What do you think of young people with herps?

is some one reallie wants to do it i mean their heart is just totaly set on it they can, but a pet, ANY pet is a HUUUGE responsibility. my bro got a pet parrot and my parents bought it and he didnt do anythin to pay for it or care for it, and in the end it flew away. i got my ball fairly young and wanted it more than anytin, saved for it and the tank and alll the stuff he needed and hes been happy n healthy since so it all depend on the individual

I'm all for it!!!

I got my first herps when I was 6...A pair of red-sided garters (Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis).
They started my life long love of herps...And I know that even then, at such a young age, I cared for those animals as well as (or even better) than people a heck of a lot older than myself!!!

As far as I'm concerned, no matter of someone's age (within reason....I'm not suggesting getting your 18mth old baby a BP! :D) if they have the dedication, commitment, passion & knowledge to keep them...Then why not!?

We all started sometime, for me it was aged 6....for others it may be aged 60! ;)

Oooooh.....And I'm pleased to say my 4yr old little girl is following in her VERY proud Daddy's footsteps!!! :D :gj:

I think it's a good thing. I'm almost fifteen and i have a healthy BP named Franky. But I've read probably hundreds of pages of stuff on them and herpetology is what i want to do with my life. but i do think it's a bad thing if it's some uneducated kid that thinks it'll be cool to have a snake and then buys one and sticks it in some box with news paper for the rest of it's life and doesn't take proper care of it.

The only thing that stops or spurs on teens with successfully keeping snakes is their attitude.

Teenagers are in a difficult period in their life, prying free from the grips of their parents to be on their own and do their own thing. They now know dont have to do anything, if they don't want to, and I believe that is also the biggest hurdle when teens get their new reptile.

The most common source of reptiles is pet stores, and they often give out no advice, or advice that is just plain wrong. So when the teen buys that new snake, provides what they were told, or doesn't, they are met with some responses (online or in person) telling them they have been providing bad husbandry or feeding, they often don't react well.

I've noticed it's many teens that refuse to change in their ways, because they feel they know best, and nothing has happened so far, who are you to tell them what to do with their animals...etc etc... especially if it's coming from an adult, or in a manner that doesn't depict friendliness very well (i.e. Online forums, chat, written word). When I was a teen, I thought everyone was out to put me down, or get me. So I read everything that way. Took some time to get over that. :oops:

It makes it very hard for me to give advice without slapping some kid with a fish stick because they are strong willed, bull headed, and don't want to believe that they may be wrong, because they are working so hard at being independent already. Swallowing pride and changing is the hardest thing for anyone to do.

On the flip side, we have teens like Justin that go out of their way to keep up with the latest and greatest. They ask questions, are enthusiastic about the responses and are generally very willing to listen to their older more experienced peers. It makes it very worthwhile to save someone the heart ache and trouble you may have experienced or heard from others about certain aspects of herp keeping.

:gj: Bravo, you`ve just separated yourself from the 3.2 million un-educated dummies in the world!!! I am a father of 2 sons and have been step-father to 3 others and I`ve never tried to instill fear of animals in them, but I did teach them to have respect for them since they (animals) are more afraid of humans and will attack when threatened. I think you`re on the right road in your life and you should pursue it as far as you`re able!!!
However, owning BP`s is definitely COOL:cool:!!! Having an animal that so many others are afraid of shows real courage and strength of character that others may lack. But, you`re very right in that too many BP`s die through un-education in the care of them:(. I think those of us who know better have an un-written duty to BPs to try to offer our knowledge and understanding to those who don`t understand these wonderful animals. The way of the snake truly is the cycle of life as it is in so many other animal worlds!!!:)

OK not read any of this thread so have no idea what your thoughts are but i have a 15 yr old son who is into reps and he also works in a Reptile shop at weekends.

I think its great that the younger generation are willing to learn about herps and my son ( reptile-kid for anyone that knows him) loves them and wants to go to college and work with them

OK so im a proud mother but i have had many a person tell me how knowledgeable he is for his age. He has worked in the shop for almost 2 yrs now and loves every minute and the reason why we now have 7 snakes 3 beardies and 3 whites tree frogs AND he wants more.

I would much rather him be in studying and being with his herps than being out on the street. If it were not for the younger generation this hobby owuld eventually die out as the older generation die out

well there ya go folks my 2cents worth

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

And I would add to that....that they have at least one adult backing them up. It's awfully unfair to allow your child to have a pet, especially an exotic one, and then not be there to provide any support at all.

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:salute:

I think its great for kids to start early assuming they know how to care for their animal. I'm 14 years old and i have had my ball python for almost a year and i think it has been a great experience and I can say hes treated just as well and looked after just as good as if he was owned by an adult.

i have been keeping snakes, well, reptiles, sense i was i was around 10 or 11, maybe even before (if i count the snakes i would keep for a few days when i was younger)

i also think as long as the kid can take care of the reptile, and they have parents willing to help out with it... its a great experience, i personally think snakes make great pets for kids, cause in reality, imo they are easier than a dog...
i also think that if a parent wants to introduce some responsibility to kids that are younger, like 6-10, a lizard or a snake is a great way to do it, becuse yeah, the parent is taking care of it, but the kid gets to help feed it, and take care of it.... and grow up learning responsibility, and RESPECT for herps :D

im glad my parents let me get my first captive bred snakes... well, i got a tegu from a pet store first :D then the snakes :D he was sweet, and taught me responsibility, and the only reason i got rid of him was because i was offerd a trade - i got my first ball python.... :D