Pecto ball pythons and the ethics of keeping reptiles... etc

[elevatethis]

The nicest thing you can do for reptiles is to convince everyone NOT to buy them at all. Sounds crazy I know but really, it's the only way to solve the problem.

This is what I was referring to. How else was this meant to be interpreted?

 

[Ophiuchus]

This is what I was referring to. How else was this meant to be interpreted?

True that...it certainly does sounds a lot like you don't think we should keep them...which IMO, would be a pretty hypocritical statement.

 

[cichlaguapote]

This is what I was referring to. How else was this meant to be interpreted?

My confusion comes from how does a discussion of "farm raised" vs. "captive bred" come that answer.. Just as an onlooker I would think most people would rather have "captive bred" over "farm raised" anyways and charging more for different colors/patterns is pretty much the way everything is sold in a market. What is harder to get costs more money. I don't see how you can call b.s. on that.

Sounds like he's against captive breeding??? And yet a $29.00 "farm raised" ball is the same as a captive bred ball and it's "foolish to pay more"???

I'm just confused at how someone who was in the pet trade for so long could say that

Sure some animals get into the hands of owners who don't stick pet ownership out for the long haul. No one will argue that, but there are people who do keep animals for a long long time.

 

[elevatethis]

Ok...just made a post directed at the wrong person....lol

 

[Brooklynella]

This is what I was referring to. How else was this meant to be interpreted?

I wasn't referring to people who visit this site, I was talking about "People"; the general public. I can't believe you don't agree with my point. As a reptile lover, I'm surprised.

 

[cichlaguapote]

Ok...just made a post directed at the wrong person....lol

Try not to ***** me out...

Honestly though I am confused at how someone would say that it's foolish to spend more than $29.00 on a ball.. (no flaming.. seriously confused)

 

[Brooklynella]

My confusion comes from how does a discussion of "farm raised" vs. "captive bred" come that answer.. Just as an onlooker I would think most people would rather have "captive bred" over "farm raised" anyways and charging more for different colors/patterns is pretty much the way everything is sold in a market. What is harder to get costs more money. I don't see how you can call b.s. on that.

Sounds like he's against captive breeding??? And yet a $29.00 "farm raised" ball is the same as a captive bred ball and it's "foolish to pay more"???

I'm just confused at how someone who was in the pet trade for so long could say that

Sure some animals get into the hands of owners who don't stick pet ownership out for the long haul. No one will argue that, but there are people who do keep animals for a long long time.

Of course there are people in it for the long haul. My opinion is not directed at them.
To say some animals get into the wrong hands is an understatement. I would say the vast majority get in to the wrong hands.
Especially considering the volume of animals we're talking about.

I am against captive breeding in the scale it is today. Honestly i'm against it in a similar way i'm against puppy mills. Does that help clear it up? Surely we're in agreement that puppy mills are for the most part not a good thing?
I've seen lots & lots of trends and none of them turn out good for the animals in question. Baby chicks at Easter time, baby Berms (Finally illegal in NY), Piranah (Again, finally illegal in NY), baby turtles (Illegal but they found a way around it), Iguanas, Water dragons (Now bearded dragons), Basilisks (I think I spelled that wrong), Pit Bulls, Dalmations, baby king snakes, Ninja turtles, tea-cup poodles and a host of other trendy BS that always ends bad for the animals being bought by people who frankly, shouldn't own them.
All the while the breeders were there to fill the gaps. Why should I respect them? I mean, really-they see $$ and ignore the well being of the animals.
Confused? It gets worse...
Breeders serve a purpose to our hobby, no doubt. I support leaving wild animals alone and breeders fill that gap. I'm sure many breeders love reptiles and care quite a bit about them. We need to have breeders but I hate to see them crop up like construction companies in Florida after a hurricane.
I certainly see that it looks like i'm against breeding but in reality, I am not.
As for why this came up...I have no idea! It's a discussion forum, I figured this is what you do-talk about stuff. Ban me, move the thread, split the thread, lock the thread-do whatever needs to be done. It was not my intention to bring this place down.

 

[Brooklynella]

Try not to ***** me out...

Honestly though I am confused at how someone would say that it's foolish to spend more than $29.00 on a ball.. (no flaming.. seriously confused)

Because If you can buy a ball for $29, why would you pay $50?

 

[elevatethis]

I wasn't referring to people who visit this site, I was talking about "People"; the general public. I can't believe you don't agree with my point. As a reptile lover, I'm surprised.

I do agree that reptiles are mistreated and it is VERY sad to see what some people do to them.

BUT

The solution is not to tell people NOT to buy them. That's crazy. It also makes you look like a hypocrite because you keep lots of reptiles. The solution is to EDUCATE people. Use you knowledge and experience to help other people understand these often misunderstood animals.

Just one example, I bet that you'll see a lot less burmese pythons on CL looking for homes if the general public was actually aware of the size they can get. Same goes for Red-Eared Sliders, various Monitor species, etc...the fact of the matter is that people are going to "buy now, learn later" attitude...the best you can do it point these people in the right direction...

 

[Brooklynella]

I do agree that reptiles are mistreated and it is VERY sad to see what some people do to them.

BUT

The solution is not to tell people NOT to buy them. That's crazy. It also makes you look like a hypocrite because you keep lots of reptiles. The solution is to EDUCATE people. Use you knowlege and experience to help other people understand these often misunderstood animals.

Just one example, I bet that you'll see a lot less burmese pythons on CL looking for homes if the general public was actually aware of the size they can get. Same goes for Red-Eared Sliders, various Monitor species, etc...the fact of the matter is that people are going to "buy now, learn later" attitude...the best you can do it point these people in the right direction...

You could have simply responded this way in the first place rather than act apalled and shocked at what I said.
One thing I learned about internet forums from my time on a motorcycle related site is people take things very literally when you type stuff. A casual comment can easily go in a direction that it wasn't intended to go.

Education? Yeah, I agree. The problem is when Petco mails you a flier for a $29 Ball Python with a $5 off "Clip & save coupon". By that time, it's too late.
As for looking like a hypocrite, one day my son will come to me and say, "Dad, I want to buy a motorcycle".
I'll answer "NO".
"But why Dad, you have a motorcycle?"
"Because I don't want you to die".
"Dad, you're a hypocrite"
That's right son, and you're still alive.