so nice for the reptiles, but it sure made us happy-small minds an all that) the aim of the comp was to stand with your left arm out in front of you, and make the lizard bite it (yes I said BITE it). You latched the lizard on, and it was the last person with a lizard still on their arm who won. I was the undefeated (EVER) champion.
I got lots of cred coz I was a girl, but it gave me a love for all things reptile as we encountered not just the lizards, but snakes as well.
I have two lizard tattoos, one was designed for me by a friend, so I'm the only person in the world who has it (I'm just special hehehehe!).
I guess being called names coz you love reptiles is just part and parcel of it. Kids are usually the most receptive of any people especially when it comes to reptiles....so like someone else said- concentrate on those who do, rather than the negativity of those who don't.
In fact, you've inspired me. I'm gonna make some shirts now.