Is there a relationship between a pet owner's personality and the species of the pet?

I think it is basic human psychology. Different people/personality types like certain things. Not to stir up a debate on human tendencies, but men do tend towards reptiles, for one I think their is a "macho" thing with it, "I'm cool", or whatever you want to call it. But that will normally where off after a while. There is also something intellectual about it, which is what you see with dedicated reptile keepers who have allot of animals/species. It is a thinking persons animal, allot of studying, figuring out the best way to do things to keep the animal healthy. And the same could be said of fish, having to monitor the environment for the health of the animals, creating a mini version of the natural environment, same concept as with a reptile. If you go on to any of the chondro dedicated boards, and ETB dedicated boards, there are allot of guys who also keep fish, especially complex saltwater tanks. It goes towards the old jokes about men always wanting to tinker and fix things, these animals lend themselves to that.

Women tend towards animals with more of an emotional connection. My mother is a "crazy cat lady". Well, not THAT bad, but, you get the idea. I really have NEVER lived in a place without a cat. In almost 40 years. I blame her.

I am certainly not saying this is a clear cut thing, I know many women who are very good and dedicated snake keepers/breeders. And I would qualify in the "intellectual" reptile/fish category, but I also like cats, so... It is definitely dependent on the actual person.