Restricted Herps Essay

[DDW]

I am searching pics of hurt reptiles like burns and starving to show people that reptiles are suffering unduely.

[DDW]

Originally Posted by MDT

you shoulda seen the one i didn't post!!

(just kidding, i really got nuthin'! best of luck on the presentation though!)

Thankyou, there are some super cute leopard gecko pics out there, as well as chameleons. XD

[pet_snake_78]

I actually think a better track to take is that few reptiles need protection from collecting for the pet trade. There is a terrible misrepresentation by nature center type people that somehow a couple of kids catching snakes or the occasional hobbyist causes declines in populations. It's like saying a couple of guys with a pole are depleting the ocean. See detailed information here http://www.fgc.ca.gov/meetings/2014/apr/24_8.pdf

[chairman]

Technically an invasive species, but smiling frog is smiling.

[Albert Clark]

DDW, Feel free to use these pics of my 2015 super granite pastel checkered garter snakes that I produced back in April. The smaller female was the runt of the litter. They are siblings. IDK if it gets more cuter than this runt.

[DDW]

Originally Posted by pet_snake_78

I actually think a better track to take is that few reptiles need protection from collecting for the pet trade. There is a terrible misrepresentation by nature center type people that somehow a couple of kids catching snakes or the occasional hobbyist causes declines in populations. It's like saying a couple of guys with a pole are depleting the ocean. See detailed information here http://www.fgc.ca.gov/meetings/2014/apr/24_8.pdf

The problem I ran into is trying to get people to really care:/ as a member of the herp community, I understand and support your point, however, I don't know how I would get people not in the hobby caring about it. And I can't site anything for this(odd I know) and I don't know enough about it to really write on it. Sorry.

[chairman]

Probably too late for your paper or presentation but....

Empathy exists on a scale, no empathy to high empathy. Empathy is generally related to how "distant" things are from you. I think this example comes from Scandinavia, but there are basically three types of living things: the "us", the "them", and the "alien/other". It is easier to empathize with the us than the alien. Applied to the animal kingdom, dogs are much closer to us and snakes are much closer to alien. One could make the argument that snake keepers are either a) more empathetic than people who hate snakes (because they empathize with the alien) or b) are more accepting of diversity (because they lump more people/things in us and them than alien).

Highly debatable, easily studyable, and good fodder for an academic environment. Could probably even find citations for a paper with a word count limit that better allows for substance.

[chairman]

Oh, for applicability or strength of argument, people love to insist that they're more empathetic and more accepting of diversity than they really are. Convince people that disliking snakes is an indicator of lack of empathy or intolerance of diversity and at the very least people will vocally pretend to care.

[DDW]

Originally Posted by chairman

Oh, for applicability or strength of argument, people love to insist that they're more empathetic and more accepting of diversity than they really are. Convince people that disliking snakes is an indicator of lack of empathy or intolerance of diversity and at the very least people will vocally pretend to care.

I touched on how reptiles are seen differently than other animals by most people. the first slide of the power point has a picture of a starving dog and a picture of a dead iguana in captivity and the text says "What is the difference between two innocent lives…when one has scales and one has fur?" think that will be enough?

[chairman]

The slide sounds adequate. Remember, this exercise is not designed to change people's opinions or win hearts, it is designed with the specific goal of teaching you how to identify problems, determine root causes, develop proposed solutions, etc. I'm not saying that the line of reasoning isn't worth further study or implementation, it is just that school assignments typically hijack your interests to motivate you to learn something else.

[DDW]

I was not called on thursday so I have untile tuesday to continue working on my presentation.

I know it's not to change hearts, I just want them to understand that abuse is not restricted to just the common pets like cats and dogs. I am also throwing in how kingsnakes help in the wild, and how they can make good pretty/cute pets. (I put together some colages. one is for cute one is for pretty, and one is for injured and sick reptiles) and kingsnake + rattlesnake = dinner

[DDW]

So, the presentation went well, but now I have the essay part due this Tuesday.

Would anyone like to review what I have written so far? I don't want to post it directly here because I know not everyone wants to read almost 800 words. Well, if anyone seriously wants to reveiw it, just pm me please. I'll try to keep a close eye on my messages.

Thankyou everyone for all the help. I really apreciate it.

[reptiledude987]

I tried to PM you and wasnt able to send you a message as Im interested to read your essay. You may need to empty your inbox and sent folder.

[DDW]

Originally Posted by reptiledude987

I tried to PM you and wasnt able to send you a message as Im interested to read your essay. You may need to empty your inbox and sent folder.

I'm sorry I didn't reply. I can still send you the essay but it has already been turned in. (Ive never used my PM thing. I thought it would work on its own. It says I have 0 messages stored out of 70 allowed:/

I've had a lot going on including a trip to the hospital. I'm sorry I haven't been on for a while /:

[reptiledude987]

no worries. I hope all is well for you.