Downers and Naysayers

[Aercadia]

/rant_begin

I'm sick of the negativity that seems to come along with unestablished herpers trying to make their way into the community. I'm one of them. I see too many posts where people tear each other down for no real reason, just because they can. Someone posts a pic of their snake and there's a urate visible in the picture? Better crucify them! Someone shares a pic of their beardie and there's something in the background that someone doesn't approve of? Let's get into a personal pissing contest about appropriate lifestyles!

Just get your first snake? Better not ask for advice, because everyone is going to snidely point you to a hundred resources to "teach thyself", since you obviously haven't done enough research if you're asking questions. Get a second snake? Better not post any pictures of it until you've had it in Q for 3 months or you're going to get an earful on proper handling techniques.

I mentioned to another breeder that my husband and I are new to breeding BPs and that we'd like to sell whatever we don't hold back (our dream collection), and was told essentially told that we were climbing onto a sinking ship. We didn't get into the business of breeding snakes to get rich, anyone can look around and see that the monetary aspect of the market is in decline as the animals become more popular and the availability is saturated... maybe it's just too much to expect anyone to congratulate us for finding a hobby that excites our interest in nature and wish us well on our first clutch, instead of telling us what fools we are for getting into a failing business.

It's so disheartening to watch the community that should have each others backs tear itself apart from the inside out. I realize there are outliers and exceptions, but most people who show enough interest in reptiles to acquire reptiles actually have an interest in caring for those reptiles, in such a way that they are happy and healthy. Why are so many people set on pointing out nothing but others' flaws? I understand helpful commentary, but when it's just being rude, belligerent, or naysaying, then why?? It's enough to make a person want to keep entirely to themselves, second-guess sharing anything, and refrain from participating in the community that should be their safety net.

/rant_end