Quote Originally Posted by Gio View Post
That was an intelligent, well thought out response. Like I said before I like your enthusiasm and feel your heart is in the right place.

It's likely that some of the long time members here developed a concern over your quick start, and as mentioned above, your erratic threads raise eyebrows. The "Should I Or Shouldn't I?" post comes to mind. You made the right choice there by the way.

While this is a discussion board, sometimes posts like that sound a bit juvenile. I had mentioned that you should slow things down a while ago. You have over 2000 posts in just over a year and have acquired several animals in a short period. This is a fun hobby, but from the outside looking in, some may feel the fast start is a bit OCD. There are way too many people that go nuts over this hobby and then are out in 5 years. Very frequently it starts off how you are starting.

This is the internet so context is often overlooked and nobody can really judge the true tone of a post. You said this hobby is your way of life. That's fine, but THIS is just a hobby, don't put everything you have into it and neglect other areas, keep a balance in life.

I like this board and some off topic, casual discussion is fun, I prefer more biology oriented posts. If you are into your collection and not a breeder, set all your animals up properly and look for media that actually contains real scientific studies about your species. Understand the animals and their instincts. Instead of taking them out, watch them closely and observe their habits over long periods. Watch the behaviors that change with the seasons.

I hate to see you get hammered on this board, everybody should feel welcome, but some of your posts cause concern.

As far as your presentations go, I'd limit them. Rainbow, who is still a young snake, hasn't evolved over millions of years to continually be hauled around, touched and exposed. Honestly, you will shorten your snake's life by doing too many shows.

It's great to be an ambassador but you are no more than an enthusiast like most of us. Unless I'm missing something, you don't have a degree in biology or any long term experience with reptiles.

Owning a big snake for just over a year isn't enough to know the species. It takes years. There are too many people that get into the large species and become overwhelmed shortly into the experience. Where do those snakes go? Some breeders are pumping out hundreds a year. You may think you are helping the species, and in some cases you are, but also remember that seeing one big snake at a presentation doesn't provide anybody with enough information to know what they behave like over time. Any kid that suddenly becomes enamored with retics after a presentation and is dead set on getting one has been provided a disservice IMO.

I'm not saying you are ignorant, not by a long shot. You are very interested, and I do believe you are learning quickly, I just think from an outsider's point of view looking in, you seem a tad over the top.

I don't post as much as I used to here but I do like looking at pictures and reading interesting/informative threads.

You seem genuine, and good hearted and very willing to learn. Keep it simple and slow. Enjoy the hobby and other avenues of recreation.
Education? Well when others were watching cartoons at age 5 I wanted to watch things like Jacques Cousteau and National Geographic... this was the start of my love for animals and I read every book I could on animals for years..... When I first went to collage I was working on a biology degree. After 3 years I had some life things happens and redirected my life and went in the military. There I got a degree in Biomedical Engineering. Love what I do. I also have a second degree in Phycology. All through the years studying and working with any animal I could have an experience with. My life has been studying animals around me. I love snakes and that is why I chose to work with them. Reading and working with them are 2 completely different things. I grabbed several species to learn the differences hands on and how to provide for them and I spend hours studying their behavior and thought processes. Think of this as a hands on school for me. I know the respect then deserve. I know body language. I love how they problem solve. I enjoy helping others improve their care. I only hope that I help others make wiser decisions. I even have it in my will what happens to them if something happens to me.

I appreciate the advice. I also know what works for me and my animals. I blend the 2.

I even have a theory about ball pythons. Mine do better in the active part of the house. They eat better when I handle them more. Are mine unique? This is not recommended because they are shy? But works for me and my animals.

Also a theory about retic temps..... Rainbow has a range of 70 all the way up to 89. Her cage is huge and she moves and uses each temp zone at different times. Some say 70 is to cool but she loves it but also loves the 80 spot. just depends on what she wants to do.