How would you introduce the hobby to someone who seems interested?

[Bluebonnet Herp]

Hey all, I actually got my mom a bit curious about the herpetoculture hobby, but as this is often a misunderstood, or rather, somewhat mysterious hobby, how would you go about introducing the hobby and key characteristics about it to someone who was previously oblivious? Some topics to go on about... How would you explain that keeping reptiles in large numbers in actually quite the norm in the hobby is still efficient and clean? And how would you explain that it isn't a taboo obsession involving animal hoarding, but simply a burning passion that involves the responsible ownership of several animals? What are some other things you would explain to someone curious about the hobby, but was oblivious to it before? And what have you to say about its addictive qualities?

[TheSnakeGuy]

That's a tough one. When I speak to my customers at PetSmart about snakes I always tell them about how much care is involved in these animals. I enjoy trying to make people realize that a PET isn't just defined as a cuddly animal that bonds with you like a cat or dog. Caring for reptiles is very PERSONALLY REWARDING because of the level of attention that goes into their care. It simply makes you feel good to know that the animal is eating, shedding, pooping, and is in good health ALL because of you. Not to mention the longevity of reptile's lives in comparison to mammals. When it comes to keeping several snakes you simply view it as a collection. I honestly can't fathom how some people have like 9 dogs, but look at me like I'm crazy when I say I have two snakes and a third on the way.

[Herpenthusiast3]

This is a great video about a lot of the misconceptions about reptiles. Kind of a feel good video to help people realize that snakes and other exotics are almost never as the media projects. It addresses the irrational fears surrounding snakes. A lot of good info to pass on to someone who is just beginning to show interest. #snakebytestv

http://www.youtube.com/watch?nomobile=1&v=rXFofP-xcts

[Bluebonnet Herp]

This is a great video about a lot of the misconceptions about reptiles. Kind of a feel good video to help people realize that snakes and other exotics are almost never as the media projects. It addresses the irrational fears surrounding snakes. A lot of good info to pass on to someone who is just beginning to show interest. #snakebytestv

http://www.youtube.com/watch?nomobile=1&v=rXFofP-xcts

It's not really the fear of snakes that's the problem, it's just explaining that snakes aren't as difficult as cats or dogs to keep, and that it isn't ridiculous animal hoarding to have a few snakes.

[Herpenthusiast3]

Show her the scientific side of it. People who are passionate about this hobby tend to be meticulous when it comes to keeping there collections data information. Shed, weight gain, genetics ect. Show her that it isn't a compulsion to own animals but a passion to learn and observe reptiles. Break out in full
Genetic lesson and let it sound like absolute jargon. Go back and explain yourself in way she can understand and be excited about it so she can see that you are actually learning something about the hobby we all enjoy. Hope all goes well.

[liv]

If you have one nearby, you should invite her to an expo with you. My dad was completely uninterested in my hobby, but I took him to an expo and now he's asking me when I'm getting a cinnamon albino, "that white one" and a "super small retic".

[TheSnakeGuy]

My dad didn't even know I had snakes when I invited him to a reptile expo last year. He went with and was very receptive to some new knowledge. Took him a while to wrap his head around the, "why does this snake here cost so much more than this one." I've had him help me with some terrarium mods too. Now almost everytime I see him he's asking how they're doing and if they're eating well.

[Herpenthusiast3]

My gf who I thought loved reptiles as much as I do explained to me today how its more my thing. :/ there goes that in common. Guess we march to the beat of a different drum.

[youbeyouibei]

Hey all, I actually got my mom a bit curious about the herpetoculture hobby, but as this is often a misunderstood, or rather, somewhat mysterious hobby, how would you go about introducing the hobby and key characteristics about it to someone who was previously oblivious? Some topics to go on about... How would you explain that keeping reptiles in large numbers in actually quite the norm in the hobby is still efficient and clean? And how would you explain that it isn't a taboo obsession involving animal hoarding, but simply a burning passion that involves the responsible ownership of several animals? What are some other things you would explain to someone curious about the hobby, but was oblivious to it before? And what have you to say about its addictive qualities?

Have her over and show her your setups, top to bottom. Feed/shed/weight/cleaning/etc. records and how much time and energy you invest in it to demonstrate that it's a passion and not simply something "cool" or "taboo"...although it is pretty cool, lol! Demonstrate to her the knowledge you've gained of animal husbandry, genetics, what it takes to care for these animals and attempt to replicate their natural environments for a pet that could potentially live 30+ years and what a responsibility and commitment that represents. Show her some of the information available on the Web, especially from VPI and the Barkers on some of the incredible things they've discovered regarding these animals and their life cycles. Give her a glimpse into how much research and scientific advancements have been conducted and brought about by small hobbyist breeders as well as some of the bigger names in the industry. I can't find the article but there's one that comes to mind of how a snakes organs actually increase in size and mass when they're digesting food and this is being looked at for transplant patients and people with heart issues to see if scientists can replicate the hormone that causes this. Show her how Gila monster venom was isolated and synthesized by Eli Lilly and other pharmaceutical companies to treat people with Type II diabetes. Just saying...lots of things yet to learn about these animals and how they could help people, let alone how fascinating they are to keep and interact with anyway of their own accord. Show her it's something you enjoy and are passionate about and I think that would sell itself to her, especially considering any parent would want their kid to be happy and successful at whatever they choose to do in life, be it a hobby or a job, if not a combination of the two.