Ball Python on Today show....

[TanyaL]

so what i took so long to say is that as WE know and love our snakes and KNOW a ball python doesnt grow to 20 feet because we are interested in learning about them. the people who dont know probably dont care that she made that mistake. i'm quite sure that nobody tuned in to that show to get there daily dose of reptile education. that being said, the ones who are upset about this (me included) know the mistake. the ones who dont know, really dont care.

I partly agree with you BUT, there is a proposal to ban these beautiful creatures! I'm sure those looking to have bps banned were interested in the info, rather it was bad or not. "But...the doctor, the expert, said they get to 20 feet!"

Somebody else mentioned that perhaps the doctor is trying to refrain from looking like an idiot by having her statement retracted. But, IMO, the idiot is the one that is afraid to admit the mistake. I know she did admit the mistake via email, but that's not good enough IMO.

Had I heard this video prior to getting our BP, it think I would have thought twice about it. I would tend believe somebody like her over the 'uneducated' pet store employees. Turns out though that she is equally uneducated or should I say misinformed. I don't believe the rock python bit either. I don't know what a rock python is if I seen one but I'm sure that if I collected them as a child, I don't think I would forget what they look like or mistaken them for another snake.

I wonder how many other 'experts' the Today Show (and other shows) has had on the set. It kind of reminds me of the doctor who did the surgery on Kanye West's mother. He wasn't the expert that they thought he was either.

I don't usually watch the today show but now I'm going to set the it to record to see if anything is said.

[MelissaFlipski]

i get why everyone is upset but let me just say this...i have been a brewer for over 5 years. i often give tours of our facility and "teach" others how to give tours and answer questions. its okay to not know something and say "i dont know." what i tell the rookies when they are all nervous about giving tours is that the "beer geeks" who know how beer is made KNOW what they are looking at. they just want to see where we make our beer. the people who dont really know the really technical aspects of making beer for the most part really dont care. the just want to see where we make our beer.

so what i took so long to say is that as WE know and love our snakes and KNOW a ball python doesnt grow to 20 feet because we are interested in learning about them. the people who dont know probably dont care that she made that mistake. i'm quite sure that nobody tuned in to that show to get there daily dose of reptile education. that being said, the ones who are upset about this (me included) know the mistake. the ones who dont know, really dont care.

The bad thing is that they passed this segment off as just that - "educational" - when it was really "misinformational"!

[catawhat75]

Well, I got a call from Animal Planet yesterday appologizing for her mistake and all the crud about her being told it was a Rock Python. I mentioned several thoughts from this thread and asked the girl to check out BHB's snake bytes. Maybe someday we will see something other than OMG it's a snake on TV.

[naba2002]

terrible shame how some people would never go to a urologist if they had a heart attack but listen to a ....um.... rhino doc? tell everyone bout snakes

[_Venom_]

Damage was done, She apologized, I believe we are done.

[Ginevive]

I can't wait. We'll be having our get-togethers, and everyone will be like "WOW! We saw this TV show and this expert said that your BPs will get 20 feet!" Then, I will explain.. no. Then they will nod and think that I am wrong because I am not an expert on TV.
Sigh.

[MelissaFlipski]

Well, I got a call from Animal Planet yesterday appologizing for her mistake and all the crud about her being told it was a Rock Python. I mentioned several thoughts from this thread and asked the girl to check out BHB's snake bytes. Maybe someday we will see something other than OMG it's a snake on TV.

Good for you! And nice plug for Snake Bytes.

I can't wait. We'll be having our get-togethers, and everyone will be like "WOW! We saw this TV show and this expert said that your BPs will get 20 feet!" Then, I will explain.. no. Then they will nod and think that I am wrong because I am not an expert on TV.
Sigh.

Oh so true. Some people believe everything they see or read. Oh, wait, so send them to this forum!