Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Mystery man. Breeder of goannas. A guy whos got some lizard ranch in the desert.
Really though. I know some of you are personally acquainted with Mr. Retes, but for the rest of us, who dont know didly except what I mentioned above, who is he? Ive been to the Goanna Ranch website, and all there is is a pricelist. No cool info about how long Franks been breeding, what research hes involved in, what his first monitor breeding sucsess was, how many times he screwed up royaly, or any other cool info. that people can really learn from. Whats the deal? Hes not that secretive is he? After all those years of working with these critters hes gotta have a plethera of priceless stories, and knowledge to share. Where is it all? Some one point me to the treasure chest!
Mark, maybe?? Spill it! Come on, do it for humanity!!!

Cheers!
Michelle

He may be a little headstrong sometimes, but it really doesn't matter. He has no obligation what so ever to give info, but choses to do so for those that actually have a brain and think for themselves. He helps people who are actually working on improving their monitors enviroment and reach life events. Think about it, if you were doing this for years, and every year people ask the same questions (how do I potty train my monitor, how long do I need to soak it for, where do I find a leash for it, "my savannah monitor is on astroturf with some kind of light and a bowl for him to soak, so why isn't it eating?", etc....) anyone would develop some kind of attitude. People are really not willing to look for info on their own. They ask the same questions every year without even looking for 5 minutes. Hell, almost every answer that could be asked has been answered on the old forum archives. This is what I have to say about anyone following him. Those are the people that are actually doing the work, hauling hundreds of pounds of dirt, making sure temp gradients are at a good range, seeing how active and what stages the animals are going through and feeding accordingly. Which all equals out to the fact that those people are the ones who are hatching monitors. Which is the only thing this should be about, the monitors, not peoples feelings. With all these people having savannahs for all these years, why is it that not one person on here with them has shown breeding, eggs, and monitors hatching? These are the people that don't get what he is trying to say, and slam him for being "rude". I think it goes back to the fact that they make it about people and their feelings, not the monitors needs. Hope this gives you something to think about. -Jeff

Yeah he does give good advice, but he makes newbies feel inadequate by overwhelming them. The whole think, think, think thing is all franks words. You can think and not have to mention it. Makes me think ie, such emphasis is maybe lack thereof. And people who give good advice should not be questioned of their experience. If its good advice its good advice! Maybe you veterans should be more proactive in answering newbie questions, then maybe I'll leave this alone and by the way I haul dirt too. Possibly more than you.

you can't really say that good advice should be taken as good advice regardless of the "advisor's" expereience. Without experience, I might give great advice on the care of b.c.c (redtail boas) one day, and then due to my relative inexperience with this animal, give horrible advice the next day. With the husbandry of our animals, we have to be very careful who's "good advice" we take. JUst my thoughts.
Cheers
Michael

a young man a few subject below on ackies and there "proper husbandry requirements". It might sound good if you didn't know that he had been asking for help on keeping a neonate a few days before. All I am saying is that you have to be careful who's "good advice" you take.
Cheers
Michael

nm

oops I mean sirdigalot, or whatever you call yourself this minute.

How do you/they know it's good advice without knowing their experience? Because it came from a website? a book? I have found most simple answers to be misleading, thinking works better.

People may respond to whatever posts they want, why not use your posting skills and you can respond yourself if it upsets you so much?

The end result is 95% of the people that post asking for advice are just looking for reassurance that they are doing the right thing, they do not want to and will not listen to anything otherwise. The other 5% will eventually find the right answers with or without advice. It has been shown over and over in the last two years that I have been here and even longer in the archives.

--Robert

P.S. Calling people spineless and posting your rants under a new screen name every five minutes is pretty ironic.

What the heck does this have to do with me?

n/p

.

I could care less.I'm not going to convince anyone otherwise. You guys remind of people I've done business with in the past lol. Lucky for me I'm not in the reptile business. Thanks for not answering my email robert. Here I'll make up something JT is FR. They have the same IPs. IPs never lie.

Sorry if that's not what you are trying to achieve. Its got nothing to do with overwhelming anybody. It has to do with basically growing up and being responsible. The whole "think, think" thing isn't anybody's words, if you can't think for yourself and observe your monitors, and adjust acordingly, then I say you have no business in keeping them. All the answers to these questions that have been repeated and repeated hundreds of times are all available by either doing a forum archive search, or a google search. It seems like noone wants to get off their ass and actually do some research for themselves. Sit on here for a year, and you'll see what I mean. You will see a question like "how hot do I need to keep my savannah", then scroll down a bit, and there is the same question, then down more, same thing again, over and over again. The problem is that even when the info is available, and has been proven over and over again people still want to fight it, or come out and say someone is being rude, when they are just telling it like it is. I feel that a lot of people are here not becuase they have a love for monitors, but more as they just have something to show off to feel accepted, and are never really going to get serious about working with them. They will just come her to chat, mabey and I mean mabey post a pic of their monitor, usually not in the enclosure, add some kind of catchy little saying at the bottom of their posts, or even list all their other monitors and reptiles they own. If people would stop complaining about someone being rude, and start listening and improving their monitors lives, there would be more people hatching them than killing them. Somthing to think about.

By the way, why did you change your screen name a couple lines down, then act like you knew nothing about it? IP adresses never lie!! -Jeff

n/p

Michelle asked me if I know of fr - my thoughts of him are well known and do not need to be explained here, again. All has been said that needs to be said....
cheers,
mbayless

Good excuses are when uninformed people are rude to you first. Or, when people say and do things that are completely unfounded. Or, when people says things on the internet that they do not have the intestinal fortitude to say in person, does this sound like you? Or when people who think they know it all, but are afraid to actually look and see if what they know is right, then make up stuff. Yes rude is what these types of people deserve. After all, this is only a forum, it is not a formal meeting. But simply a group of people with (hopefully) common interests.

Most of the people here, care about captive living monitors. Not papers written from 100 years ago. Or papers about things that cannot help them. Or papers they have no ability to understand. They don't care why taxonimist have the names all goofy, they merely want the names to be of use. They want to read a scientific name, and have it reflect what it is and what its related to. Rude is not understanding this.

You have a large collection of monitor related information, a library if you will. That would make you the librarian. What may be rude is, you may not be a good one. A good librarian leads people to information that is useful, not information that is not. Its really very simple. Its not even about whether its right or wrong, its about being useful. A librarian is not suppose to interpit the papers, they are only suppose to help you find the books and papers on the subject of interest. For instance, if a person is interested in breeding a particular species, then a good librarian would lead them to a articule that contains information that led to the success of breeding that animal. Not to a website or paper, that did not lead to successful reproduction. Yes, that is rude.

I do understand that "Words cut like a knife" is a metaphor. The truth is, a knife cuts like a knife. And words on the internet are only words on the internet. I am rude because I am not interested in people who believe "words on the internet". I am interested in people who read these words and use them to further investigate the reality of those words. Yup I am rude. I am interested in the reality of words, not the words themselves. Yes, I am interested in the reality of monitors, not the theory or words of monitors. For these forums, I am interested in the reality of monitors in captivity. Not what a Monitor eats in nature. But instead, what a monitor will succeed on here in captivity. Do you see the difference?

If these things make me "Rude" then I am rude. Whats your excuse? F

This forum has multiple purposes and benefits from a variety of people, ideas, approaches, and angles. The things it does not benefit from are arrogant, belligerant people; people who provided censored, misleading information; and trolls.

Mark provides references to a variety of information. If you look at the introduction to the monitor forum, it states, "welcome to the Monitor Forum. Here you may post messages or questions pertaining to all aspects and issues regarding the keeping, breeding, health, and conservation of Monitor lizards." Mark's information falls under these parameters, and Mark provides references (and sometimes actual articles if you ask him to send them to you and ask nicely). Unlike others who essentially insist "do it my way or you are wrong, too new, naive, stupid, etc." he provides information for others to read. Sometimes he summarizes said information when that would be the most efficient, but in most (all?) cases offers the opportunity for actual references. It is one aspect of monitor information, and is of interest to quite a few people on this forum.

It is rude to assume that since the information is of no use or interest to you, that it is of no use or interest to others on this forum.

You make a very good point, thanks. But you make it for me. RIGHT or WRONG, I too am entitled to my view. Is that not true???

If I happen to think many of his references are misguided, then that is indeed my opinion. Also, if people respect my opinion because of my actual experience with monitors, then that is the forum in action. If I am wrong, then so be it.

I am not the one who called the other a liar, he was, But he was too lazy to actually look and see if I was lying or not. Now that is passed, I have proved a thousand times over what has happened here. But when hes asked for support, the subject gets changed. Perfect.

You have shown that you breed that pair of waters, that is great. What do you think of a person that refuses to support their experiences(the ones they post). You did, why not they. All I ever asked was support for posts. I ask that from all people. Those who do not support their posts are hiding something. Am I wrong? F

omg

I can only say that the few times I've e-mailed Frank with questions(about turtles and tortoises, not monitors) he's been extremely polite and informative in his replies. You're just another troll trying to start something.

If you really cared, I would tell you. You do not, and I do not wish to waste my time with your banter more than I have. Michelle Asked me a question, I answered her.

Sorry mkbay. You're too kind. I wouldn't call it banter.

Hi,
Life is too short to waste on detritus like him...I have a whole lot of other words that better describe my feelings than 'banter', believe me...but like I said, I don't want to waste my time with his kind muck.

thanx,
mbayless

As they say in the old west, "Lunger, I will be your huckleberry"

Just so you don't take that wrong. My bullets are my monitors successes. Understanding that, you are so filled with holes. hahahahahahahahahhaha silly old man. Good day F

Yours are looking good. Are you keeping them together? Have kept mine seperate to avoid stress.
Robert

hahahahahahaha, I am a private person, who works with monitors at this time(always subject to change). I have worked with them since 91. I do not think of myself as a monitor guy or monitor specialist. I have kept and bred reptiles since 1962 continously until the present. I am not a public institution.

I feel no need to help anyone. But, I do enjoy when someone wants to learn and actually does.

I use to post here all the time and share my experiences, but I stopped because it seems more people want to fight then share or learn. I do not want to be or believe I am responsible for teaching newbies. I simply never had the mindset that many do. I have always had field experience to go by.

I am a born and raised, field herper, I enjoy and respect wild reptiles. I have totally different feelings and experiences with captive then I do with wild monitors.

I have spend about 1 1/2 years looking at monitors in the field. I was fortunate enough to see many species, including several undiscribed species. I have witnessed all parts of their lifecycles. I also compared the natural monitors to what we are doing here.

I did not name me goannaman, the owner of Vivarium did when he wrote a series of articules in the mid ninties. I did name our place goanna ranch. My property is zoned as suburban ranch and I ranch goannas, so the name fits.

I still post day to day experiences on another forum. For instance, this year I photoed documented a local female Magisters scaly go thru three reproductive cycles. She is wild, but will eat out of my hands and will jump up and sit on me. I also posted many monitor events as well.

I use to feel some need to help others, but that has long pasted. I still may help people who genuinely want to learn. Oh, they also must know how to learn. Gone are the days of trying to help people who attack me.

I am not a people person, but I really enjoy some people. I moved out into the desert to get away from people.

I do not like people prying into my business, in that I feel I am normal. I do not like people telling me what I should keep and what I should not, In that I am again normal. I sell offspring, but I do not think I am a dealer. I never sell WC reptiles. If I produce lots, then I sell lots. My biggist problem is, I want to keep all the nice monitors I hatch. I also understand the difference between, Art and painting, and how that applies to all walks of life. Thanks for the oppertunity to explain myself. F

Frank Retes you sound like a well read and experianced individual. I have just recently began my monitor experiance and would love to chat with you away from all these problematic people. I have bred a few lizards(beardies,leos,fire skinks,water dragons,and a few I can no longer remember the scintific name for) and the odd boa(rough scaled and kenyan sand boas). I think that is doing very well I'am only 19. But I'am smart and read alot. I was thinking about some red ackies for my next monitor addition. I hear they are lots of fun. I hope you catch this I really want some experianced people too run ideas and observations off of. Too much to say at one time.

But, I feel like I understand you alot more. The last couple stanzas that you wrote really explain alot. Jaded, mabey. The human race is a piculiar one. Animal behaviour doesnt lie.(for the most part anyways. I used to have a dog that would tail wag and lick someone just to gain anough trust to attack- a more human action in my opinion). Anyways, it was nice to hear from ya a bit below that rough exterior!

Really though, you should publish a little book or something. I would buy it, and Im sure a couple other people would too.

All the best,
Michelle

If you look up you will understand why I am private and rough and keep my stuff to myself.

Yes I am offensive, but should I be? Look around. I do think differently then most here, also, my results are different then most here. So what am I to do? tell them what they want to hear? if I do not, I am rude. In this the problem lies.

If you are asking me questions based on my success. Concerning a failure of your monitors. Then I believe in most cases the responce will not show you in good lite. But the question was not about you, it was about monitors. So until the people here grow enough to understand its about monitors, then I will stay a rare poster on this forum.

I post on varanus.net, I show lots of pics and rudeness is not allowed, not even by me. That is fine with me. If you want my experinces then go there. I come here at times because a little internet rudeness never hurt anyone.

I also do not like it when lots of posts start with FR, i shy away from that. F

You know f, you keep mentioning the fact that it's "all about monitors". and I hope thats true. But have you noticed how many times you say "I"?

You could at least use the same screen name if you are too cowardly to use your real name.

Kingsnake, just blocked me from logging in with my screen name. Also what makes you think, I'm a coward? Are you really brave? my hero?

I have known Frank for some time now, and an egomaniac is the LAST thing he could ever be. He has shared so much knowledge with so many (those willing/able to listen/learn) that it is astounding, myself included. Sure, he turned monitor husbandry up on its ass, but look how many people are regularly breeding monitors now. That is largely (if not entirely) his doing. Heck, even Benett has to redo his book since he went to visit Frank. OK, he's not the most diplomatic fellow on the planet, but like he said, he's been attacked by so many goobers on this forum (as I've seen for way too many years)that diplomacy is no longer warrented. So maybe once you get yer sav off its hot rock and into a cage with something other than cedar shavings then you might catch a glimpse of what he has to offer those willing to consider that there might be a better way than feeding the nile hambuger and dog food, trying to toilet train the salvator or taming the croc monitor til ya can feed it from yer lips. Just an opinion, of course!

Guy

about 2 or 3 years ago in Reptiles magazine. I have it somewhere, i'll try and dig it up.

Oh well...maybe someother time.

Cheers, and all the best,
Michelle

Hmmmmm, this sounds silly, but, why would you need an interview or an articule, when the object of those is sitting right in front of you. Me, I am right here.

Is your belief in the published word, stronger then the real thing?

Personally I do not recomend those articules. I don't because they were done in 93 to 94(in that range) At that time, I only had a few years experience. I was, hmmmmmmmm, a newbie. I was a good newbie, but a newbie all the same. (could have been luck)

Actually its a wonder to me, why they beat down my door for interviews then, and not now. I actually have experience now. People are all too funny.

There were several reasons. One was the novelity. "A old colubrid and python breeder" takes on the old fashion establishment of monitor keepers"the last group of reptiles to, not be bred regularly)(that was actually in print, monitors cannot be bred in captivity, for yada, yada, yada, reasons)" And quickly and cleanly turns their world unsidedown(which is the real reason Mister Mark hates me) Which means, it was news. Secondly, the magazines thought it was very marketable. look at all the new things the sponsors could advertise. The problem arose when I did not use any of the marketed items. I was approched by the UV lite fellas, the vitayum fellas, etc. But when I said, I do not use or recomend those, I was simply of no use. Did u ever look at each articule, each has all related advertisers, on the same pages. But Frank, you need to take out a full or half page add, we will put it on the same page and you will sell millions and millions of monitors. The problem is, I don't make that many.

Now, why did you want those articules??? F

Seems youve really good at opening peoples eyes...namely, my own. I guess I was kind of intimitdated to approach you directly, but Ill take that as an invite. Thank you. I never really thought of the fact that these magazines, and publications have to get their money from somewhere, and it surely doesnt come from subscribers. I guess most everyone has a price. I commend you for not "selling out". Reminds me of my college selling the book store to a very large corporation...now many texts are marked as much as 5% ABOVE suggested retail! -And nearly EVERY semester they get in new editions...the only difference being an extra pic, or chapter re-arangements. Whose scratching whose back???

Thanks for keeping it real.

All the best,
Michelle

There is a whole world of really great reptile people outside of these forums. The forums tend to bring out the worst in people, maybe because not seeing a persons facial expressions makes it tough to determine the tone of the conversation.
Frank is really a good guy with a ton of experience and will share that with anyone who listens.
There was a time when many "experts" called him a liar and said his husbandry techniques would kill the animals. Now those same "experts" are literally quoting him as if they have made the discoveries on their own.
High basking temps, thermal gradients, "Retes" stacks, deep substrate, social groups, pair bonding, etc are things we take for granted as minimal husbandry. You can thank Frank for that, before it was 90f, hide box, newspaper substrate, and a dead monitor in a couple years.
He has helped more "newbies" and their monitors than most of the "experts" combined.
In Daytona we had dinner every night with at least 10 people, some very big names in reptiles. It was a blast to listen to their stories, not just regurgitated info that anyone can find, but real life experiences from the field, and with their captive animals.
The biggest problem with Frank is shutting him up once he gets going.

Hey Frank
I'm gonna take your comment as an invitation for questions and since i value your opinion over anything else i've found on the internet as of yet, i've got one for you. I'm really into australian sand monitors and i'd really appreciate any advice you could give on raising babies. i.e. substrate (impaction is a nightmare of mine), bask temps, group interactions, and that creepy theory that young monitors "assume" their gender through external social factors and are not born as males/females. Thanks for your time!
Todd
naturalmysticherps@yahoo.com

I am back and want to put what I believe is VERY accurate. I haven't posted since my post which caused alot of useless excess here. Nevermind that and let's move to the now. What I have come to the conclusion of is that he is not what some have perceivably insinuate through denotation.(not particularly meaning you bengalensis, others more or less)

From what I have gotten through what ever means and spoken to whatever EXTREMELY reputable individuals, I have to say that he is a very knowledgeable and sincere esp. when it comes to the lizards we favor, the monitor lizard. Try not to bash what you believe until you can truthfully do the things they have done. That is if you know of course what they have done. Research is out there and you can pretty much solve all your probs based on reading the scripts that are available, not to mention those through means of Kingsnake.com.

TaKe it easy everyone,

DON'T THINK I HAVE LEFT!!!!

I'LL BE BOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!