Posted by:
philfrank
at Wed Apr 26 10:12:47 2006 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by philfrank ]
This idea about "dirt bags" can be relative.
Some people think sound scientific research which requires vouchering of specimens is "dirt bag" in it's treatment of these animals. If animals are obtained to feed your livestock, this could be interpreted as "dirt bag" for those who have cobras and need rat snakes for their meals.
Others who collect for a living or for trade purposes are very often considered "dirt bag" in that they offend those who are in direct opposition with them like researches who don't want their area dispoiled, breeders who don't want to compete with wild caughts, or conservationist who insist people are invasive species.
I think to someone or another, we are all "dirt bags" somehow.
My beef is when someone is quick to appoint or think or react to a fellow herper with a "dirt bag" slant that this is one of the reasons this hobby is in such trouble. It is ,by far ,the most non-helpful and suspicious group I have seen. And it didn't used to be that way.
In the seventies and early eighties I used to visit herpetoculturalists by the scores and the information highway ran freely. I was even privy to an E.indigo breeder who had developed a half red snake back in the day when they were cheap and available. I saw keepers raising hatchling sea turtles for release. I saw Phelsuma breeders with more species than most herpers have ever heard of, all in one room! Island boas were available and the rarer ones were bred by a few, I even had some back then. In those days people were people and the trade was open and welcome. Then a few people got robbed and some even attacked. The greed net closed in and the hobby went nocturnal.
Maybe now it is inhabited by "dirt bags"
In defense I must say there are some very open and helpful herpers out there. These individuals are a great source of inspiration for those of you who whould like to see the "good 'ole days" of herping return. With the advent of laws closing in on almost every aspect of our hobby, we must be willing to oppose close mindedness and come together as a group to lobby for our rights and this requires one sightedness as well. The diverse interests of herpers should not be used as a tool for seperation, but as an invigorating tonic to season us into a delectable union of tremendous interest to all things intellegent.
Conservationists who will keep our wildlife fecund. Collectors to supply breeders and scientists. Scientists to discover new species and behaviors and breeders to tantalize the novice who will supply our future generations of Herpers.
Phil Frank
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I agreed, fellow dirtbags - philfrank, Wed Apr 26 10:12:47 2006