BP Lifestyle/Culture (Question heavy)

[Kaorte]

I particularly love the ball python community. That being said, most people who own ball pythons also own other species. It is like the gateway drug to reptiles.

I think it really just comes down to being animal lovers. I have had animals my whole life and I couldn't imagine a day without them. They are part of who I am. I love hanging out with my fellow reptile enthusiasts, and really anyone who loves animals. You can't come to my house if you don't love them! The cat and the dog are attention whores and they won't leave you alone until you pet them.

I consider life without animals to be lacking...and somewhat boring. I love going to reptile shows and I try to go as often as I can. Even if it is just to look around. I like the people too! I love to meet new reptile people and talk about them. Most of my family thinks I am crazy...so its nice to have people to relate to.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I don't have a particular lifestyle, I am a married woman with a job, passion for photography and nature and who happens to own 2 dog and happen to breed snakes.

I am the average next door neighbor.

[Kodieh]

I feel that the community of BP owners is pretty sectional. I wouldn't want to call it elitist, but there are people who look down from the top of the mountain claiming they were here first: respect me.

And that kind of attitude just fractures the community. I would apply the term sectionalism, but it's pretty personality based. Some people hate new people, and are concerned about themselves over education.

Other than that, I'd say like everyone else it's pretty individualistic. The first REAL unity I've seen in the community came with the recent Ohio SB and snake ban. But, even then, sectionalism divided us by who supported USARK and who thought they should be tossed in favor of...well, honestly I never heard their ideas as to an alternative to USARK, but you get the point.

Me personally, I'm into computers. Build, hardware, software, coding etc. the works! But, I dress like that drop out metal kid with long hair. it's all individualistic but I do know what you're describing with dogs. I love my GSD.



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[MrLang]

Definitely just a hobby for me... and a great way to spend the day on the internet at work in terms of my involvement with the culture of it.

The attachment to a reptile is very different from that of a dog. That's the biggest difference you're going to find.
And the cost... which ties in with impulsivity.

I had a German Shephard growing up that was from a top quality show pair. It cost 1600 dollars and lived for over 12 years. Some people will spend that in a weekend on 1 snake to add to their collection of 20+. That snake will spend 90% of its time out of sight of the owner and not sharing affection or providing companionship. It's simply a different type of hobby.

Not particularly comparable is my final judgement.

[Valentine Pirate]

BPs in particular haven't changed my life, but actively pursuing herpetoculture has. I've always had pets around, but was never allowed to have anything "caged" (and a dog in a house is...?). Once I moved out I'd already been researching reptiles for three years, and decided to start off with a pair of BPs, they're colorful and easy. While I love my snakes and have many projects that I wish to work on, I want to get involved with species that don't have CBB animals readily available. Most reptiles and amphibians absolutely fascinate me, regardless of what it is, and once I get the swing of BP breeding I want to try getting a reverse trio of viper boas, or maybe a pair savu pythons. Who knows? I've noticed that I tend to gravitate more towards snakes, but I also hold an interest in keeping some lizards as pets (love those citrus bearded dragons, northern blue tongues, panther chams, etc.). I do spend a good deal of time handling/caring for my pets, but many times it's while I'm doing other household chores as well, and especially with the snakes it really doesn't take much time when it comes to maintenance. Our green iguana takes more care than the rest of my reptiles put together!

When it comes to culture reptile keepers are so varied that it's hard to really pin down something that ties in everyone, but there are definitely smaller groups that form when it comes to species specific topics (take bp.net, for example). You can't put everyone in a box, but in general you can see patterns. Lots of rhacodactylus keepers/breeders keep those kinds of geckos because they dislike dealing with bugs, some people prefer garters over other snakes because they don't have to be switched to rodents (worms and fish, I think), etc. One thing that really sets the reptile community apart is that we are MUCH more supportive of new keepers and breeders than the warm blooded breeding community (generalization, I know there are exceptions for certain circumstances). There's almost a clique feeling to a lot of the rat/ferret/hedgehog communities I browsed, and if you haven't mentored under this person and work with certain bloodlines from x breeder you can get your butt flamed the :cens0r: out of there. I understand the worry of pets ending up in shelters and whatnot, but I wholly believe that's the buyer's responsibility and fault rather than the breeder, but that's a different topic.

I also have to second that our biggest weakness is irresponsible keepers. In a hobby where so much is regulated on good/mostly bad press, it really hurts us when sensationalized accidents get out as stories, such as the recent article on the "killer ball python attacking a baby".

[Mike41793]

I feel that the community of BP owners is pretty sectional. I wouldn't want to call it elitist, but there are people who look down from the top of the mountain claiming they were here first: respect me.

And that kind of attitude just fractures the community. I would apply the term sectionalism, but it's pretty personality based. Some people hate new people, and are concerned about themselves over education.

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I actually completely disagree with you. I have not seen 1 bp.net veteran EVER talk down to a newbie or try to sound elitist. I mean sure theres times when some of us come off like that but its very rare. Like when a new person says in their first thread they dont have a t-stat and dont think they need one, then im ok with sounding like a bit of a know it all bc the animal is at risk.

I also have never seen anyone say or even hint to the fact that they hate new people and are only in it for themselves. Once again, some people may sorta show that kind of attitude every once in awhile but its rare. And i would honestly just attest that to their personality in life in general, not just in the herp community.

[MasonC2K]

My experience is that the "BP culture" is as varied and diverse as any culture can be. Owning BP's doesn't change your beliefs or your taste in movies. Having a bunch can certainly affect your schedule.

I will say that there are things that are very indicative of "Reptile Culture" as a whole. A better understanding of the animals for one thing causes you to watch nature shows more critically. Most Reptile people crucify Animal Planet for instance.

[Skittles1101]

I must say I think it's more of a "herp" community than just ball pythons. Ball pythons (and corns and such) are usually the "gateway drug" that starts it all. That's how it was with me anyways. I started out with one ball python, and now have a wide variety of other "unique" pets, although with breeding I'm mainly focusing on ball pythons.

There is DEFINITELY a lifestyle. Like every other hobby or love there are people you LOVE and people who irritate the snot out of you, but that's like any family too! The herp community to me is VERY supportive, but passion can sometimes come off as cockiness or rudeness, and sometimes even finger pointing sadly, but that comes with any passion!

I've met some of the most interesting and amazing people I've ever met through the herp community, and I never would have met them if I didn't get involved a year and a half ago. I continue to meet people and form these bonds that I don't have with anyone else. Sure, my friends and family sometimes "like" my snake and tarantula pictures on facebook, but they don't appreciate them the way my herp friends do. There's nothing better than catching a good photo or bringing home a new addition and having someone else be genuinely as excited about it as you are.

This community is priceless. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

[TerrieL]

I also don't think there is an established BP culture. I am the normal middle aged lady next door. I am an Icu RN and people are surprised to find out when I am not working at the hospital I train and compete with police dogs. They are even more surprised to hear bout my interest in ball pythons. I think that non reptile people think that reptile people have a different culture and seem surprised to learn we are just normal people with different hobbies

Just my 2 cents

[Guiding Golden]

Most Reptile people crucify Animal Planet for instance.

I remember reading this somewhere else on this forum. Would someone mind elaborating on the subject a little for me?