Biography on SCOTT BICE by Nicole Russell

[NicoleRussell]

A discussion with Scott Bice
By Nicole Russell



After planning an interview with Scott Bice (Mustangrde1) from website: The Reptile Room (thereptileroom.org), I had a short list of questions I wanted to ask him. I wanted to write a bio type page--with maybe 5 or 6 questions answered. Keep it simple and to the point mainly for people who didn’t know who he was.
I knew how he stood on venomoids (I mean no one supports it -- least of all, well known hot heads), so I passed on that. My goal here was mainly to introduce him to newcomers, and get a feel for him myself.
I had no idea what I was in for.
I figured I would email him--ask the questions and post a simple bio about him in a Q and A format. Many of these answers, he said, were too complicated to answer on a type written page. So I called him.
He wasn't kidding.
Like I said to someone else, Scott never says Yes, No or Perhaps...he give you pages of comments on why there is no answer to the question. I don't take shorthand either so after a few minutes I put down my pen, gave up on the verbatim thing and just had a discussion with him.
In another attempt at convenience, I was trying to box the conversation into hots---but ended up talking about lizards, non hots and people we both seemed to know in the reptile community. He refuses to be conventional or convenient.
He did not give any traditional answers to any questions at all and he likes the fact that he's part of the non mainstream way of thinking. He seems to pride himself on being different in his views, yet he can be downright old fashioned with his sense of honor.
Apparently, he is so well known for being a hothead, that many people do not realize he really isn’t purely venomous. He seems to have a well rounded passion (which is proved in his collection) for all animals.



Basics


He was raised in Southern California. He has studied theology which I'm glad I found out at the end of the conversation--because (being that's a side interest of mine) I would have been writing today about ancient and world religion instead of reptiles
He seems to be about 65 when you speak to him because of his knowledge, voice structure but he's only in his 30's.
He’s been keeping reptiles since he was 5. As a child he kept everything from horned toad lizards to alligator lizards. He acquired his first hot at age 18 ; a crotalus scutulatus (Mojave Green Rattlesnake) and then a second shortly after crotalus viridis (Southern Pacific Rattlesnake) .
After living in California most of his life he relocated to Florida about 7 years ago and hasn’t looked back. He has since gotten heavily into hots and worked with a major importer for years paving the way for an interest in multi-species husbandry. Having worked in this capacity, with the most common and the most rare reptiles in the world, it has afforded him a very unique luxury of becoming acquainted with more species then the average keeper would ever encounter.



Scott Bice slam book:



Women and hots

He feels when women get into hots they make the best keepers on many levels. Watching his wife handle and care for their collection he admits to her having a deeper sense of knowing something is wrong way before he does. Once she says something is amiss, he knows to run tests until he finds it because “if she says it’s there---it’s there”. He has a tremendous amount of respect for an intelligent woman.


No one is famous

All the people I respect so much --real figure heads who impress the heck out of me--he waves off simply as friends. When I asked him who impressed him---he said no one. Except to say that people who care for their animals with their animals needs first.
He puts himself on a level where everyone is equal initially. The only thing that wiped you off the board in his opinion was stupidity. He hates stupid people, and doesn’t seem to be afraid to call you on it either.

(continued)

[NicoleRussell]

Conservation

Another unexpected answer---ducks unlimited. I mean he ran off a laundry list of orgs yeah---but this is the one that seemed to have impressed him the most. Why? Because they put their money where their mouth is.
It seems people who run their mouth and do nothing more, do not earn any points with Mr. Bice. This organization buys the land and in turn, helps all the species and plants ON that land----they have sunk billions into their beliefs and that leads Scott to believe his support is doing something.
Habitat destruction he feels, is the root of most evil when it comes to red listed species.
“If you take you give back”, is something he repeated a few times as being so important for any herper to understand.
List of DU accomplishments:
Restoring Marshlands
Working with Landowners
Working with Partners
Conservation Easements
Management Agreements
Geographic Information Systems
DU is one of the largest conservation and environmental groups in the world, with more than 1 million supporters worldwide. Founded in 1937, DU has conserved more than 9.4 million acres of land throughout North America. DU supporters have raised nearly $1.6 billion for conservation since 1937.
As far as species specific conservation concerns, the Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise) is in the top 10 on his list because of the burrows the animal creates that become home to so many other species. Breeding and reintroducing the crotalus adamanteus should also be a priority, in his mind. Generally, Scott feels that head starting and reintroducing species should be important goals to any culturalist with the heart to make a difference.

Scott:
“The greatest success this hobby has seen as far as conservation so far has been the american alligator (alligator mississippiensis)."
This has involved captive caring, breeding and direct cropping of wild populations (eggs and adults), but all linked to proper monitoring programs. The difference between what was happening and what’s happening today, is there are controls that prevent wild populations from being adversely affected. This shows how some conservation efforts have a huge impact on the environment.


Most interesting feeding behavior

[scott]
“Mambas. Green in particular. The way they seem to plan the attack is far more interesting then other snakes.”

Most utilized feeders (rodents)

Rats. Though he would rather use a rabbit pink then any rat or mouse of the same size. Nutritionally he feels they are superior and overall he has had the greatest success on every level when he has used them.




Opinions on Crossbreeding

While, like venomoids, this topic has been beat to death, I asked him which animal has been the worst abomination and he feels it’s probably the woma carpet cross....followed closely by the derma ball. Cross breeding in his opinion is playing god, and absolutely should not be tolerated.



Fear verses respect

With everything from spitting cobras to large monitors under his belt, he had one thing to say about animals and people in general: all are deserving of respect but not fear.
“The minute you fear something in your collection, it’s time to reevaluate why you keep that animal.”
Scott admits to having 3 Varanus niloticus and Varanus ornatus (various nile monitors)that were all docile.
ALL DOCILE.
Not sick, not rehabbed..but DOCILE. How?
He attributes his success to having a rapport with each animal.
He works with them every day to insure their cooperation. I have never heard that from any other respectable source before, yet I believed him immediately.
He believes all animals are capable of being conformed to a docile nature with humans-that they all deserve a chance to set the traditional opinions of particular species aside to make room for new ways of considering them. He doesn't skimp on safety --but he is totally lacking in preconceptions.
As far as starting as a hot keeper he recommends if you can get passed the fact that they are venomous you are on your way to being ready. I asked “if you can get passed the fact that they are hot---they why keep them at all? Why not stick to a fancy looking boa or colubrid?”
His answer was simply ---he DOES keep all those as well. It's clear that even though he keeps hots he looks at them like they are just animals....and boas in his mind are just as deserving of the same respect as a rattler. Nothing should be taken for granted OR feared---or basically you have no business keeping reptiles.




Looking for a beginner hot?

No such thing---he feels deep interest in the animal is essential along with training under some capable teacher.
" A beginner hot" , he explained, would suggest a throw away reptile someone who perhaps is using the stepping stone system with their collection instead of what counts. And what does count according to Scott?
1) A deep interest in the animal you’re considering (start with something you have a real passion for)
2) A serious internship under a keeper with knowledge, skill and years under their belt (practical skills coupled with real knowledge and a desire to teach)
3) Commitment to proper care (proper caging, tools and setup along with long term dedication to care requirements)

He basically felt all three things were equal in importance. Maturity level seems to be important across the board because with that, all the other points come naturally.


“You can’t start with a copperhead or a mangrove because that’s what you were told to start with. A real enthusiasm about the species you choose is essential. Why do you want the animal? Is it gaining respect from your peers? Or because you have a real drive to learn from them?”



The most intelligent reptiles

“ …..anything varanus" , particlaurly Varanus jobiensis (peach throat monitors) and the most intelligent snakes to be green mambas (Dendroaspis angusticeps).
Dendroaspis angusticeps, he explains, are shrewd, calculating animals. The intelligence level is comparable to no other snake and he has witnessed them showing displays of actual problem solving with escapes and dealing with their handlers.




In closing:

Scott Bice feels that enjoying the rewarding hobby of keeping reptiles is foremost---but most of all, one should enjoy the failures as well. The whole point of the hobby he says, is to grasp a better understanding of the animal and yourself.

“I’m a simple person that does have a passion for his hobby and conservation of the resources. Don’t aspire to be like me, aspire to be the best keeper you can be within your own limitations.”

[NicoleRussell]

Thanks Nora!
Glad to see others appreciate him as much as I do--I forget your in FLA too.
Talking to him even made me miss the place.....

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[unBOAlievable]

"Mambas. Green in particular. The way they seem to plan the attack is far more interesting then other snakes.”
feeding live are we

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[hisba]

What a great interview, thank you for that! I always enjoy the interviews that are done on this site, it's a great opportunity to learn! That was very well done, I like the synopsis style.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[NicoleRussell]

your welcome hisba

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[Red-Tailed_mustang]

"Mambas. Green in particular. The way they seem to plan the attack is far more interesting then other snakes.”
feeding live are we" just because they attack doesn't mean u r feeding live it's a natural thing my fish attack their food also and they are molly's try watching the movie INSTINCT it is a very good movie off the sub though sorda way to jump on somebody before thinkin huh??

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

[Dbutton]

Nice bio. But would you please get off the Derma Ball thing. It IS NOT a crossbreed or hybrid. It was born from a wild caught mother that was gravid when captured and then layed her eggs in captivity where they were hatched. Do your research before you write things for other people to read that are supposed to be at least semi-educational.

[bcfos1]

Originally Posted by Dbutton

Nice bio. But would you please get off the Derma Ball thing. It IS NOT a crossbreed or hybrid. It was born from a wild caught mother that was gravid when captured and then layed her eggs in captivity where they were hatched. Do your research before you write things for other people to read that are supposed to be at least semi-educational.

It's a simple birth defect. I can play with the temps on a gravid boa and get some really weird looking offspring in pattern, but that is only due to the temps not being in the proper range. Doesn't mean the offspring are het for anything except normal. So you are correct it not being a hybird or a crossbreed. It was a birth defect.

	Heterozygous Heterozygous - the animal carries the gene for a genetic trait but does not outwardly demonstrate the trait. Example: A boa that is het for albino looks normal but carries the albino gene. When it is bred to another het for albino boa or an albino boa, a percentage of the offspring will be albino.

[NicoleRussell]

Originally Posted by Dbutton

Nice bio. But would you please get off the Derma Ball thing. It IS NOT a crossbreed or hybrid. It was born from a wild caught mother that was gravid when captured and then layed her eggs in captivity where they were hatched. Do your research before you write things for other people to read that are supposed to be at least semi-educational.

this was an interview, proofread by scott...LOL...all I did was deliver the info...complain to the source if you disagree with what was said. It's all on tape.

[Red-Tailed_mustang]

playing with its food so to speak like my dogs play with their treats and toys Staffordshire terriers it takes them a couple of minutes usually once they start to shredd any dog toy i have found even those tires with ropes at pet shops but i see where u r coming from sorry if i hurt any one's feelings i like ( don't know what love is yet???) i tried pre killed foozen etc. but i just tried a live lizard tonight and HE ATE IT IM SOO EXCITED he hasn't eaten in about 2 months sorry if anyone gets mad or whatever but they do it in the wild it is their natural food survival of the fitest and i guess i could see him plan a little also he moved around caught the scent backed up waited for about 15 minutes seemed like forever and then the lizard moved big mistake, i was just about to take it out to, BAM he hit it wraped up and it was over just like that again sorry if anyone is hurt by this but i dunno i guess im impatient or im a weirdo or somethin he seemed to enjoy it tough full tummy don't know when to feed him next it was a little bigger than his girth but it been awhile + he is still fighting the infection thing

[SoberGuy]

Great write up Nicole. The theology aspect interests me too. Never knew so many snake folks were into theology.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters