Have Experience? (another rant) - Page 2

Linds · 02-25-03, 12:38 PM

Excellent thread with many great points. Unfortunately this will always be the way of the internet, and why it is very important that people do their own research, and when receiving advice, weigh it out for ones self to see if it makes sense (this is where that most important common sense and research comes in to play), not just take it as the truth, or the best way just because someone said so. It would be nice if everyone worded things as accurately as they should, but often is not the case

So it's up to ones own guard.

Katt · 02-25-03, 12:55 PM

Well, I always try to give advice when I can. I see a lot of people floundering with questions that no one has an answer to, and I think it's better to hear some sort of advice than nothing at all. I don't go off about something I don't know because that's well stupid, but I won't shut my trap just because I don't have 10yrs of experience.Glad to say no one has faulted me on something I've said though.

I'd love to make a webpage on burms, because I love them so, but I haven't kept one long enough to know everything, but I have done some research and chatted to other keepers (which is the best way to learn) . Vanan and I have typed up a little sheet on large snakes (since we have a few) for the heck of it and try to help other newbies, even if we are a bit of newbies ourselves, not to make ourselves like experts, but because we like helping people and I really see no wrong with that.

However, I do think it's foolish to see absolute newbies, or even medium newbies spout off info they have no understanding off. It's really the posturing that bothers me.

Vanan · 02-25-03, 03:27 PM

Going with what Katt just mentioned, I too agree with BW's post. Misinformation CAN kill. Experience is one thing, and knowledge is another. I think one has to have a bit of both to be able to give advice.

Look at me for instance. Technically I've only had snakes as pets for about 3yrs. I have only bred corns and kings. This will be my first year with breeding boas and pythons. Even though I've had many species of snakes in my collection, I can only say I _know_ a species when I've raised and bred thrm and have dealt with problems commonly associated with them. Otherwise, it's only "when I had this problem this is what I did", or "according to most other's experience...".

Anyways, this has been a good thread. It's one of those things that have been a peeve of mine too (even though I'm a newbie). Glad that someone brought this up to help other newbies be aware.

Vanan
The Herp Room

RachelS. · 02-25-03, 04:04 PM

I totally agree with this post. I am a "kid" myself and have been researching on the captive care and matainence (sp?) of crocodilians, and I have also handled a few spec. caimens. Now I know I'm absolutely ready for one. Have been wanting one for almost 2 years now, and at first I knew I wasn't ready until now. I'm getting one in a few months

.
About the venomous deal... I almost got a Gaboon Viper about a month ago, and I changed my mind for that Black Blood Python I have.... not only because I have been searching for a blood like that for almost a year, but also because I knew I wasn't quite ready for a hot. I'm looking for a mentor. I'm going to contact my local herp society and see if someone there is interested in teaching me how to handle and take care of these awesome reptiles. I already know a guy about an hour from me and I'm going to call him up again and ask him if he can help me out.
Another thing: I don't really care for the "beginner" type hots because they don't interest be in the least bit. I always go for what I'm interested in and what strikes my attention (and what I know I can handle after previous experiences, and what I keep and such). I don't want to get tired of what I didn't want in the first place. Does that make sense? I mean, it's not like I'm going to reach in and grab the herp in the first place... I'm not that stupid

. This animal will be for my enjoyment, and viewing purposes only. Not to be cool and show off to my buddies. I never got why people did that in the first place, unless they are complete idiots, lol.
Anyway, I hope that shows what I think about this whole deal. Thanks for reading

michele.kyle · 08-14-04, 01:48 PM

I agree with you all I am new to this in so far as I am from scotland and I dont know your terms. but surely what is posted is suggestion not gospel!!!!!!! when nobody answers to a novice like me you can understand the casualties in lack of communication and help given to a "novice" anyone else finding this problem contact me email or msg me . I have tried for help for weeks I'm still waiting for a response !!!!

michele.kyle · 08-14-04, 01:51 PM

6000 members and nobody can help me. I must be doing something wrong help!!!!!! help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! help!!!!!!!!!!!!

michele.kyle · 08-14-04, 01:55 PM

bws smith I appreciate what you say but if like me you dont know how to tell people what you got / had / how do you tell people what experience worked for you ?

bistrobob85 · 08-14-04, 02:23 PM

I defenetly like this thread, its one of the most pertinent thing i've read in a while... I think some people needed to read it, thanks BWS.

Rachel, you right, people who get snakes or lizards or big dogs to be cool and show off must be complete idiots with no respect for animals... I get to see tons of them ( i work in a pet store ) and they make me soo angry i would kick their face out of the store...
Worst of all, they all want BIG snakes to scare off the neighbors! What can be worst than a complete idiot ( that doesnt have no respect for the animal ) with a burmese python, a retic, a water monitor, an anaconda, a boa constrictor or any other poor animal...

phil.

Rikki · 08-14-04, 02:42 PM

Age is not the issue, and it annoys me when people are always using the term Kid..... Adults give out the same info, age has nothing to do with anything! Its your expirience

marisa · 08-14-04, 02:48 PM

So how can a 15 year old have as much experience as a 45 year old? LMAO

I am not bashing kids, but I most certaintly do take advice given by an old time herper over a teenager in MOST cases.

Marisa

Rikki · 08-14-04, 02:51 PM

Just because you are older does not mean you are more expirienced with reptiles. A 15 yeard old kid can know tons more about reptiles than a 45 yeard old.

CamHanna · 08-14-04, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rikki
age has nothing to do with anything! Its your expirience

I would disagree, partially. Age does not have any direct relationship to experience but it does with potential experiance. If someone is 12 then they can not have (imo) more than 2 or three years of meaningful experience. I do think that at times the knowledge of younger folks is underappreciated but I see such an all-encompasing statement as "age has nothing to do with anything!" to be ignorant. At your age can you honestly say that you have the experience (at life in general) to make that statement. At 16 I know that I can't, though by that logic I can't denounce it either, just voicing my opinion.

Cruciform · 08-14-04, 03:09 PM

Michele,

I just used the search function to look for the issue you're having trouble with. You haven't started any threads recently... that might be why no one is answering your requests for help.

If you're asking in someone elses thread it may be orphaned and no one is reading it.

Try starting a new thread with your issue.

mykee · 08-14-04, 03:22 PM

Rikki: funny you should say that, you've posted on here 199 times so far and maybe 4 of those are legitimately reptiles posts.
It is unfortunate, but I've said it before and I'll ay it again. It's too bad that people would rather come online to a Forum and ask a question rather than research it themselves. God forbid they might learn something. Lazy, lazy, lazy.

Crystal · 08-14-04, 03:46 PM

Just for giggles here i will disagree with the 15 year old not knowing more than 45 year old, this is an absurd statement, i myself have read so many herp books "actual published books by herpetologists (sp?)" that i couldn't even recount them all, but i am 22 my mind hungers for knowledge, but how many 45 year olds out there are the same? and i think most of us forget that we're all "Newbies" i dont care if you have 25 years experience under your belt, your still a newbie, the whole reason half of us are even in reptiles is for the love of keeping them, and LEARNING about them, the day you stop learning, is the day you graduate from "Newbie Slime"

End Of Vent

Crystal