Randy, such a civilized post as yours is refreshing [in tone if not content], tho still... IMO.... unwarranted.
There are any number of topics on these forums that I find objectionable; from the blatant commercialization, to in-breeding indigos & various freak-morphs, to feeding captives endless sterile non native food, to housing ureasonable numbers of herps that never have a chance to hunt & crawl free...yahta-yahta...But what I try to refrain from... is attacking those who see things differently than I. This is a tough if not impossible hurdle for those who need & prefer to try to control what others do & think. I have privately expressed concerns to individuals at times when I thought something was illegal but I have never been the first to launch a web-wide condemnation of anyone.
My purpose in most of the photos I've had others post for me [Im too lazy to learn to do it yet again...] is to share a glimpse at what I am learning about regalis feeding habits. I keep accurate txt files & tabular data tables in this regard, as well as other life history information [Reproductive parameters, Temp preference, etc.] as can be gleaned from captives. There are post-doctoral students researching ophiophagous behavior. As a professional biologist myself, I am curious what factors are involved with our southwestern serpent community; this behavior is not as simple as a large fish eating a smaller one, there are clearly assessments made, defensive strategies deployed....interesting stuff to me & a handful of others.
Theres the bottom line, the webs big enough that if one doesnt like a particular persons post or interests, be a big boy & let it go. To go on the attack.... relating it to fetishes or whatever is a blatant aggressive attempt to control the content of the forum. I for one will slip a fang into such a meaty mess when time & my inclination allow!
John Gunn
Posted by: rhallman at Sat Sep 4 17:54:50 2004 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]
I wanted to address the previous criticisms and counters surrounding HerperHelmz various postings. This is meant as constructive criticism and not as an attack on any individual’s opinions or interests, including HerperHelmz. I hope to bring the civility back to such dialogues and I also offer that some of my observations are not unique to HerperHelmz.
To be fair HerperHelmz does place a very strong visual emphasis on snakes eating other snakes. Even his web site that solicits pictures states that he favors pics of herps eating herps. He has not presented a genuine interest in the natural history of feeding mechanisms, behaviors, patterns etc, as much as boasting of his snakes eating a variety of other snakes. I do not believe the enthusiasm at which he is feeding snakes to his Ringnecks mirrors their natural diet nor is it necessary or efficient to their captive husbandry. This does present his interest as more of a macabre fetish than a sincere hobby. I have also gotten the impression from his various posts that he collects very large lots of certain herp species as food items and to sell. I do not know where he is from but I know this is unlawful in most states, and most hobbyists and academics find it unethical. This is an impression and not an accusation of any actual unlawful actions.
The bottom is this. While I appreciate the few people including HerperHelmz who are advancing Ringnecks and other small snakes along side more commonly studied species, his sincerity and ethics as a herpetological hobbyist are being questioned by other users of these forums. He is in fact alienating himself from being the productive contributor he is seemingly striving to be. His alleged youth aside, with a more balanced, mature, and standard approach I am sure his contributions to our great hobby would be more numerous and visible. Perhaps Ringnecks lend themselves more to field herpetology than to captive propagation.
Randy
