The growth mindset that is intrinsic in questions and comments like this is counterproductive to the goals of the fediverse in my opinion.
The goal of federated services is not to be the biggest anything in the world. But instead to give places for people who actually care about the quality of The contents they interact with and that it was created by humans.
If that means that this part of the grand scheme of media stays small… So be it.
Our snake Ruby (12 foot, 80lbs, red-tail boa) has been to kindergartens, old folks homes, random family reunions, and about 100 pet stores. She has never wrapped herself around anyone, hissed, or done anything aggressive. It sounds like your friends with snakes don’t take very good care of them. Or they got troubled animals.