"Less than seasoned" snake owners

[Skiploder]

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.

Here are some general rules to abide by when answering questions:

If you've read about something that works - resist the urge to post.

If you've been practicing something for a short period of time and are ASSuming it works - resist the urge to post.

If you've been practicing something for a long period of time, have had long term success with it - share it with the group.

If you practiced something for a long period of time and it worked, but no longer practice it - discuss it as a viable option.

Refrain from discussing anything you aren't 100% familiar or experienced with.

Then a lot of bad information and confusion will cease to exist.

People who never have done something, people who parrot bad advice and people who seek to convert people to only one way of doing things just need to shut up.

In most cases, there are many effective ways to meet the husbandry requirements of most captive reptiles. If you are intent in making sure everyone does things your way and your way only...then you better make sure you've got thick skin.

Remember - many of the things people advise against doing can be done...they just may take more skill and experience. That does not mean you can't do it.

When you aren't talking to someone face to face, it's very hard to determine tone, humor, etc. This makes forums prime breeding ground for a lot of bruised egos and hurt feelings. Any emotional or interpersonal baggage tends to come out fairly quickly.

People often perceive insult where there is none, mainly because of insecurity.

Likewise people often get deeply hurt because they bring their low self esteem to the forum.

The best advice I can give you is to refrain from talking when you don't have something to say.

Refrain from talking unless you are sure about what you're talking about...and leave your emotional baggage at home.

..and refrain from ASSuming your snake likes anything other than being properly kept and cared for.