New Snakes

[Michael823]

Alright, people are getting a little large in the head here. Common sense must be used, and having it is hardly worthy of bragging. Any animal should be left out of public stores like Wal-Wart, unless certified to enter. Especially a snake, and Boas and Pythons are even worse, when you consider that most stores are cooled to be air conditioned, and a place like Wal-Mart has produce, which snakes certainly should be kept away from IMO. Brandishing snakes is highly irresponsible, and doesn't give off the "cool" vibe that some might think. Walks around the block in warm temps is fine, but that provides you enough space to steer clear of those who may be deathly afraid, and gives the snake enough room to not feel cornered and threatened.

David - You've grown on some people, and have made excellent progress. But to brag about getting rep, being well known, etc... really sounds adolescent. I consider you a bright young man with lots of potential, but we all have lots to learn, and it's not flattering to hear you get a big head. I say this because I like you, not because I want to pick on you.

Ryan - You clearly know a lot about Boas, so why tarnish it with expressing a bad attitude. You have a lot to offer to the discussion as far as experience, knowledge, etc... and you will do much more of a service using those skills. Of course the conversation upsets you, as you just want the best for the snake, and hobby, but intimidation never works. BTW, does anyone else find it funny people accused Ryan of yelling ? I didn't hear a peep!

Carly - I would take the good advice given, and not get involved in the mud throwing. It is important to hear these things in a forum, than to deal with the after affects of what can go wrong. You may very well have learned a lot reading books, but personal experience is always more reliable.

That's all folks !

 

[Carinata]

Jim, my lord you must have had some sort of horrible youth snake experience. My mother only pays a very small amount of my snake stuff. I get $10 a week. LOL I mow lawns, wash cars, help out at my grandparents, help my dad at the race track. I am getting a job at the local aquarium shop when they open up in 2010.

 

[v_various]

Mom stopped giving me an allowance quite a while ago. I live in my own condo, which I pay the mortgage for, and I pay for all of my snakes needs. Enough with the youth bashing!

I think we are all well aware there are sane, thoughtful teenagers out there. I would hope any negative comments that were made were in reference to the fact the OP is disrespectful (she swore), makes things up ("a lot of people she knows carry around 15 foot burms"), is not concerned with the well being of her snake, and has the grammar and spelling of someone at much younger level.

As someone who isn't too old myself, I KNOW there is truth to the fact that age and experience can count for a lot. I'm not so sure the OP is experienced, and that doesn't have anything do to with her age.

Personally, I moved out at 17 with the money I saved from working through high school and a student loan. My parents helped me a bit, but I haven't asked for their help since I was 18. I got my first snake 3 years ago, and consider myself a novice when it comes to snakes. The OP should too, she needs to realize taking her snake to Walmart is wrong.

 

[Carinata]

Look Jim. There are lots of kids my age that run out get a BP and kill it in a few months. I have been at this 6 years. I deserve at least some sort of Kudos not just negative comment after negative comment. Would you rather me run around selling drugs and being in a gang? I am saying snakes keep me busy and I deserve at least some sort a respect at least for my age. But then again how many 15 year olds have Herald snakes and king rat snakes?

 

[Zulu3]

various,

i know what she did was wrong my point was that the people who responded were making broad generalizations, and i did try to tell her to listen and not swear much earlier in this thread. i don't even think she's looking at it anymore.

clearly she was in the wrong, as we have all been at one point or another but there is a polite and a rude way of going about telling someone they are making a mistake. And to pin it to ALL teenagers was really what got to me.

Anyway I think this thread has lost all purpose it could have had.

I just think we need to seriously consider how we treat new, young people to the snake world. Not chase them away from it when they make mistakes.

-Ali

 

[RyanR]

Look Jim. There are lots of kids my age that run out get a BP and kill it in a few months. I have been at this 6 years. I deserve at least some sort of Kudos not just negative comment after negative comment. Would you rather me run around selling drugs and being in a gang? I am saying snakes keep me busy and I deserve at least some sort a respect at least for my age. But then again how many 15 year olds have Herald snakes and king rat snakes?

Age, has nothing to do with you or anyone keeping certain species of snakes, it comes down to experience(which you lacked at the time.. possibly still do), willingness to learn(you also refused piles of great advice from some very experienced members), and where people stand financially. you act like like your some sort of expert, since you have managed to keep a king rat and a herald snake alive for a little while.
you keep "demanding" or implying that you DESERVE respect, truth is.. you'll get respect from people when you earn it, and you don't earn it just by keeping some rare snakes alive.. Sure, alot of people now respect you on this forum because you quit being a brick headed troll, and are better now.. but there will always be the people you rub the wrong way no matter how hard you try...

I never made a comment, or an attack towards you on this thread, yet you start the name calling "cry baby, child blah blah"... I don't care how YOU look at it, what I said was justified, I can't speak for anyone else, but I sure don't sugar coat comments towards people that have a blatant dis regard for our hobby... it wasn't just a simple mistake, it was taking a huge risk for no reason.. No gain to anyone, or the snake. So I fully stand behind what I said.

Don't expect me to be sorry for my opinion, its the great part of life, freedom of speech. I didn't swear, It wasn't an called for attack.

 

[Carinata]

SO you get to gloify freedom of speech whilst you crizicize my opinion....nice!

 

[Carinata]

I guess what I need to say is. You can say whatever you want about em. If it makes you feel better about you self go for it but I DON'T agree with the OP but I do think that you are a n00b killer. You just had like a Caniption fit! It was unclalled for. Mabye next time you should go about it in a more mature manor therefore giveing them a better feel to our community
*I have not just managed to keep a herald and king rat alive for a little while. The king rat I have had 6 months and the herald almost a year. They are both in the best care.

 

[pwargcm]

zulu, ill say sorry to the fact i said teens are thick headed. at the same time i didnt mean all. i myself know that boat. i moved out at 17 and moved back in at 19 so i could come and move closer to my brothers and other family again. im happy theres others like you that work hard and make it. its sure not easy i know that. but it wasnt a hit at all teens. but i did start out by giving nice calm advice. then she went off cussin at people because she knows people carrying 15 foot burms around. i know i could possibly see a person hauling that snake, possibly dragging it. but no person would carry that snake around a walmart. so with all her lies and stuff i could tell she was thick headed and not gonna take the advice either way. so i would say the toy comment wasnt necessary but at the same time a person wanting to have a baddie display animal should not have anything but rubber snakes. so sorry to zulu or anyone that took offense to that. its not a group of people in a whole, its just some.

snakemaster and the others keeping this thread alive. you guys are very off topic now. if you want to get into a fight over the internet (which fighting on the internet is pretty lame if you ask me), then do it over private messages. not everyone in this forum wants to read this garbage anymore. im on nobodies side here. im on the side of the snake being kept healthy.

 

[ArpeggioAngel]

Ok - both Ryan and David need to chill out. The back and forth arguing between the two of you is not benefitting this thread or the forum in general.

David - yes, you have come a long way on this forum. However, continuing to "brag" about having rare species etc, does not make you look good - it just makes you look like a braggart. Everyone knows what you have now, you don't need to keep throwing it in people's faces. It doesn't make you any smarter or better than anyone else here regardless of ages.

Ryan - while I understand your feelings about the OP, you really should have a little more finesse if you expect your points to be taken seriously and with consideration. Certainly you are entitled to your opinion, but if you want to get through to someone - attacking them about their decisions is usually only going to lead to more rebuttals vs. someone actually listening to what you have to say.

 

[Zulu3]

what patrick said x2.

 

[Kokopelli]

Well, My age didn't come with the in experience that yours did, I protested the fact that you were a beginner, getting a snake meant for EXPERTS.. How can you tell me a 9 foot boa is going to be fatal? 6'2 215 lbs at 17 years of age, I highly doubt a boa constrictor would be a lethal snake in my case, and also I had the experience and knowledge to house and keep my snakes properly, I have had snakes for 6 years PRIOR to the snake getting to that size, you on the other hand, Jump in with both feet and hope for the best, and when given advice, wave it off because you think your just the smartest person ever... Aren't you ALREADY having problems with your king rat? Whens the last time you seen me come begging for help because I messed up like everyone said I would?? you can't even come close to lecturing me on any part of this hobby.

and to call it a temper tantrum? Far from it, just stating the obvious stupidity that must be involved with taking a sub adult boa constrictor into a place where probably hundreds of people with irrational fears of snakes could be shopping.

What on -earth- is going on in this thread?
For God's sake, there are -so- many replies here that this thread could do without.

RyanR- your replies befit that of a teenager at best. I understand your frustration with her action, but that does not warrant that reply.
It's not about being stupid either, it is about what said keeper learned and experienced. If people bring pets to Wallmart, that's what they do there- I am not saying it's the best role model but if that's all the keeper knows, you can't expect said keeper will know what you know.
Your comment about BCI/BCC not being deadly is inaccurate, accidents and injuries happened with smaller snakes. Boas when compared to Pythons of the same length are thicker and have more muscle mass- this is not a snake to trifle with or disrespect. This is not a snake to be brought home lightly.

In my humble opinion, if you wish to teach others about adult common sense and behavior, you should set an example, rather than type the reply I would have expected from a frustrated 13 year old.

If you feel that a thread angers you that much, perhaps it's a sign that you should avoid replying in it- I assure you, nothing good will come out of your lashes. If I was the thread's opener, I'd be damned if I listened to someone who spoke so disrespectfully.

David- I really am sorry for saying this but you are still not in a position to teach others about novice actions. You've had your share, and still tend to argue when people who are more experienced than you and have nothing but your wellbeing (and the snake's, granted) at heart try to make you abandon all sorts of ... well, not so smart ideas.
You and others like you are the future of this hobby, and it does warm my heart to see you try and all... but your place is not to "teach".

I think I have a slight advantage... in Israel a big leap of "maturing" is very quick and it happens for most of us rather forcefully in the army. Since it was such an "abrupt" process, I think I today remember very vividly how frustrated I was with the whole attitude people had with "wait until you'll get older, things will be different".
I thought to myself at the time... why should time effect my beliefs, things I considered to be -facts-.
However, time proved me wrong... as you get older, your whole perspective changes, your whole moral and belief system is put to the test, refined and defined as the "new you" is being molded into shape.
People tend to lose touch with the "younger" way of thinking... which is ambitious, sometimes forceful and stubborn...but usually comes with the right intentions.

I saw quite a few mature people really berating the younger folk who replied... yes I get that, and yes I too get tired of it but... try to remember how each and every one of you probably drove your parents bonkers- or how you as a new keeper started out.

Age affects our way of thinking, our ability to make decisions and judge, a whole lot- in short. It's not necessarily relevant to basic husbandry- but consideration and ability to assess a situation effects everything to some degree- as it does here.
A more mature person could have perhaps put the welfare of the animal before his own desire to show off, or maybe learn more about the snake prior to getting it out of sense of commitment and responsibility- it's not always like that with teenagers.
You can all say "well, then they should be like that!". Yes, but "should" is a very loose word - and many of us do not abide to all the "should"s out there now do we?

This has been me, long winded and all.

What I am saying is this- the only way to get through to a new person is to offer guidelines kindly. If you try and torch the asker, that person will simply avoid the forums altogether and may end up missing out on essential info for him and the snake.

We cannot correct the world, nor shall we ever do so by being forceful with our opinions.
I know this community and to me, most, if not all of you- are examples of how a keeper should interact with fellow keepers.
For the sake of everyone involved and myself- if you feel that a thread peaked your temper -so- much... perhaps you should consider not replying at all...
And if you decide to do so... maybe try to put on the shoes of the thread's owner... maybe you'll see things differently?

Just my two, rather long, cents.

Oren.

 

[funnynonsense]

So during this whole squabble between all of you where did the OP disappear to?

 

[pwargcm]

So during this whole squabble between all of you where did the OP disappear to?

wal mart i reckon. just kidding. probably like most youngins left the boards because they were told they were wrong and felt mis-treated

 

[Kokopelli]

Can't say I wouldn't have done the same... and that's coming from a person who is rather open to learning from others.

 

[funnynonsense]

sad thing hey ladies and gents. Not the point of a forum like this at all. I read this forum every day. And its becoming more and more like days of our lifes.

 

[Carinata]

What ever. The OP should not take a snake to Wal mart. I am done with this thread. I have a corn coming in 2 days or so I need to get things ready

 

[pwargcm]

sad thing hey ladies and gents. Not the point of a forum like this at all. I read this forum every day. And its becoming more and more like days of our lifes.

yep. should be a way to take peoples rep points away if thats all theyre worried about. i noticed most regulars on this site are disappearing, that or theyre just lurking and not posting. its lonely now.

 

[funnynonsense]

yep. should be a way to take peoples rep points away if thats all theyre worried about. i noticed most regulars on this site are disappearing, that or theyre just lurking and not posting. its lonely now.

from the time i joined until now i've also noticed this. Maybe someone needs to step in and put a stop to all this childish behaviour. It's getting a bit much now, and i'm sure i'm not the only one being put off posting lately.

 

[CarlyEliz]

the only reason y my snake went to walmart with me was bcuz i didnt have anything to keep him in at the time! its not like he was in sight anyways. i have a big purse that zips shut that i kept him in. you r all being completely horrible just like every other snake person iv ever met. rubber snakes? not gona hear that. im a better snake keeper than alot of you im sure of it. all the money that iv gotten in the past 4 months has gone ONLY to my snakes the cage i was going to get was 2 cages that connected (BUT WERE SEPERATE) currently all my snakes except for 4 of my corns have their own cage and the reason they r not seperated is because i havent been able to get them all their own cage and they r all siblings so whatever. my red tail seems content in his rubbermaid he just ate a medium rat today (at the pet store he was fed 2 mouse fuzzys every few weeks so if u think im a bad owner u havent met alyssa costa) yea im 17 so? judge me cuz of my age and i dont want u posting here. im above others my age and im not gonna be treated like a lil kid