Through my part-time job and the herp society I'm a member of, I've seen all manner of abused animals that were the direct result of some idiot who purchased an animal without making the aforementioned lifetime committment. I even have several of these cast-off animals in my collection and some have even been in educational shows where I used them to demonstrate how bad things can happen when good animals meet stupid people. Unfortunately, as Frank mentions, the idiots are still going to go out and get whatever they want, and someone else will pay the price for their folly - almost always the animal in question. Anyway, I don't think there's anything wrong with taking someone to task if they're posting questions and coming across like they're going to be an irresponsible owner. If they've come to this online community for advice or to learn then they should be willing to take constructive criticism if it's obvious that they're going to be making a bad decision as the result of not doing their homework. All you can do is hope you get through to some of them.
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Matt Campbell

Animal Keeper, Small Mammal/Reptile House

Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, Illinois



Assistant Curator

Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm

Lake Forest, Illinois

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