Earning Their Own Keep

[Samba]

While attending the New Mexico State Fair yesturday, and seeing numerous reptiles exhibited ("World's largest Alligator!!!" "Man-Eating Snake!!"), I wondered what it would be like (and if it would be worth it) to allow my snake to earn some of his keep...

I haven't really talked to anyone about this, as it is just out of curiosity, mainly, but I thought it'd be interesting to see what you guys think... or see if any of you have done it before... The most Bandula has done is some educational seminars... so it wouldn't be an entirely new thing for him to be gawked at.

He really is beautiful and impressive, and I think people would love to see him (even though he is just a plain burmie)... =)

[ToddBecker]

In my opinion it is no different than the old freak shows at the circus. It is exploiting a beautiful animal for profit and that in my opinion is a mistake. Todd

[Brent Strande]

Isn't that what breeding is? That is the arrangement with my girlfirend... as long as they will be eventually paying for themselves then she'll accept them. Hopefully they'll eventually even bring in a little extra!

[Samba]

I don't want to exploit my snake... that's why the TITLE of this thread is EARNING THEIR OWN KEEP. Charge $1.00 admission to every person interested in seeing a beautiful creature like mine and that money goes directly to the snake for food, electricity (for heat and humidity); etc. I don't think enough people would be interested for me to make a profit, and my snake has worked before to earn money for Samba's Reptile Rescue. There's wouldn't be much, (if any) traveling involved.

Brent I agree with you... breeding animals to sell their babies for profit is the very definition of exploitation.

[ToddBecker]

Breeding snakes can be exploitive however it does provide a vital role to both the public as well as the wildlife. Without the mass breedings doen by the business people as well as the small breeders then the public would rely on imported animals to purchase. This was the case for the majority of the 70's and 80's. The majority of the animals available then were all wc and were diseased and parasite ridden. Due to the efforts of breeders we have developed a strong and reliable source for healthier and snakes with a much better temperment. It is because of the breeders that we now have friendly, retics, rocks, condas, chondros, just to name a few. Todd

[Brent Strande]

Sorry to cause confusion. I was saying that breeding is 'earning their own keep.' Also, exploitation isn't always a bad thing. One definition of it, from www.dictionary.com states:

exploitation

\Ex`ploi*ta"tion\, n. [F.] The act of exploiting or utilizing. --J. D. Whitney.

This is the same as taking advantage. There is nothing wrong with taking advantage, as long as it isn't causing harm.

i.e. The difference:
- I found a couch with a 30% discount so I took advantage.

vs

-I found a drunk chick in the bathroom so I took advantage

The same goes for exploitation... it would depend on each situation.

Anywho, back to the topic...

Samba, I completely understand. If you can find a way to get your snake to cover its own costs, thats taking an advantage! There's no rule out there stating that your snake has to cost you from out of pocket. Good luck and let us know if you can get something arranged to help out!

[Samba]

Thanks, Brent. I don't mind caring for my big baby, it would just be nice to see that he can sit around being pretty and earn some money to cover his expenses. I really don't consider displaying him to the public to be exploitation in the sense that Todd mentioned earlier. My snake is beautiful and I really consider myself lucky to have him. It would be nice to share him with other people, and maybe educate them a little. It might even give a little more awareness to giant snakes being sold as babies in captivity to owners who will give them away, set them free or even kill them a few years later when they're 'too big'.

I don't even know what kind of events he could be displayed at, but I guess asking someone at the NM State Fair would help...

I'll keep you guys updated...

[CHACHI]

Id think if your snake would be big enough in your area people could pay to come see it.