Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello

I watched the Animal Planet/Discovery Channel show 'The Big Squeeze' yesterday....thinking possibly they'd show some beautiful animals, maybe something on reptile hobby.

But, of course, they go for the dramatic, 'scare-factor' material, showing reproduced handler mistakes and close calls, i.e. 'could this python/boa really eat a human?....'

It's too bad, I had my 5yo watching with me, hoping he could view with pleasure the animals I enjoy watching.

Maybe someday, someone would create a show or special, just holding/displaying animals similar to these beautiful specimens that are posted from time-to-time below. Either show captive bred animals with somewhat docile disposition interacting with humans, or even just observing the large constrictors in nature.

Maybe that type of show just wouldn't make money. Too bad.
I suppose the best I can wait for are snipits of CrocHunter, Corwin and Austin Stevens with minimal boa/python coverage.
Some boa/python good press would be refreshing.

I am going to have to agree with you. I have been known to sit thruogh hours of those shows just in hopes of them coming across adn showing some form of boa or python. The most current one to my memory was the Austin guy a few days ago when he had a special on Green Anacondas. In the first part he comes across a Peruvian Boa I think. The animal was basking on a branch that was overhanging the river. This maniac climbed the branch yanked it off the branch and jumped in the water with it to make it look like a struggle. Now he pulls it out of the water puts it on a tree branch closer to the ground and comments on how its upset and striking at him and how it probably didn't enjoy the swim. Now to a person that has never dealt with a boa the first impression given would be that they are vicious and highly agressive animals. I agree these shows go to far for drama and do not due the gentler species justice. How abotu a show where one of them goes on a tour of South America and shows us all the different localities and maybe even some natural behaviors. Sorry to rant but I wholly agree I am tired of watching 3 hours of programing to see 2 mins of misrepresentation when it finally does focus on a boa or python.

been there ,done that!
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IF YOU HAVE IT SHOW IT. IF YOU OWN IT FLAUNT IT!!

It went as far as saying that boas and pythons are dangerous "wild" animals that will never tame tame. This was part of the climactic conclusion that was meant to scare the begesus out of those that are not educated about boas and pythons. This type of publiciity is what leads to more ignorant laws concerning reptiles. The program did a diservice to herpoculture.
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Jared Douglas

SOMEONE SHOULD RIGHT A LETTER TO ANIMAL PLANET AND VOICE OUR DISAPROVAL AND WE SHOULD ALL SIGN IT AND IN THE SAME RESPECT SOMONE SHOULD PITCH A SHOW THAT SHOWS THE TRUE NATURE OF THESE GENTEL GIANTS
JUST MY OPINON
JOHN PERAZA

I watched it once before when it was on and the fake drama was just to much. This time I watched it for a few minutes and had to change the chanel.

It's all about the ratings....