Lets hear all them questions

[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

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