I'm with you. I moved to San Diego two years ago and got interested in learning how to find rosy boas. I could have bought rosys from a breeder for MUCH less than the cost of the gas I burned learning where, when and how to find them. What I wanted most was to understand all the subtle interactions between the animal and its environment. What factors influence when a rosy will come out? Humidity? Moon phase? Barometric pressure? Are they found on level areas or inclines? Near rocks, bushes, rodent holes? When I find rosys, what are the other animlas doing? Are food animals out, predators? Now that I've earned the knowledge, a rosy boa is a proud accomplishment and a reflection of my knowledge and skill, and not just a cool think I bought. I too would really encourage people to give themselves a chance to get addicted to the hunt, and the understanding of the whole ecosystem.

Some people like to go fishing, and some people like to keep tropical aquariums. I'm a field herper, but I don't think there's anyting wrong with people who just want to buy and collect albinos. It's a totally different hobby. I don't see the attraction, but maybe to them field herping is all about wasting time, wasting money, and getting stickers in your socks.

Now that I'm good at finding rosys, I think I'll head up into the local mountains next spring and learn how to find California mountain kingsnakes. I'm clueless about those guys.

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• Here are some reports for the fieldherpers.... - TxHerper, Thu Sep 8 21:15:58 2005
• Japan Part I.... - TxHerper, Thu Sep 8 21:30:30 2005
• Congratulations Shane... - jfirneno, Fri Sep 9 10:51:34 2005
• John! - TxHerper, Fri Sep 9 12:32:56 2005
• That's too bad Shane... - jfirneno, Fri Sep 9 13:18:01 2005
• Ouch.... - TxHerper, Fri Sep 9 14:55:43 2005
• Japan part II - TxHerper, Thu Sep 8 21:42:20 2005
• Japan part III...a few days ago.... - TxHerper, Thu Sep 8 21:57:53 2005
• Great post.... - ratsnakehaven, Fri Sep 9 17:03:27 2005
• RE: Great post.... - TxHerper, Sat Sep 10 11:31:04 2005
• RE: Great post.... - ratsnakehaven, Sat Sep 10 13:39:35 2005
• My advice to many of you.... - TxHerper, Thu Sep 8 22:12:16 2005
• RE: My advice to many of you.... - Carmichael, Fri Sep 9 10:13:19 2005
• RE: My advice to many of you.... - TxHerper, Fri Sep 9 11:11:41 2005
• RE: My advice to many of you.... - chris_mcmartin, Fri Sep 9 12:27:22 2005
• RE: My advice to many of you.... - freediver, Fri Sep 16 11:51:25 2005
• Amazing photos and animals Shane...... - BPO, Fri Sep 9 00:43:25 2005
• RE: Amazing photos and animals Shane...... - TxHerper, Fri Sep 9 09:51:46 2005
• RE: Amazing photos and animals Shane...... - dewittg, Fri Sep 9 10:33:56 2005
• Your doing a good job..... - BPO, Fri Sep 9 17:25:02 2005
• RE: Your doing a good job..... - TxHerper, Sat Sep 10 11:40:47 2005
• RE: Here are some reports for the fieldherpers.... - lateralis, Fri Sep 9 23:03:03 2005
• RE: Here are some reports for the fieldherpers.... - TxHerper, Sat Sep 10 11:57:01 2005
• Absolutely fantastic! - Mark Banczak, Sat Sep 10 09:25:21 2005
• RE: Here are some reports for the fieldherpers.... - Aaron, Thu Sep 15 11:59:21 2005