"Less than seasoned" snake owners

[Eric Alan]

I don't know everything there is to know about animals, but when people ask for advice, I give them my personal opinion. Not a smart ass answer that just makes them feel stupid.

I'm sorry, but if you can't distinguish the difference between a serious husbandry question where relevant responses are appropriate and a question that is "less than critical" that generates a bit of good-natured humor (like the tickling post you referred to), then that's a you problem.

[MontyAndMelissa]

I'm sorry, but if you can't distinguish the difference between a serious husbandry question where relevant responses are appropriate and a question that is "less than critical" that generates a bit of good-natured humor (like the tickling post you referred to), then that's a you problem.

I can tell the difference, but there are some posts in which its not appropriate, ones where the owner is legitimately having a panic attack.

[Eric Alan]

What did people do when they owned snakes BEFORE there was the internet, or even books about snakes? They winged it.

It's not like everyone was stranded on their own deserted island before the internet - people had other ways to communicate with each other about best practices. I, for one, am glad that we've come a long way since that time.

[Lizardlicks]

Most snakes (that I've seen at least) won't venture near their owners face, unless they are slithering behind their neck for warmth. I know that when Monty is stressed out, he won't come near me, he will intentionally avoid me, even while I'm holding him. He will try to get away. If he is relaxed, he will slither behind my neck, and push his face against mine. (Cheek to cheek) and I know he is stress free. Monty is also usually face shy, but I know he's comfortable with me because I am the only one who can safely remove him from his tank and touch his head. Some things can be explained scientifically. But I also get the feeling that many of the "seasoned" snake owners here have done hours of research, own a few snakes, and think they know everything. What did people do when they owned snakes BEFORE there was the internet, or even books about snakes? They winged it. Just because you can type "ball python" into the google search engine, and click on a few links, doesn't mean you know everything about snakes. I went to school for 3 years for veterinary with an emphasis on herpetology, and an additional 2 for an emphasis on equine health. I don't know everything there is to know about animals, but when people ask for advice, I give them my personal opinion. Not a smart ass answer that just makes them feel stupid.

Yeah, we probably could tone down the smart ass stuff a bit, sometimes it's really hard not to go with the first "lol wut" knee jerk response to something that sounds totally off the wall.

That said, the things people did before there was google, forums, or... okay no, books have been around since forever, even if modern print hasn't, and people like to write down their experiences, so let's go with easily acquired print-- anyway, the things they did before that was, err, inadvertently shortened the lifespan of, or out right kill their snakes through inexperience and misinformation. Early herpetologists learned through trial and error and observation of wild populations. They wrote down what worked, and what didn't and in this day, we benefit not off of one person's opinion on what works for their personal collection, but the total, accumulated knowledge of decades of keepers, in the scientific sphere, the commercial breeding one and even the experienced home keeper. Heck, the amount of stuff that's changed in just the last decade alone is phenomenal! And now with the internet that knowledge is literally seconds away from your fingertips, if your google-fu is awesome enough.

We all do still have to start some where though, and no one is born being a perfect pet owner!

[MontyAndMelissa]

It's not like everyone was stranded on their own deserted island before the internet - people had other ways to communicate with each other about best practices. I, for one, am glad that we've come a long way since that time.

You can't send sarcasm through a smoke signal.

[Eric Alan]

Another fun fact is that the internet (as we know it today) and this hobby are approximately the same age. Both got their beginnings (the WWW and Bob Clark's albino) in the early 90s and have obviously come a long ways since then. There hasn't really been a time before the internet when it comes to ball python morphs. Ball pythons, sure, but no one really cared much about them before the morphs came along.

[DVirginiana]

Even if things sometimes get snippy on forums, I don't really come to them for knowledge-- I could get that from Google or the university library-- but the experience. If someone who's successfully owned and raised dozens and dozens of BPs tells me I should change something I usually at least give it a shot even if my methods have been working fine.

[Lizardlicks]

Another fun fact is that the internet (as we know it today) and this hobby are approximately the same age. Both got their beginnings (the WWW and Bob Clark's albino) in the early 90s and have obviously come a long ways since then. There hasn't really been a time before the internet when it comes to ball python morphs. Ball pythons, sure, but no one really cared much about them before the morphs came along.

I confess though, I've loved the normal beeps since I was a wee sprog before the internet, after I looked at all the pretty scaly babies in a reptile store in California. I didn't even know they came in so many colors until recently. I just couldn't get over their sweet puppy faces! ... Of course I kind of love EVERY sort of reptile, so take the as you will lol.

[KMG]

How frustrating do you think it is to see a new owner join the forum and then start giving half arse information about techniques they don't even use or have ever used? Or when they suggest a uth with a temp dial and don't even know what they are recommending or what a thermostat is?

Im not trying to be mean but want you to see that most times there is a reason people get snappy at certain things said here. It can be very frustrating for older users or more experienced owners to see a noob discount or discredit their advice or give bad information from their short time as a owner.

Every snake is different and so is every owner. We all have our own way of doing things but there are certain fundamentals that need to be kept and certain common practices help to do that., such as thermostats.

BTW, Most all of my snakes have ventured to my face and are not afraid of me. My GTP will climb all over my head and my bloods are drawn to my nose(their tongue's really tickle), and my BRB is the most curious snake I have and is always willing to check everything out.

[MontyAndMelissa]

How frustrating do you think it is to see a new owner join the forum and then start giving half arse information about techniques they don't even use or have ever used? Or when they suggest a uth with a temp dial and don't even know what they are recommending or what a thermostat is?

Im not trying to be mean but want you to see that most times there is a reason people get snappy at certain things said here. It can be very frustrating for older users or more experienced owners to see a noob discount or discredit their advice or give bad information from their short time as a owner.

Every snake is different and so is every owner. We all have our own way of doing things but there are certain fundamentals that need to be kept and certain common practices help to do that., such as thermostats.

BTW, Most all of my snakes have ventured to my face and are not afraid of me. My GTP will climb all over my head and my bloods are drawn to my nose(their tongue's really tickle), and my BRB is the most curious snake I have and is always willing to check everything out.

I don't remember ever saying that I've never used the techniques you're talking about, in 2004 we owned a RTB, and we used all kinds of techniques with her. She grew to be 7 feet and was the only snake I'd ever known that liked children. That's where my fascination started. I live in an area where certain things, that people suggest, aren't available, so i suggest options that I know are available to me, and I'm told they're moronic ideas (not from you, but from others as well). The only exotic animal vet near me is almost 80 miles away, and the nearest reptile pet store is 4 miles from the vet, so I try to come up with options that may be a little unorthodox, but work. The "pet store" near me (about 2 miles) sells small animals and normal pet supplies but nothing for reptiles, and in an emergency, sometimes ordering online isn't an option.