how you know when your an expert.....

[Laurier]

hi,

i have another issue that i wouldn't mind discussing. There are people in the reptile industry that call themselfs "experts" but what is an expert?

to me an expert is someone who has successfully keep different species of the reptile/amphibian that they work with. the keeper was able to keep different species that come from different enviroments with no problems. They have also successfully bred most of there species and was able successfully raise the offspring with no difficulties. An expert can also admit that they do not know everything when it comes to the type of reptile that they keep, this part alot of people have problems admitting. But there is always information that will be new to you.

personally people think i am an experienced keeper when it comes to dart frogs, but i keep the species that are like as easy as keeping leopard geckos compaired to some other species. but i think i am a novice keeper because all i have in knowledge and experienc with keeping my frogs.

see to me if you think your an expert in keeping reptiles (as in most) you should be able to acquire something new that would be a challange to most people and keep it with no problems. With this fact there are very few people who would be considered a expert in reptiles.

to conclude i will have to say that if your going to classify yourself most people who classify themselfs as a experienced or interdediate keeper. but personally i believe that most people are intermediate keepers.

Laurier

[mice4you]

I think that there are many experts out there however, most experts are to humble to state that they are an expert.

There are many knowledged individuals in this hobby that may be an expert in one area.

I have to agree with your explanation of an expert. I also feel that an expert comes with many, many years in this hobby. I would classify people such as Roy Stockwell and Grant Ankenman as experts (even though they would not). These individuals have always provided me (and I'm sure most of us) with proper information that has helped us better maintain our animals. When they do not know the answer, they are quick to state so and not just make something up.

[Nicky]

I totally agree an expert can't know everything I'm a novice keeper with corns I can't be an expert because I don't breed them and I have not had them long enough to obtain that status
but many out there our experts

[Canadaherp]

At least my momy says i a... uts people like laurier mentioned they go off callign themselves an expert for doing the same 1000000 other people have done, the only difference is they have some way of announcing it to the world, me i keep a few delicate species, but still i dont consider myself near an expert level!

[Jaylyn]

Well ... I think it would be almost impossible for someone to call themselves a reptile/amphibian expert. There are way too many species with way too many different needs. Knowledgable - certainly - but reptile keeping is part science and part art. Take chameleons (guess what's my fav???) for instance. You can research yourself to death (which I do) - but you have "to become one with the chameleon" (which I'm working on) to truly give expert care. I think that would apply with all species. And that takes alot of time (years) and energy. While I'm sure younger people can be excellent keepers - I think the years of experience are necessary to fine tune those skills.

Raising a species, sucessfully breeding them and raising the neonates to adulthood could be used as a description of expertise. Or keeping several individuals of a species for their entire lifespan.

Experts have had the time to go through the difficult parts of reptile keeping (the diseases, reproduction, aging, neonates, etc.); have had the time to learn from their mistakes and have had the time to learn from others mistakes. And they never stop learning and questioning.

I don't think it is a good idea that so many classify themselves as 'experts' - it can lead to people trusting advice that isn't warranted. I do agree with Laurier in saying that many of those that classify themselves as experts are probably intermediate (and there is absolutely nothing wrong with being novice, intermediate or expert - but wrong to present yourself in a false way).

JMHO

Jaylyn

[lance]

but could you not be an expert on one species like panthers or corns or darts and still say your an expert but have no knowledgeof any other species
dont get me wrong im far from sayin im an expert on anything but could you not be one on one and not all
well thats my 2 cents for the night
good bye all Lance

[Quervo]

It's been my experience that a lot of people who say they are experts ... aren't.

EXPERT .. EX-SPERT

X being the unknown and SPERT being a drip under pressure.
:D

[reverendsterlin]

even with a claim of expert are using as broad a definition as it seems to others. I caught my first snake (a nasty tempered coachwhip) 35 years ago and she lived for 7 years, since that time Bcc, Bco, Bci, corns, kings, Crots, several lizards native to the SW, ect... Expert? no, but I can do pundits for quad hets and had very good sucess breeding most things I aquired pairs in, I've lost animals too. In many areas I feel qualified to give answers or advice. If you think about it someone called a computer expert may be expert in hardware, software, IT, design, ect, but probably not all, a vet may be best with livestock, reptiles, exotics, dogs, or cats but probably not all. Just a little food for thought :)
Sterling

[Laurier]

ya,

i agree with lance, you can be an expert keeper of a single species, like someone who specialized in ball pythons, and knows most the information and has been successful in breeding and creating the morphs (or what ever you call it in snakes). But i was mainly getting at the point of people who call themselfs experts in all reptiles.

Laurier

[Canadaherp]

well if i'm prolly the onlyone who does pay any attention do my Takies and work on astering their care and breeding, am i an expert? hehe if i'm pretty well the only one out there?

[crimsonking]

In my limited experience,there can be expert keepers,expert breeders,expert hobbyists,scientists,liars, and thieves. (among a host of others) The ones who call themselves experts seldom are. The ones who are recognized by others may be.We should all be experts at determining which is which. At any rate, I'm not overly concerned. Enjoy the hobby!Mark