Lets hear all them questions

[mudflats]

I am sure this had been done, but lets here 'em. All the pretty ignorant and soemtimes stupid comments or questions made by the non-herpin type. Reason for posting on this is i actually got asked two new questions that kick the notorius "Do they bite" quesiton out of the ball park. One i got asked the other day is: Doesnt it get tired of eating the same food every week ( refering to a large bcc). The other one was like a conversation. The women asked if i owned any poisonous snakes. ( that alone pissed me off). I replied no. I took out a juvenile ball python of mine, and she asked..Arnt you afraid to handle that snake,i asked why, and she said: Because its poisonous right? I almost freaked out. Well, lets here all your experiences with the folks not of this hobby. jon

[joey]

I get the poisonous question a lot.

One friend was suprised when she watched my corn swallow it's hopper because she thought it would 'chew it first". ??? I said, "you're joking, right? ..please tell me you're joking"
...she was dead serious.

oi.

[capsicum]

Top five would have to be:

"Can they bite?"
"Are pythons poisonous?"
"Do they rip apart their food, then chew it and swallow?"
"Where are their hands?"
"Can it eat my leftovers so I don't have to buy rats?"

Some people are seriously stupid, although I do understand the basic "Can they bite?" question (I always answer "Do they have a mouth? Then yes, they can bite!").

TK

[beanersmysav]

ha believe it or not i get that poison questions with my lizards all the time, same with the biting, but the question I hate the most although it may not be a question about related to care but bothers me when people ask it in disgust, "Why do you own so many lizards?" especially when it came from a woman who owned over 20 cats, now in my oppinion thats almost more disgusting than own 50 lizards let alone 14 especially since they're all properly cared for in proper cages and dont smell

[rwg]

Okay the "where are their hands" is a pretty stupid question, but the rest are reasonable from the POV of a non-herping public. I get "can/do they bite" and "is that a poisonous snake" all the time. I occasionally get asked if there are any vegetarian snakes they could get as pets. It sounds like a stupid question now, but I remember googling it when I first got into the hobby. I knew snakes in general were carnivores, but I was wondering if there were any exceptions. In a world where the platypus exists, anything is possible.

I still ask the "does it bite" question all the time. Some species/individuals do, and some dont. How I handle them may be different depending on the temperment.

rg

[rwg]

Oh, and the one that bugs me the most is "aren't all snakes poisonous?" No...there are no poisonous snakes. Some snakes are VENOMOUS, and some are not.

[CamHanna]

One that I get often is "Don't they get huge?", in reference to my ball or spotted pythons. It's a ridiculous question if you know anything about snakes but a justified concern if you don't.

The only people who really annoy are the ones who aren't satisfied with "I keep a few different ones" and make me rhyme off my entire list; of course they don't recognise any but the corn snake.

Oh, well

[Removed_2815]

Boy, most of the people to reply really need to get over themselves! People ask you legitimate questions and all you can do is "almost freak out" or undermine them with replies such as "you're joking right?" or accuse them of being "seriously stupid" and so on. I guarantee I can stump the lot of you with numerous zoological questions regarding various taxa that you would not even know where to begin to answer. Am I to assume that you are "stupid"? I am a biologist and I am sure a physicist wouldn't think I'm stupid because I don't know everything there is to know about quantum theory (I know a lot but would never be so conceded to claim that I know all).
Nice attempts at educating the "ignorant"... I would be ashamed to respond like that!
Ryan

[marisa]

I think all these "stupid questions" are a telling point in which areas the public needs the MOST snake education.....

Obviously pushing points such as not all snakes are venemous, not all get giant like the burmese and retic, and snakes are just aggresive.

Those are a few points that obviously need to be clarified over and over again to the public and non snake keepers, as it seems you all get asked the same questions.

Marisa

[mudflats]

I dont mind answering questions aswell as asking them time and time again. But you have got to draw the line somewhere. Questions like dont they get sick of eating the same food over and over again or is it poisonous over and over again by the same person is ignorant and funny in most cases. RMBolton how can you consider some of these ligitimate?

[joey]

Originally posted by RMBolton
Boy, most of the people to reply really need to get over themselves! People ask you legitimate questions and all you can do is "almost freak out" or undermine them with replies such as "you're joking right?" or accuse them of being "seriously stupid" and so on. Ryan

I for one was in no way suggesting that my friend was 'seriously stupid' and did not 'freak out' when she asked me her question---

-I just sort of took it for granted that everyone new the basics about snakes and was taken off guard when she asked me that.

It was educating for me.

[Vengeance]

RM considers these questions legitamate because they are legitamate. Non herp people don't need this information, so why would you expect them to know anything about these kinds of things? If the person owns a snake and is asking these questions I can understand why there might be some frustration but for John Q public, I get these questions all the time as well and I am more then happy to answer them because it helps educate them in the end and dispel some of the myths in the process. Half of the people asking these questions have most likely never even seen a snake in real life, let alone know anything about them. So why would the questions "Is it poisonous?" or "Doesn't it getreally big" be such a out in left feild question?

Think of it from the point of view of John Q punblic, the only kinds of snakes that usually make it into the media are the big ones and the venomus ones. So for the uninformed that is all they know about, and if they have no interest in the hobby, then why would they ever need any information to the contrary what the media gives them. To me these questions arn't stupid, just uninformed.

[Removed_2815]

Joey, you would be the one I quoted as saying "you're joking, right?", which everyone knows is a loosely veiled attempt at undermining someone's intelligence.

Mudflats, of course they are legitimate! All questions are legitimate. Seriously, who are you to judge the legitimacy of someone's questions? Here you have a person (a mammal) who understands that humans need a varied diet and he/she is having trouble to understand that some other animals (snakes, for example) might not require a varied diet, hence the humanized question of "don't they get sick of eating the same food over and over again?" This person understands that he/she would get sick of eating the same thing over and over again, so why not a snake? The point is moot anyway because until you can communicate with a snake how can you know if it does not, in fact, "get sick of eating the same food over and over again?" Also, you will have to forgive my ignorance for not realizing that you were born with the knowledge that all snakes are venomous.
If you are being asked the same question over and over again by the same person, as you have alluded too, then perhaps that person has other problems. Although I find this hard to believe... :rolleyes:

For questions, you draw the line nowhere... Please excuse me, my 5 year old cousin is here asking me if all snakes lay eggs, man she is so stupid!

[joey]

My friend is a neighbor of mine and she's a good friend---she knew I wasn't belittling her. PLus her sister used to own a boa and they lived together-- I didn't understand how she could be around this creature and not know how it ate.

But then again, she's a old hippy weed puffin grandma with dreads.... lol

[HeatherRose]

I'm in agreement with Ryan and Marisa...I'm extremely surprised and disappointed in everyones' attitude! I get my share of questions too, usually asked by my grandma: "Aren't all snakes poisonous?", "Isn't he (my ball python) going to get HUGE and eat the cat?" To which I just giggle and explain the correct answer politely.

Was everyone else not in the same boat when they fist got into the hobby or joined this site? I know for sure that I was. You can't expect everyone to know what you know now about snakes or herping in general, and I often tell myself this.

Anyway, I haven't had my morning coffee yet...http://www.pitbullforum.com/images/smiles/gmorning.gif even though it's 5...

-Heather

[Ontario_herper]

I agree that there's really no stupid question. Just because many of you have taken the time to learn about snakes doesn't mean that everyone in the world has!

I've put on countless reptile oriented shows for the public. I've really ever only gotten one "stupid" question. A kid was holding some type of snake (can't remember the species) and the mother asked if it was venomous.

I guess it's not even really a stupid question..... just a stupid time to ask it. If she thought there was a chance of it being venomous/ poisonous (who cares which term!) why was she letting her child hold it?

[mudflats]

When i get asked a question i am polite and do my best to inform the person. I never show any bit of a sign that i think it is a question that shouldnt be asked. All this post was to do is here other questions other questions asked, not to as said before belittle the non-herps are stupid. If i where at someones house with birds and/or fish my questions would probably be considered stupid. RM since i do small shows for younger children, i get asked questions of the same nature over and over again, but there kids so the questions are not dumb. Its when the parents are asking questions like i have stated that i have already answered to the children asking again and again. And being that my partner that helps me with these shows, who doesnt know a thing about reptiles, does seem to ask me in same context the same question over and over again. It doesnt seen like he is the only one, but people on general repeatingt he same questions, as if there not satisfied with the first. Like the answer i gave them was incredable and super natural in there minds, and in most cases i can sort see how that may be, like how there jaws unhinge to eat, how venom is injected etc etc... But some of the questions asked ( although informed politly are far out there). But like i said with anything else other then reptiles, amphibians, and how ecosystems work, my questions can be far worse then what i am asked on reptiles.

[Removed_2815]

Originally posted by Ontario_herper
venomous/ poisonous (who cares which term!)
That irks me too, as both terms are correct according to common lexica. I always find it funny when people try to make the distinction (if only to appear all-knowing). The only distinction lies in the pseudo-mutual inclusiveness; all venomous animals are poisonous, but not all poisonous animals are venomous.
The previous posters might want to get in touch with Dr. Bryan G. Fry from Australia, he'll likely tell you all snakes are venomous.
Ryan
*edit: Cam, I see now where I made my typo (I didn't understand why you mentioned Pythons): "all snakes" is supposed to read "all colubrid snakes", and even that is not entirely true. Fry reports that "the vast majority" of colubrids are venomous; close to "all" but there are exceptions. All snakes evolved from a common ancestral species that did, in fact, contain a venom gland.

[capsicum]

Ok, I need to clarify what I was saying, since I was the only one to say that some people are seriously stupid.

The question about "Where are their hands" came from an educated adult. This question seems to be asked every once in a blue moon, and always by an educated adult (I mean educated as in they are relatively smart in various areas -- not saying that anyone without 'schooling' is stupid).

I still stand by my point. If you want to know anything about snakes, then please at least look at a picture before you ask me where their hands are.

I got other questions about tail regeneration and so forth. Hey, I am still very new to the hobby and would never put someone down or belittle them for asking a question. Any question is legitimate.

So I hope this clarifies things. I don't think that people asking real questions about herps are stupid - just that particular question...now if it came from someone who was asking in an evolutionary sense, it would be different, but asking to look like they are uneducated in any sense is just a waste of my personal time, and I don't appreciate it.

TK

[CamHanna]

Originally posted by RMBolton
The previous posters might want to get in touch with Dr. Bryan G. Fry from Australia, he'll likely tell you all snakes are venomous.

Not mine (Pythons and Pantherophis);)

Edit - Acually, 33 of my 34 snakes aren't 'poisonous'. Fry's certainly worth a read though. www.venomdoc.com

[nat_the_brat]

the only questions i find offensive or ridiculous are the ones that belittle my attraction to herps. When people just flat out ask me why I bother keeping them (meanwhile talking in a tone of voice as if I am refering to keeping feces as pets) I think them ignorant in the sense that they obviously don't know much about herps but have decided to not approach it with an open mind. However, if someone is genuinely curious and asks why I keep them or asks any other question for that matter I take it as an oppritunity to spread some info and maybe warm up a few more people to herps. I met an eldery lady once who was terrified of garter snakes because she thought they were poisonous and rather then approach her like an idiot I merely explained that not all snakes are poisonous and most (all in the area I live in) are actually quite harmless. And now that lady 1) isn't so nervous about wandering around fields and 2) doesn't have the same negative attitude towards snakes that she used to. I like to take those oppritunities to present herps in a better (and more realistic) light rather then take the oppritunity to make someone feel stupid.

[beanersmysav]

Like I said it bothers me when people ask me questions such as why do you own so many, and follow up with things like its disgusting etc. I know most of these people dont mean to put down the people who ask these questions they just find them humorous thats all, I mean all of us had questions when we first started and over 3 years later I STILL have questions, and alot of times I know the answers I just like better, second, third, fourth or fifteenth oppinions, dont think there should be a flame war over this though lol but who am I? Alls I know is I'm glad those who know information I need help to inform me all the time, and I'm glad to help those who know less than me, I've probably gotten a dozen people into this hobby and to this date they are all responsible with their pets except for one person who I found an immediate home for their pet as soon as I saw them lose interest, but all 12 of those people have a million questions for me all the time and most of them own reptiles I don't own but I still look to help them out, do research online, in forums etc. but truthfully no one should put down others for questions unless of course they post one like i saw weeks ago on this forum "what kind of snake should I get so I can watch them restrict live mice to death" or however it went in my oppinion THATS a stupid question is it not?

[chong_python]

hmm mudflaps, contradiction?

All this post was to do is here other questions other questions asked, not to as said before belittle the non-herps are stupid

evidence ...

All the pretty ignorant and soemtimes stupid comments or questions made by the non-herpin type


I get asked question all the time, and im more than happy to answer them. I feel great when people walk away with more knowlage about herps. No question in my mind is "igorant" or "stupid" im glad to help.

and just to clearify something for me, out of the questions you listed

"Do they bite"

"Doesnt it get tired of eating the same food every week ( refering to a large bcc)."

"The women asked if i owned any poisonous snakes. ( that alone pissed me off). I replied no. I took out a juvenile ball python of mine, and she asked..Arnt you afraid to handle that snake,i asked why, and she said: Because its poisonous right? I almost freaked out"


how do you find these questions ignorant. In my oppinon they are all perfectily legit.

[Removed_2815]

capsicum, I still stand by my point, that that question is not stupid (coincides nicely with my doctrine that there are no stupid questions ;)). Consider this scenario: perhaps this educated adult heard tell of a certain group of snakes that have retained vestigial pelvic spurs and this person was informed that these "appendages" were for initiating copulation. Perhaps this person actually had a highly sophisticated question for you but had an anthropogenic slip-up and referred to these appendages as hands (hands are appendages, right?). Perhaps that's quite a stretch, but who knows? Answer the question as best as you can; "actually, snakes don't have hands like you and I, per se; however, primitive snakes of the family boidae.... " and so on.
Hopefully people see my point. :)
Regards,
Ryan

[Removed_2815]

Originally posted by CamHanna
Not mine (Pythons and Pantherophis);)
Ha ha, yup those too... ;)

[capsicum]

Ah, Ryan, great point. Thank you for pointing that out :)

Ok, so my statement is obvisously over-the-top, and I apologize for it if anyone was offended.

I will restate myself. Some times, when people ask various questions, it may appear that they are 'stupid'. But, as Ryan stated, they may have a legitimate reason behind the question.

I agree and appreciate that Ryan pointed out a very good scenario that is quite possible. I deffinately get your point ;)

Thanks again :D

TK

[CamHanna]

Originally posted by RMBolton
Ha ha, yup those too...

I thought the lack of venom was one of the distinctions between Elaphe and Pantherophis. At least that's what Fry told me.;)

I have to go to work but I'll dig up a link in a couple hours. He wrote a post about Pantherophis on Kingsnake less than a year ago.

Cam

[mudflats]

Chong python what i am getting at is, these people are not stupid but there questions are. I dont consider myself stupid yet i have my fare share of stupid comments and questions.

[Removed_2815]

Capsicum, I am glad you appreciated my (probably) far-fetched scenario, LOL!
I suppose my point through all of this is that "stupid" is a very strong word, especially to someone who is already exposed and vulnerable from asking the question. I would much rather be remembered as someone who made an effort to help those who had questions, rather than someone who refused to reach out from his Ivory Tower... What's the point of all this knowledge if you can't share it?
Cheers,
Ryan

[Removed_2815]

Originally posted by CamHanna
I thought the lack of venom was one of the distinctions between Elaphe and Pantherophis. At least that's what Fry told me.;)

I have to go to work but I'll dig up a link in a couple hours. He wrote a post about Pantherophis on Kingsnake less than a year ago.

Cam
Yes, that sounds familiar, I believe that is what BGF said is one of the distinctions... I haven't read much from him recently, just the claim "all colubrid snakes are venomous" always sticks out in my head...
If you have the link, post it, I am sure others might enjoy the read.
Ryan
*edit: see above post

[Artemis]

I love most of the questions I get... some of them include

"It gets BIGGER than that???"

"You let Willow hold it???"

and "YOU own snakes??"


These questions I am always more than happy to answer, and I find that even if they seems silly, these questions, when answered for people, help propogate a little more accurate knowledge about keeping herps, and even sparks a great deal of interest in some.


Artemis

[ydnic]

I love the questions. I love being able to share information with other people because I love learning. I spend about 2 hours a day reading up on reptiles - all species to see what interests me.
Passing that information on is important. Many of my friends were scared of snakes. Basically because they have never been around them and think they bite and are poisonous and soo forth. Now they come to my house sit in my snake room with me and ask questions - even silly ones and they know I will answer them with the best of my knowledge without making them feel stupid.
as for complaining about having to name off the various species of snakes you have - what a shame. I take pride in that, but I guess I have always taken pride in knowledge. I guess if you don`t want to recite a list of snakes - don`t mension them to begin with.

As for the biting question - I ask that too. Any time go to hold a snake I always ask the temperment - I know a snake can bite as i`m sure everyone does - what I want to know if it usually bites.

The food question is quite valid - could you imagine eating tuna everyday for the rest of your life. I`m sure thats what goes through a lot of peoples minds when they find out all it eats are mice or rats.

I had never once considdered this an elitist hobbie but now some of you are making me wonder...

[beanersmysav]

haha seems everyone forgets to mention the question I posted about earlier where the person asked what type of snake he could get that would restrict and kill live mice and eat them, I guess that's not a stupid? I think it is personally *shrugs*

[Ixidor]

Constrict* :D I don't think thats stupid at all. In fact, thats what constricters do in the wild, correct? I don't have any snakes, but I think that when we all first got are reptiles one of things we were looking forward to was watching it eat. Constricting and eating is normal in the wild, so at least the person has a bit of knowledge about the snakes eating habits. So my question to you is how is that stupid at all ?

[Removed_2815]

Originally posted by beanersmysav
haha seems everyone forgets to mention the question I posted about earlier where the person asked what type of snake he could get that would restrict and kill live mice and eat them, I guess that's not a stupid? I think it is personally *shrugs*
I was going to reply before but thought I was getting too outspoken ;) Now that a few hours have passed, I will post what I was going to say. Again, I don't like using the word stupid, but the so-called stupidity comes from the motive for wanting to own the snake, regardless of the fact that it is in the form of a question...
Ryan

[Kev_Mc]

Well the stupidest thing I heard a girl at my school say to me was, "There are girl lizards?"

I was like ummm yah, I am perrty sure of it..lol

[nita]

In most cases, no question is stupid but in relation to the person who was asked if the snake was poisonous replied no and then was asked why he wasn't afraid to hold the snake cause isn't it poisonous. Yup that is either a stupid person or someone who simply refuses to use their brain.

I got the same thing one day from a man on the bus while travelling with my children. He first asked if they were triplets, I replied yes, he then asked if they were all mine. I honestly felt like saying no only one is mine the other two belong to someone else. DUH..... Trust me as a mom of triplets I get a lot of questions that seem rediculous to me but to the average person may seem to make sense. It is the same with snakes, people who don't have them don't seem to understand them, I take pleasure in educating people whether it is about my snakes or the facts of multiple births.

[CamHanna]

In case anyone was interested here is what Dr. Fry said about Pantherophis:
Me

Dr. Fry, on your website you mentioned getting cobra-type venom from ratsnakes. What species was this? Have you ever done studies with our NA rats (pantherophis)? What did you find?
Dr. Fry

We looked at a pretty large amount of snakes, including representatives from as many of the families of 'colubrids' as we could. It appears that the common N. American ancestor of the clade that contains such snakes as Lampropeltis/Pantherophis/Pituophis underwent a secondary loss of the venom and reverted back to the more primative constricting condition. This is not unprecendented. Within the highly venomous elapids for example, two lineages of sea snake have independently begun the process of becoming non-venomous, they feed exclusively on fish eggs and have greatly atrophied venom glands and tiny fangs.

Here's the paper where Fry let's us know that most colubrids are venomous. It's heady but, from what I understand of it, it's very interesting.

http://www.venomdoc.com/downloads/2003_BGF_alpha-colubritoxin.pdf

A lot more can be found at Dr. Fry's website, www.venomdoc.com

Edit: Also here is the paper by Utiger that revalidates pantherophis. I've never read it and I don't know if venoms are mentioned. It's 2:51 AM so I'll save it for tomorrows reading.

http://www.venomdoc.com/downloads/Utiger_Elaphe_Phylogeny.pdf

[RepTylE]

I haven't had any really dumb questions asked. It's usually questions about how big my boa will get what I feed her etc. Same with all my animals.
My late mother expressed disgust with my snakes until she got to know them a little. On her death bed in the hospital just days before she died she asked me about my snakes and remembered all their names so if that isn't cool then what is?

[dragons&geckos]

i just had a uy ask me if my bp i'm selling was house trained....Apperently his 2 corn snakes only releave themselves when outside on the grass. I asked him what he does in the winter and he looked at me like i had his panties stapled to my forehead and said they go in there cages......i had to try hard not to laugh because he has had these snakes for years and is not just some guy goinginto a store to get his first snake....you'de think he would have a good idea that they are not really "house trained"

[beanersmysav]

Ok true everyone does like to watch them eat but there was definatly stupidity involved in that question if you go back and read it, the way he worded everything and made everything sound was nothing short of disgusting I guess thats the way to put it. I remember he got alot of heat on posting that question, so I guess what I was saying like RMBolton said was his motive for wanting to own the snake, if you haven't taken the time to research a snakes habits you shouldn't be getting the snake. But I guess theres arguements all the way around on this topic and I agree with the there is no stupid question... just stupid people

thats a joke dont need any greif over that either lol

[joey]

Originally posted by RepTylE
I haven't had any really dumb questions asked. It's usually questions about how big my boa will get what I feed her etc. Same with all my animals.
My late mother expressed disgust with my snakes until she got to know them a little. On her death bed in the hospital just days before she died she asked me about my snakes and remembered all their names so if that isn't cool then what is?

awwww......that's ~very~cool....:)

[RepTylE]

Thanks joey :)

[Brent Strande]

I get alot of the 'stupid' questions, but don't find them stupid at all. I love my snakes and relish the chance to talk about them whenever possible! My girlfriend (still not a fan of herps) had a friend over one day whose first question was 'Why do you keep snakes?' in a fairly sarcastic tone. Before we knew it, we had been talking about snakes for an hour and a half, and she is now alot more understanding of them and even curious about them!

My family is still not a fan of the animals, but they have begun to see how passionate I am about it when they ask different questions and I can give solid, thorough answers.

Perhaps when people are asked these questions they should use the principle of charity (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=principle+of+charity) before opening their mouths and responding. Think about it, herping is already looked down upon by many people in society. Giving a rude or sarcastic answer definitely won't help.

I used to get the same "high and mighty" response to a few questions, but then quickly grounded myself. The best example for me is Spiders. I have no clue whether or not they can bite me, if it will hurt, if there is any venom, as well as many other questions!

Same with birds, or fish, or many others.

Just a quick thought, but I still love to hear all the questions that people hear, as they are amusing as in inside joke for herpers!

PS, if you're wondering about the Principle of Charity, it is a great way to approach any comment or question. It basically states that questions of meaning come before questions of truth.
What this means is that when someone asks a question, and it sounds wrong, try and reword it to see if it makes sense then. This is giving people the benefit of a doubt, and if everyone did it, a LOT more information would probably be able to make its way to the right people!

[bistrobob85]

As for me, i don't think those questions are stupid, unless the guy who ask them to you really means to tease you, but there are certainly some non-stupid but VERY ANOYING questions asked... I think i'm going to have some kind of reptile FAQ sheet hanging somewhere in the petstore department, that should solve a part of the problem... All people need is a bit of good info and little less of TV...

[4:20]

Why would you want to own a snake?
Will it bite me if I touch it ?
Why would you want to own a snake?
Have they bitten you ?
Why would you want to own a snake?
Do they just run loose through your house?
Why would you want to own a snake ?
Does it change colors?
Why would you want to own a snake ?
Can I hold it ?

I want a snake now !!!

[chong_python]

This whole thread could be summed up by 4:20's post
ask questions, buy snake.
its always the way it works lol

[Kury]

Being new myself, I'm still asking many of the questions. Maybe not completely clueless ones, but still a lot.

That being said... this, is what irritates me THE MOST:

People, who don't own herps, have never owned any, have never researched extensively, but yet think they know everything.

This one person I know, is the worst. We got talking about snakes biting, and she says "If a snake bit me, I'd teach IT a lesson!!!" That really irritated me. You don't "teach lessons" to snakes (the only one I've ever heard about that makes sense, is letting it bite you till it gets sick of it- or used to you)

And then feeding, she's like "Why on earth would you feed it dead? That's boring." Guess what; feeding isn't entertainment for humans. It's nurishment for the animal. Get over the boring aspect, buy a tv.

Other questions/comments like this, that are clearly thinking solely for the human- and in no way for the animals benifit, are the most irritating.

Other irritating aspects I've run into:

People thinking snakes are "evil"

People asking me (in disgusted tones) why I would want snakes.

People asking me to hold the animals all the time. 1. I don't trust hardly anyone when it comes to my reptiles. 2. Any ball pythons that are not on a feeding schedule yet- are NOT held. Even by me. Except for general maintenance.

The only other thing I can think of, is the first time my sister saw a ball python. "OMIGOD IS THAT POISONOUS????" (apparently the head shape is that of a poisonous snake ???) After explaining it to her, she still didn't get it into her head that I own no venomous snakes. Now she just has an overall bad view of my reptiles (except the crested gecko who she insists on holding every single time she's here) Since then I've gotten over it, because I realized she's actually just afraid of them. My mistake in thinking she'd be cool with it... ah well. Most of my family are irritated with me at the moment, such is life.

[dia]

I had one bloke come in and start telling me about how he has a 50 gal with 3 ball pythons. Already alarm bells were going off. Then he tells me how his friend asked him to 'baby sit' her two leopard geckos. Can any one guess where this story is headed? He explained that he thought the geckos would be more content in the tank because it had an UTH.
He had two questions - "Are leopard geckos poisonous, cause I don't want my snakes to die..."
and "Can I buy two new leopard geckos?"
Perhaphs not the most stupid questions, but a very unthoughtful owner.

There's always a lot of people asking what might be considered "stupid" questions, but it's part of my job to help teach em. Few things are as wonderful to me as having people walk away more educated and informed.
Now I have a question, actualy a Boy Scout asked me this, do chameleons see in color?

[BoidKeeper]

You paid how much for it?????
Cheers,
Trevor

[bryan139]

One question the public needs to learn to ask or doesn't nearly enough is "How big do they get?" I'm sick of seeing burms up for adoption because an uneducated buyer bought a "cute, little" snake from an irresponsible breeder who saw dollar signs instead of making the buyer aware. Sorry, I know it's off topic but i couldn't help think of it reading all these other questions.

[RepTylE]

Originally posted by bryan139
One question the public needs to learn to ask or doesn't nearly enough is "How big do they get?" I'm sick of seeing burms up for adoption because an uneducated buyer bought a "cute, little" snake from an irresponsible breeder who saw dollar signs instead of making the buyer aware. Sorry, I know it's off topic but i couldn't help think of it reading all these other questions.



Excellent point, byran. Too many people want to get snakes just for the "cool factor" and either their interest wanes overtime or the snake in question grows too big to handle (in more ways than one).
I believe that the boa that I rescued was one of those cases. The guy that had her said that she was really nippy and I would need to wear gloves to handle her. I got her home and left her alone for several days and when I decided to start working with her to tame her down I soon found out that she didn't need it. A sweet thing, she is content to be slung around my neck while I'm working away on the puter. I assume that the guy who had her became intimidated by her size. I haven't had even one aggressive display from her.

[daver676]

I love it when people ask me questions about my snake. It's the perfect opportunity to educate them and attempt to correct any misconceptions they may have.

[Tim and Julie B]

I love questions too. We were at a show once, and our display snakes were on wood pellets. A woman asked if that was it's food. I got to explain what the pellets were, then what the snake really ate. I watched the lady turn white, but I'll bet she will remember what snakes eat!:D

I was at another show, with some very cool fire millipedes and I was taking them out and letting kids handle them. (kids are great at shows:D, little to no fear of anything) After asking their parents if they could hold them, and the parents saying yes, I had some of the parents ask if the millipedes were poisonous WHILE THEIR KIDS WERE HOLDING THEM!!!!!!!!!!! I am sorry, but that is a ligitimately STUPID question. It's not if it is asked BEFORE HAND, but certainly is after the fact.

Otherwise, questions are fun:D

Julie

[HeatherRose]

Now I have a question, actualy a Boy Scout asked me this, do chameleons see in color?

The general concensus is yes, they can see in colour. Most diurnal (awake during the day) lizards can. Diurnal lizards' retinas contain cone cells, and animals with cone cells in their retinas see in colour. Most nocturnal animals' retinas lack these cone-shaped cells. I heard from our tour guide on Iguana Island (in the Turks and Caicos Islands) that iguanas and other lizards are attracted to the colour red, and anyone with red nail polish on should watch out for their toes :p

[Lokismommy]

I had my aunt e-mail me after I sent her a pic of my carpet python on top of my head. And she asked me if I can play with my snakes. I was thinking yeah they play fetch but instead of using a ball they use my fingers. lol

[Removed_2815]

Originally posted by dia
do chameleons see in color?
I'd have to agree with Heather, but for different reasons. My reasoning would be that since it is generally understood that these animals convey various emotions and other signals (aggression, submission, breeding condition, etc) through colour changes, then for another chameleon to be able to decipher these colour-coded messages it would obviously have to be able to "see in colour".... Usually the animal kingdom is full of these cause-effect evolutionary relationships. If something as important as communication is almost completely reliant on colour changes, then the eye would have to be equally capable of perceiving this wide spectrum of colour. Just like vocalization and hearing in other phyla.
Cheers,
Ryan