just a question jamie,how would you propose newbies to get a link with an experienced keeper?? yeh there might be a lot of experienced ppl out there,but most if not all,wont let you near their place let alone give you info and help..... the reptile world is a place of hush hush and secrecy,thats what ive observed anyway....my reptile gathering was started on a whim,bought in a carpark sale,cause "god forbid" i might see what they had,let alone get information out of them.
I take your point jacorin, but as others have said, local herp groups are a good source of contact for both social reasons and access to advice & expertise. Most regions have a group which is likely to meet fairly regularly, so it's worth the effort to get there if you can. Admittedly difficult if you're a 12yo and your parents can't be bothered driving you there though. I do have a big problem with the recent introduction of reptile sales in shops in NSW because it removes the breeder even further from the buyer, and many pet shops will be in it (quite reasonably) for the money, but as a result will propagate incorrect info just to boost sales (especially of useless extra junk). But I don't think dogs and cats should be sold in petshops either... they just provide a sales platform for disgusting puppy farms...
I've seen quite a few requests for info on APS which I've answered with my contact details if I think I can help out in some way, and I'm sure there are other experienced people out there who enjoy mentoring others where appropriate.
In an earlier life, I was a professional taxidermist at a state museum - and this work in many ways is similar to reptile keeping, you never know it all, and people are always coming up with new info and different (occasionally better) ways of doing things. I like passing info on, because I'm always learning myself, and if I'm open to helping people, then in many cases others are open to helping me. Even a sharp newby can sometimes offer me help or info that I hadn't thought of, so it goes both ways. Not always, but often I get back in spades much more than I've been able to give. But sharp newbies are always actively seeking out information from any source, and you can tell who they are just from reading their posts here. The question of the hissing carpet python is a prime example of someone who has acquired a live animal without any forethought whatsoever, the animal has done something quite normal for that creature, but the new, totally unprepared owner is now afraid of it and doesn't know what to do... Suddenly the animal is in control - not a good scenario for a long-term relationship with any creature.
All I'm saying is learn about your charges, all the potential scenarios, BEFORE you get the critter. Successful reptile keeping is more than just a rote-learned, formulaic activity, and it requires a lot more intuition than keeping dogs and cats. But there is so much info out there, both good and drastically bad (thanks internet!), actively do your research yourself, in advance of getting your animal, and if you have doubts or further questions, then ask them here, but do so with some semblance of understanding of what you are taking on. That way you won't look stupid, and you won't draw attention to yourself as the kind of newbie that people love to hate.
Jamie
