Animal Planet..

[zeion97]

I've been watching a lot of this channel recently. (Mostly Because of Planet Earth and The Crocodile Hunter.) But it's all to often now that shows bashing large constrictors and hots are coming on. Fatal attractions is doing it a lot on the aspect of Hots, and is making it look like were "animal hoarding freaks" for loving reptiles... every show you can tell the families (especially those that have had a death) love there family members and are trying to make them look good, but nearly everything is taken out.of.context And in turn makes it look bad to own exotics. Even at the end It says, "still wondering why people get exotic pets? Explore the psychology And hear from the owners themselves" this makea my blood boil.... I personally believe Animal Planet is one of the reasons so many people fear exotics to any degree... I don't let anything from this channel degrading be played while I'm home.. it has my mom believing my little BP could strangle her to death.. my fiancée is starting to come around after I made her watch multiple specials and actually pay attention to all the lies they spew forth. Last night in particular... watching the "Man-Eating Super Snake" she we actually yelling at the TV after hearing nothing but "it's invading"

I know we have ALOT of mixed reviews. And it appears the Borneo Bateater is starting to take hits as the "next big snake" so lets hear some info from everyone. Do you hate animal planet? Do you like it? Do you agree about what it says about our pets?

On a side note... is it right to ban our snakes because of the "problem" in the glades? (Try to keep this to conversation and not a name throwing rant)

I don't want anyone to go.off and say "burms are going to be ruling the world!" Most Burmese in Flordia were killed off by the Cold snap, which alone proves thy can't live in most states in the US. And to them reproducing, a lot of Baby Burmese are eaten by other predators, so in a way the Burmese helps the food chain. But at the same time, the larger ones still do harm. Its like all the invasive bees and fire ants..

Now you can agree with me, or disgaree, add some info if you please. But lets.keep this conversation to just that and not go overboard.

There are multiple things that you can add to on this. And it could be a very healthy conversation, so everyone. Opinion times?

[Rhasputin]

I do want to put it out there that I think it's dumb dumb dumb to own a poisonous animal. I'd never own one, and I think it's dumb for other people to own them, i just don't see a point. But Do I want to stop you from owning one? NO!

I don't think it should be anyone's problem what type of animals I KEEP IF I KEEP THEM UNDER CONTROL and they're not harming anyone, and they are healthy an well cared for.

That is all.

[Crazy4Herps]

I don't have TV but from what I've seen I HATE Animal Planet. And Discovery. And the History Channel. And all other media sources that get so wrapped up in publicizing fear that they forget the original goal is to educate and inform.

[Crazy4Herps]

I do want to put it out there that I think it's dumb dumb dumb to own a poisonous animal. I'd never own one, and I think it's dumb for other people to own them, i just don't see a point. But Do I want to stop you from owning one? NO!

I think this is a good point. (Although snakes aren't poisonous, they're venomous.) You aren't going to find me with a venomous snake in my house, but as long as keeping any animal doesn't put anyone besides the owner at risk (that includes the animal itself; for example, I do happen to strongly disagree with big cats being kept as pets) I have no argument.

[Rhasputin]

I felt like poisonous was wrong, shows how much I know about keeping 'poisonous' snakes.

[FalconPunch]

What the hell could be worse than an alligator in the everglades? Who F-ing cares if snakes move in. People need to chill out about that- catch the damn things and sell them back to us snake-lovers.
Snake lives, They make money, It's not in their precious everglades, and we get a new pet

WIN.WIN.WIN.WIN.

[Mike41793]

I agree with you, much of what they put on the channel is complete garbage. They always have the aspca animal rescue show on during the day but they rescue dogs/cats/farm animals 99% of the time. That means either A: Herp owners are really responsible so our animals dont need rescuing or B: Theyre biased towards non-herps or C: a combo of both.
Im pretty sure its a combo of both but I like to think its A.
On a side note I was thinking if the cold snap killed most of the burms in FL then does that mean that the ones that survived are going to continue breeding and produce a generation of burms more tolerant to the cold with the ability to survive at lower temps? Or were the burms that survived sorta just lucky?

[Emily Hubbard]

What the hell could be worse than an alligator in the everglades? Who F-ing cares if snakes move in. People need to chill out about that- catch the damn things and sell them back to us snake-lovers.
Snake lives, They make money, It's not in their precious everglades, and we get a new pet

WIN.WIN.WIN.WIN.

While I obviously adore snakes, the burm problem in the everglades is not to be made light of. The issue is that that particular ecosystem is not designed to handle another apex predator. The alligators belong there, and the snakes are killing them or competing with them for food. No, it is not the snake's fault that they are there, but it is not a "no big deal" situation.

I think it is important to remember than just because we love and adore a certain animal does not mean it belongs everywhere. The burms DO NOT belong in the everglades, and sadly, they must be removed, usually by deadly force. The bad guy in this situation is not the snakes, but the people who put them there, the snake collectors who are not part of this club of caring hobbyist dedicated to the well being of our animals, but impulse buyers of exotics, people who see a little snake in the pet store window. failing to realize or accept that it will someday be 10, 12, 15 feet long, and who release it when they no longer want to deal with it. It is now a 20 foot invasive species, a nuisance animal because of the carelessness and selfishness of man. All we can do is not be those people, and stand by the responsible burm owners who love their snakes and care for them safely.

[zeion97]

I apologize for the late reply And I have multiple replies to reply to. I will do it tonight after work though. Christmas has made my life a few bad words at work. @_@

[Tarawr88]

I'm not really a fan of animal planet... mostly because of the lack of herp-friendly shows. They make it seem like ALL herps are "evil dangerous creatures". I've yet to see them say anything nice about these creatures.

I understand the "Hots =/= pets", but what about those who don't really keep them as pets, but rather milk them for anti-venom? They attack these people as well-- will they not stop until we're up a creek without a paddle because we no longer have people milking the venom from snakes to make anti-venom? I kinda feel like thats EXACTLY whats going to happen. I guess it IS a thankless job. "Hey, I know you keep hots so you can milk venom from them, but we're going to attack you for keeping exotics... and saving lives of people who get bitten by snakes."

Good going, Animal Planet. Thats the smart thing to do!

As far as should we all be punished for the situation in Florida... No, I sincerely believe that only affects Florida. Its sad, I hate it, but lets face it... these TROPICAL snakes would not survive in most of the US-- hell, I was born and raised in Arkansas... it DOES get cold as hell there in the winter. Like, to the point that if you have dogs that are usually outside, you have to make sure they have fresh hay to sleep in OR bring them into the house-- they won't survive otherwise. And they certainly wouldn't last long up north... I'm barely managing that right now. It gets too cold INSIDE my home at night... I have to put a heater in the room with my snakes to make sure they stay warm enough.