Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In the Arabian Horse world they have what are called discovery farms where you can learn and ask questions and experience the day in the life of a owner.
I wish there was a program like that, in addition to forums. That way some people may get a better idea of whats involved. It's scary when someone ups and decides they want to purchase a certain animal that they have NO experience with and then start breeding it! Yeah I know it next to impossible, but I think it's a good idea
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In Loving Memory of the best Brother God gave me
Sgt. Arnold DuPlantier II
(Army National Guard, Charlie Rock Co.)
06/01/1979-06/22/2005
Support Our Troops

I'm sure if you just get in touch with a larger breeder they would have no trouble helping you out with anything you needed to know...and if they don't...you can always find another one that will
Most breeders will even let you come hang out for a day and check out all the snakes and most likely talk your ear off about them too....
Just talk to some...you'd be suprised at how open and generous most are about these things......good luck
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Luke Martin
Bronze Serpent Reptiles

My situation is that there are no big Breeders within a 500 mile radius, im in Sacramento. The closest breeder to me is Camlon. I have kept Balls long enough to know pet shops are BS and most of what is put in the book is BS as well, I don't claim to be a Pro. or anything like that, I learn something new everyday! I guess I feel comfortable knowing that if I give someone Tips or Info. I only do it on subjects I have personal Knowledge about. You can't guess on things with Snakes, and i would feel horrible if I gave wrong info based on a guess.
It happened to me one time, I worked in a Vet's office for 2 years and one day while outside at home I saw my neighbors dog get hit by a car. I checked the dog and everything was fine, he was limping though and I figured the lower part of the back leg was broken, but since I didnt get the normal reaction from a animal with a broken limb I told my neighbor it was probably fractured. She told me later it was a actual break. I felt really bad, but she knew I didn't blow her off and tell her to let him rest. I told her to get him to the Vet. rightr away.
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In Loving Memory of the best Brother God gave me
Sgt. Arnold DuPlantier II
(Army National Guard, Charlie Rock Co.)
06/01/1979-06/22/2005
Support Our Troops

what chris simone? he's in san jose.
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Greg Holland
GM HERPS
www.gmherps.com
gmherps@sbcglobal.net

I purchased a beautiful 3 lot of 05' girls, then I got a Double Ringer and then 0.2 sub-adults! He has been nothing but a big help and a wealth of information.
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In Loving Memory of the best Brother God gave me
Sgt. Arnold DuPlantier II
(Army National Guard, Charlie Rock Co.)
06/01/1979-06/22/2005
Support Our Troops

actually it's not impossible as I've done this myself to help out several people. What I've done is with all local sales I offer to allow people into my snake room during a day of cage cleaning and a feeding day so that they can see exactly what is involved on a daily and weekly basis. Most walk away with the animal with the knowledge of how to care for the animals correctly, but some just walk away. There is more care involved than some people are led to believe at pet stores especially when you have to set up just one cage with the proper environment (much easier when you can dedicate a whole room in my opinion). Doing this has helped me nearly prevent one disaster with a red spitting cobra and that is well worth my time. Unfortunately the man was able to purchase his snake over the internet and was bitten 2 weeks later but made a full recovery. Now I no longer work with venomous as I do not wish to add animals to the problem. However I do urge anyone that works with large or venomous snakes to be very careful whom they sale to as it effects us all. And to everyone else, with local sales, if you show a new commer the ropes they will be 100% more satisfied and will more then likely be return buyers when they are ready for your more expensive morphs.

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2.0 het pied (RDR, alan bosch)
1.1 het albino (ben siegel)
1.0 het citrus hypo(gulf coast line)
1.6 05 normal bp's
0.6 04 normal bp's
2.5 adult normal bp's (some need breeding to see if norm)
6 white eggs from pastel to norm breeding
4 various corns
1 brazilian rainbow boa (alan bosch)
1.0 american pit bull terrior
1.1 taco dogs (ankle biters)
1.0 grey cat

a BAD dog is MADE not bred, support the American Pit Bull Terrior as the greatest breed of dogs on Earth!!!!!

That is awesome to hear! Thank you for taking the time to educate your customers. just yesterday my Ex's sister came by to see if I had any tanks, and I happened to have one and as the kids came in they had Albino Burmese Pythons! Oh no is all I could think. She is really hard headed so I knew saying anything to her about the Burmese not being a good "starter" snake was a waste of time. I did drop facts about size and feeding. I bet in 6 months she'll be knocking on my door (more like banging) asking me if I want the pair. Her kids are 5-12 and I am more concerned about the snakes!
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In Loving Memory of the best Brother God gave me
Sgt. Arnold DuPlantier II
(Army National Guard, Charlie Rock Co.)
06/01/1979-06/22/2005
Support Our Troops

One of the stipulations for my helping with our local rescue is that I educate and do follow ups with everyone that I place their snakes with. I've kinda incorporated this into my personal local sales as well - most often potential buyers will get to see how to properly set up the cage and keep it clean, will get a chance to handle some of the various sizes of snakes as well as do a feeding or two (yep cheap labor). I give a little speach about everything from feedings and sheddings to how to handle escapes. I think it's extremely important that people know ahead of time what they are going to get into. I see too many sankes that people have grown tired of or abuse that come my way - one of the reasons I've not bred until this year - I didn't feel it was right to add to the situation.

OK off my soapbox -
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Tosha

"One of these days i am going to wake up..look around...and realize my place looks more like "Ace Venturas"s than my own." Coldthumb

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope John Paul "JP"
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.2 frogs rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.1 lizard rescued from vicious feline

There is not a formalized process, but there are regional herp societies with members who are willing to pass on their experiences. You just have to go where the breeders/herpers are. Developing relationships/friendships at regional/national shows is another way.
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Support your local herp society
www.chicagoherp.org

it's called friendship

you just have to live near someone with a brain

I know....

that can actually be difficult at times......

.......

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.........dog will hunt.......dog will hunt............

np
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In Loving Memory of the best Brother God gave me
Sgt. Arnold DuPlantier II
(Army National Guard, Charlie Rock Co.)
06/01/1979-06/22/2005
Support Our Troops