While I would never claim that reptiles are as "reactive" as mammals, I would say that a great number of reptiles are as interactive. Lizards, and at least Crocodilians & Tortoises can be trained to respond to vocal commands. While these animals don't seek out "attention", they can still be very attentive and engaging animals to be around.



I agree that POOR mammal keepers are more likely to be drawn in more by the cute factor, but good mammal keepers are alert and attentive of their charges. The mammal keepers who are most likely to have problems are probably those who treat the animals they keep, not as animals, but as "surrogate children". We can even see that with common domestic species, like dogs. I think if we were to look at the cases where snakes have killed their keepers, besides SFE's, keepers who anthropomorphised their reptiles, and did not respect them as reptiles are those that were the most likely to end up having problems with them.



With Fred Kaufman as the series "Fatal Attractions" executive Producer, its not meant to have any other angle then pushing for a ban and calling us all sick in the head, I am sure. They most certainly don't want any reasonable person on there saying ANYTHING positive about the keeping of exotic animals. He serves on the advisory board of The Humane Society of the United States Hollywood Division.



Its not about fair and rounded, and its not about representing anything real. Its about animal rights propaganda, fear tactics, slamming us, and discrediting exotic keepers as a whole.

[ Show Entire Thread ]