Okay. Time to vent a little bit [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] Bear with me, I will probably rant and bounce around a lot.
In the past couple years (since Croc Hunter began) I have noticed a dramatic increase in the amount of captive venomous bites int he U.S. I am bombarded with headlines of "Man Bit by Pet Cobra" and "Local Man Pays Price for Deadly and Illegal Pet Viper." I will be the first to conciede that he (and others like him) have brought reptiles and particularly dangerous herps into the mainstream and has brought about a greater understanding of our scaly friends. That in turn, makes our lives easier. However, as a venomous keeper, I have a vested interest in this issue. I cannot tell you how many "kids" email me wanting to know if I will sell them a copperhead, what the best first venomous is, or if I can get a cobra for them. Every venomous education program has at least one kid saying "are you like the Crocadile Hunter?" or "Steve irwin doesn't need to use a hook." This brings a murky problem in a specific direction. The sad part is that with the acceptance of these animals, comes more people wanting to own them. Thus, there are inevitably going to be more bites. The sad part is, that it is not just kids. Many "adults" are delving into the world of venomous. Many with little or no experience with nonvenomous species. Whether it is for "macho-ism", a genuine interest, or another reason, is of little relevance. The point is that unqualified, iresposible, and untrained individuals are keeping inherently dangerous animals. I have many stories about his, but the one that Allen Hunter told me recently was a prime example. He was talking hots with a man who just got a Bush Viper (Atheris sp.). "Oh, what kind of Bush Viper" >"just a Bush Viper"< "Well, what is the latin name?" (As a point of reference, common names in venomous are very misleading as there are many names for one snake and the same name for many snakes: There are many species of Bush Viper) >"I don't know the Latin name"< "Well, do you know where to get antivenin?" >"OH, OF COURSE I DO!"< Imagine his suprise when he learned that there is NO ANTIVENIN for Atheris sp.! This is just one example of people keeping hot snakes with little or no knowledge about them. And along the same lines is the issue of Venomoids (venomous snakes who have had there venom glands removed or venom ducts severed). I have noticed a marked increase in the number of venomoids on the market. Right now on the Kingsnake Venomous Classifieds there are over a dozen ads for venomoids. This is a marked increase form 2 years ago when there was maybe one or two a month. Why? Because there is a market. Where there is a demand, they will produce a product. Do you think that the true venomous keepers are buying these snakes? I think not. Most find it an abomination of nature. The only logical conclusion is that they are being purchased by those who want to own a cobra or a Gaboon Viper, but do not have the skill to own a real hot. When Steve Irwin tails every single snake (including Back Mambas) he makes it look easy and safe. IT IS NOT EITHER! He has brought information about these creatures to the average american household. But he has also caused a major falacy. That these are easy snakes to work with. "I have had a ball python for 5 years now, I think I will move up to a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake." You may as well be writing on a tombstone. What this does is not only hurt the individual, but hurts the entire venomous community and the herp community as a whole. We have all seen how easily laws get passed banning herps. Alabama is a prime example. A kid went to a dealer and bought some hots. A Spitting Cobra got loose. Within 2 weeks there was a law passed in AL banning venomous reptiles. It happens before you can blink. If this trend continues, all herps will be banned in the U.S. and we will all be fugitives.
Now in all fairness, the blame is not squarely on Steve Irwins shoulders. There are other factors. The rise in venomous ownership will rise some with the increase of popularity of herps as pets. But not to this extent. As far as kids, some blame may be placed on the parents. Many use the TV as a babysitter and do not monitor what they are watching. But that is not a major part of the blame. After all, Lord knows I did things that my parents did not know about! A degree of blame can be placed on the responsible venomous keepers as a whole. There are two major types of hot keepers. Those that spend their time educating the public and those that isolate themselves. Perhaps the ones that isolate themselves are fearful of persecution, legal action, or some other reason. That is fine. I know people that keep illegal venomous. But I believe that when you begin to keep hots, it is your responsibility to educate. When you have a passion for killers (and it must be a passion for true herpers to do this) then you should want to teach as much as you can to public. This includes that Steve is NOT handling them right! It is dangerous and irresponsible. He must realize that he IS a hero to many people. Thus he must teach by example. He must take some responsibility. Just use a hook! That is all I ask.
This trend will continue unless something is done. I am not talking censorship. But there are things that we can do. Educate as much as you can. But if you don't know the answer, then admit it. There is nothing worse than passing false information. On my herping trip this weekend, I learned three things about specific species that I did not know. NOONE knows everything, so pretend like you do. As for the kids, it has to be education, there is no other way. I have not done a single educational program (venomous or nonvenomous) where I did not here "Are you like the Croc Hunter?" or "Steve Irwin doesn't use a hook!" They must understand that he is entertainment, nothing more. He offers the least information about species of any of the TV Herpers (Corwin, O'Shea, Nigel, etc.). Then coem the "adults." In my opinion these people are nothing more than 25 or 35 year old children wanting a cool "toy". These are the most dangerous. Unfortunately, you cannot shake them and yell "DON"T DO THST! WHAT ARE YOU, AN IDIOT?!?!? YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU ARE DOING OR WHAT YOU ARE GETTING INTO!!!" If we do that, they will just discard us a jerks and continue doing it, perhaps at that point out of spite or to prove that they can. You cannot make them understand the fundamental truth that if you keep venomous, you WILL get bit. Not if, but when. All we can do is try to educate them. If not for thier safety, for ours a herp loving community. Anyone who wants to keep hots, should read the article, Bitten By The Big One on
www.VenomousReptiles.org That will change many minds. The bottom lin: Education is the key. The herp community has many enemies and few allies. The Humane Society (herp enemy number 1), PETA and a few others are fomidable adveraries. And make no mistake, they hate us. They hate us with true passion. And they do have power. We have but one major ally, PIJAC (Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council). And I highly advise joining. If we do not educate, if parents do not get involved, and if Steve Irwin and his producers do not take some resonsibility and realize what they are promoting, our hobby will be a memory.
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