Just a little advice for people
- Thread starter Jessica Dring
- Start date
_Sushi_;1244858; said:
People seem to be missing the point here.
Let me try and use and exaggerated example so maybe yoo'se can understand.
Crocs. Not experienced with 'em? Due to their reptuation or DISPOSITION I should have said, you wouldn't go about catching one alone now would you (knowing their strength/size or not).
I've already said each animal is different, TBH it's the first thing I learnt through handling them, and probably alot of peoples.
But to some degree, you need to act upon/go by the animals reputation for mere safety measures, without even adding to the fact if your not experienced with that particular species!
Watch TV And you'll see what I mean. Considered aggressive snakes, presenters and wildlife experts such as Steve Irwin will approach that snake accordingly, for safety to the animal AND him. Yes the odd one can and WILL be found that is docile, I've seen him handle rattlesnakes freehand with only a tiny bit of rattleing but no striking. He still has to approach that snake as if it would be aggressive, because as a species they generally are quick to strike after rattleing (this is considered aggressive).
Of course we can use the opposite. Corn snakes. There are generally docile snakes which last resort is biting if really provoked. But no one argues with them not deserving their rep do they?
There are species more than others that are generally more aggressive/defensive and who ever denies that really is either stupid or needs to go and experience abit more.
Yes some animals don't deserve their reputations but we would be in denial if we said as a whole, some species aren't more aggressive AND defensive than others, and it ONLY DEPENDS on the animal. Yes it does, and benefit of the doubt should be given, but it doesn't only depend on the animal. You have more chance of picking up a wild corn snake without getting bitten than, say, a baby retic
See what I mean now?As for the iguanas. When their tame their tame, when their not you know about it. However some people don't have a problem going into the cage to clean up etc as the iggy don't mind, I have aa problem opening the door to feed mine. It may also be worth thinking about the rep iggys have through breeding season/when their female owners are menstruating. This is a reputation as it is well known of them to do so. I went into it KNOWING THE FACTS AND REPUTATION so I could be aware and make sure of my safety during this time, whilst still giving benefit of the doubt and guess what? In my 2/3 yrs of owning my female, I've NEVER experienced any of this type of aggression.
We are not talking about how each animal is different here, we're talking by the general majority. And TBQH in times where my safety is at risk, I would rather follow the reputation and give benefit of the doubt still that just ay 'Each animal is different' as I'm sure you would
I agree with Jessica. True, every individual animal can display a different personality, but there are some reptile stereotypes that are fairly accurate....more examples:
Tokay geckos: I think we can all agree that 90% of the time they're nasty little monsters. I have a buddy who can occasionally tame his down for a few minutes, but even he'll tell you they're not handeable.
Of course, other "meanies" are: crocodilians, Columbian tegus, Amazon tree boas and possibly African rock pythons. If you go out and ask a dozen people who have all owned Columbian tegus, at least 2 out of 3 would tell you that they're not tame animals. Exceptions exist but they are exactly that...exceptions.
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Now on the flip side, I've had people tell me that ball pythons are the meanest snake you can get. Of course, we all know this as baloney. When I ask these people how many ball pythons they've dealt with, the answer is usually one, or none and they just heard that from someone else. Not much experience there backing up their claim.
Another example is when I was a kid and at the flea market, a dachsund ran up out of nowhere and bit my ankle. At that time, this was the first experience I'd had with that breed. Should I have made the assumption that all dachsunds are mean? Ironically, our family currently has three.
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I suppose my point is that whenever you hear an opinion of a species' reputation, of course you should question it. Just ask people who actually would know, who have actually kept that species.
Tokay geckos: I think we can all agree that 90% of the time they're nasty little monsters. I have a buddy who can occasionally tame his down for a few minutes, but even he'll tell you they're not handeable.
Of course, other "meanies" are: crocodilians, Columbian tegus, Amazon tree boas and possibly African rock pythons. If you go out and ask a dozen people who have all owned Columbian tegus, at least 2 out of 3 would tell you that they're not tame animals. Exceptions exist but they are exactly that...exceptions.
-----------------------
Now on the flip side, I've had people tell me that ball pythons are the meanest snake you can get. Of course, we all know this as baloney. When I ask these people how many ball pythons they've dealt with, the answer is usually one, or none and they just heard that from someone else. Not much experience there backing up their claim.
Another example is when I was a kid and at the flea market, a dachsund ran up out of nowhere and bit my ankle. At that time, this was the first experience I'd had with that breed. Should I have made the assumption that all dachsunds are mean? Ironically, our family currently has three.
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I suppose my point is that whenever you hear an opinion of a species' reputation, of course you should question it. Just ask people who actually would know, who have actually kept that species.
I agree with Jessica. True, every individual animal can display a different personality, but there are some reptile stereotypes that are fairly accurate....more examples:
Tokay geckos: I think we can all agree that 90% of the time they're nasty little monsters. I have a buddy who can occasionally tame his down for a few minutes, but even he'll tell you they're not handeable.
Of course, other "meanies" are: crocodilians, Columbian tegus, Amazon tree boas and possibly African rock pythons. If you go out and ask a dozen people who have all owned Columbian tegus, at least 2 out of 3 would tell you that they're not tame animals. Exceptions exist but they are exactly that...exceptions.
-----------------------
Now on the flip side, I've had people tell me that ball pythons are the meanest snake you can get. Of course, we all know this as baloney. When I ask these people how many ball pythons they've dealt with, the answer is usually one, or none and they just heard that from someone else. Not much experience there backing up their claim.
EDIT: Sorry...somehow this got posted twice....can a Mod delete this second post?
Another example is when I was a kid and at the flea market, a dachsund ran up out of nowhere and bit my ankle. At that time, this was the first experience I'd had with that breed. Should I have made the assumption that all dachsunds are mean? Ironically, our family currently has three.
-------------------------
I suppose my point is that whenever you hear an opinion of a species' reputation, of course you should question it. Just ask people who actually would know, who have actually kept that species.
Tokay geckos: I think we can all agree that 90% of the time they're nasty little monsters. I have a buddy who can occasionally tame his down for a few minutes, but even he'll tell you they're not handeable.
Of course, other "meanies" are: crocodilians, Columbian tegus, Amazon tree boas and possibly African rock pythons. If you go out and ask a dozen people who have all owned Columbian tegus, at least 2 out of 3 would tell you that they're not tame animals. Exceptions exist but they are exactly that...exceptions.
-----------------------
Now on the flip side, I've had people tell me that ball pythons are the meanest snake you can get. Of course, we all know this as baloney. When I ask these people how many ball pythons they've dealt with, the answer is usually one, or none and they just heard that from someone else. Not much experience there backing up their claim.
EDIT: Sorry...somehow this got posted twice....can a Mod delete this second post?
Another example is when I was a kid and at the flea market, a dachsund ran up out of nowhere and bit my ankle. At that time, this was the first experience I'd had with that breed. Should I have made the assumption that all dachsunds are mean? Ironically, our family currently has three.
-------------------------
I suppose my point is that whenever you hear an opinion of a species' reputation, of course you should question it. Just ask people who actually would know, who have actually kept that species.
Whilst on the subject, one I've always wondered about is Retics. Are they *generally* what theyre made out to be? My bf had a large one that was nasty, but I'm not sure if he had tamed/tried to or not.
Jessica Dring;1245266; said:
The only ones I've personally experienced have been young ones under 24" and most of these individuals have been nervous, but not as snappy as many make them out to be (i.e. not vicious demons that strike at everything that moves). They tamed down fairly well with regular handling. The only other one I dealt with was a 8 footer that was sick and I rescued him and nursed him back to health. He never gave me any trouble, but maybe he was just to sick to bother (shrugs).
I'm sure there's some more experienced folks on here that could give better insight, but IMO, retics are one of those snakes with very variable personalities, just like burms. I've seen some absolute monsters and I've seen some that were puppy dogs. I think most of it is how much time you spend with them.
Well there is still HUGE amount of wild-caught retics. Just as balls, bloods, rocks, and burms. People tend to stick to the old stereotype. Not too long ago almost all were WC, and therefore aggresive. Youd be aggresive if you had predators out to get you, right?
Now, the CB ones are angels. Its not amount of time you spend with them, its quality of it. A snake will DESPISE you if you have it out for hours holding it. I usually take my snakes out for about 15 minutes at a time WHEN THEY ARE IN A GOOD MOOD, and let them explore. Snakes hate hate hate being restrained, they will be much more comofrtable allowed to stretch. Some snakes, when comfortable enough, will find a spot on or under you to hide and sleep. IMO, the ultimate confirmation your snake is tame. And I dont mean dashing to the nearest dark space, that just proves your snake is scared.
Hope that helps!
Now, the CB ones are angels. Its not amount of time you spend with them, its quality of it. A snake will DESPISE you if you have it out for hours holding it. I usually take my snakes out for about 15 minutes at a time WHEN THEY ARE IN A GOOD MOOD, and let them explore. Snakes hate hate hate being restrained, they will be much more comofrtable allowed to stretch. Some snakes, when comfortable enough, will find a spot on or under you to hide and sleep. IMO, the ultimate confirmation your snake is tame. And I dont mean dashing to the nearest dark space, that just proves your snake is scared.
Hope that helps!
loconorc;1245501; said:
This ain't exactly true. Maybe its different for different species or different individuals I don't know as I don't have more than one of each species. I know my royal LOVES being out, it's active (whilst not being scared) and *seems* to enjoy the excersise/new smells (I sound like such a dog owner
) but I'm sure other snake owners will know what I mean. Saying that, my boa HATES being out. My corn HATES being held and has always been shifty and although he doesnt bite he trys to get away. My little kingsnake seems to enjoy being out (as far as enjoyment for a snake goes). I know leopard geckos don't particularly like being held but more put up with it. When my iguana was tame, she HATED being held but would sit on my shoulders/head (LOL - it almost crippled me) for hours at a time, and would slump on the bed next to me. Could be interesting to know about Thanks for the comments on the retics, would like as many as possible please
loconorc, don't start beating that dead horse now. BTW, I did read the whole thread. I hate it when people decide to only read the last page and jump in. How the heck are you supposed to know what's going on?
I was saying that you can't always trust reputations. Someone could say that animal X is particularly nasty, Someone else could say that same species is really friendly. So here you have 2 different opinions. Which do you go by? Do you automatically assume the worst because this is a new species you've never seen before?
Besides telling me not to beat a dead horse, this discussion seems to come back to one point. And that proverbial horse is sitting right on top of it.
I was saying that you can't always trust reputations. Someone could say that animal X is particularly nasty, Someone else could say that same species is really friendly. So here you have 2 different opinions. Which do you go by? Do you automatically assume the worst because this is a new species you've never seen before?
Besides telling me not to beat a dead horse, this discussion seems to come back to one point. And that proverbial horse is sitting right on top of it.
_Sushi_;1246466; said:
But we mentioned researching the animal and talking to several people experienced with more than one of these animals. Usually if you find two bits of conflicting advise, people go and research it more..
