Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The question is often asked here and in other forums:
"Do you think I am ready to keep venomous reptiles?"
"What do I need to know to be ready to keep venomous reptiles?"
"Will you please tell my parents that I am ready to keep venomous reptiles?"
ETCETERA!!!
I am really amazed at this commentary on society.
Look at the vast majority of the posts on this and any other forum.
The profiles are hidden.
You can't be sure who is responding to you.
Any profile could consist of completely fabricated material.
The person responding could be giving you erroneous or malicious information.
The flip side is that we (the people previously discussed as profiles) don't know anything about you (the person asking the question).
You could be physically handicapped, mentally handicapped, emotionally handicapped, immature, irresponsible, psychotic, or any other combination of traits that would make you a poor candidate to keep venomous reptiles.
This particular question (any particular question relating to the topic line) has no business being asked or answered online. The people who come here later and say "Hey you guys were wrong, I am too ready." are just as wrong as they were to ask the question in the first place. We, as a whole, cannot judge whether someone can tie their own shoes from an online conversation, let alone, whether or not they have what it takes to manage a mamba or a garden slug.
In general, if you feel the need to ask the question online, then I have to say that you are NOT ready because you do not recognize the appropriate place or method to seek approval.
Just my own opinion.
Thanks for letting me share it.
Karl H. Betz

np

Well said...

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

Perfect example of a well thought out answer!

n/p
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"Fighting on the forums is like competing in the Special Olympics, even if you win, you're still retarded."

DH June 2005

Couldn't have said it better. Get a respected mentor and when they say you are ready think it over again.
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Tim Cole
www.Designeratrox.com/
www.AustinReptileService.net
www.AustinReptileExpo.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<
Conservation through Education

n/p
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Venomous snakes---best hobby on earth!
Bill Huseth

Exactly. But it works both ways. Just as a person may seek approval here before going online, is it fair to disapprove?

The person seeking approval coming across as wanting a hot for the wow factor may have simply used an inappropriate twist of phrase. That person may well be ready to begin the necessary training/learning/education or whatever might be fit to apply. Of course, there are those that are blatently obvious. And i have no objection to the warning off of the stereotype.

The main part of my expression below was not to say go out and buy a hot even if told not to by those online, or to undermine the opinions or experiences of those here. It was to suggest that other people may need to be approached on the matter - potential 'mentor' figuretypes - that may be in a better position to judge after swapping a few emails, a few phonecalls, and then eventually a few meetings.

All in all, there's no harm in spending some time with hots under a watchful well-informed eye. Even if you've never kept snakes. Even if you may never have a desire to keep them yourself. Even if you are 10 years old.

Still - there's nothing wrong with a healthy discussion of the matter. Even if it is tired. Aaron.