Licence issues

[NRE-808]

to be honest with you, i'd even be happier if there was an exam or something of the like for when people went for the license... for a while, I thought there was... I do understand the point you are trying to make but, you seem to be aiming the point at the wrong people, the people that need to hear your point cant because they dont know of this website... maybe not even of the books you can buy.
Maybe some people need to approach the people responsable for handing out the licenses and suggesting those exact measures...? Maybe flyers in the local shopping center advertising the site....

 

[raptor]

No Offence - I simply do not agree

There is no such thing as a stupid question - period. The whole reason for aussiepythons to exist is so that herp keepers can help others, so at the end of the day is someone can answer a simple question that seems obvious to the rest of us that ends up keeping a herp alive then it must be a good thing

Jason

I never said 'stupid questions' - but simple questions. I don't blame the people asking them, but question why they need to use a forum like this to do it.

Shouldn't they be aware of these things 'prior' to gaining a licence - for the animals sake if nothing else.

Isnt this what forums are all about or is it only for the elite experienced Herp, You dont ask you dont know often it is just to confirm what you are already thinking. Give the newbs abreak better to ask than stuff it up. Often pet shops give incorrect advise.

 

[glacey]

Isnt this what forums are all about or is it only for the elite experienced Herp, You dont ask you dont know often it is just to confirm what you are already thinking. Give the newbs abreak better to ask than stuff it up. Often pet shops give incorrect advise.

Yep and great that they are asking............but once again, what about those who don't think to use the web as an avenue to ask questions.

My 2 cents worth was just that if there are so many simple questions on this site, then it's obviously an indication that there are many people out there who need help with there animals. I doubt anyone buying an animal for the right reasons would be against some kind of licence exam.

 

[junglepython2]

But someone who only wants to keep a local gecko doesnt really need to know about snake shedding and feeding problems

 

[NRE-808]

like i stated earlier, i gave this website to a freidn of my mothers tonight that has 2 Murray Darlings and was asking me questions about breeding his female and i answered "i dont know but i can give you a website address that you will find that info out and more" (or something to that affect)
The same person has a yearling (i think its a yearling) in an enclosure fit for an adult and said in passing that its always hiding under the newspaper... i told him that a possible reason for that is that he feels very exposed being in an enclosure thats much too big for his current size... i dont know much but am already passing on the knowlege i have gained from the info on here and the advice people have given me.

I think there should be a test/exam, there's one to get your car license, forkilift ticket etc etc etc... it is a damn good idea.

 

[peterescue]

dont see many cat or dog license exams now do you.

to quote John Cann, "there arent stupid questions, just stupid answers".( and I have lots of those)

 

[MrBredli]

That's because you don't need a license to keep a cat or a dog silly

 

[NRE-808]

no, you dont, but what special conditions do dogs and cats need to live happilly let alone thrive?

 

[Pythoninfinite]

I agree with Glacey - lots of reptile owners here seem to have acquired no knowledge at all before getting their animal/s. And frankly some of the questions show an alarming amount of ignorance of the most basic and fundamental aspects of reptile care. Maybe I'm just plain arrogant, but imo there have been some plain stupid questions here recently, from people who have already acquired animals - that's the worrying thing to me.

Jamie.

 

[peterescue]

were talking responsibility in the end and if you dont think dogs and cats have special requirements it kind of reinforces the whole problem.

 

[snakes4me2]

But someone who only wants to keep a local gecko doesnt really need to know about snake shedding and feeding problems

This could be where it goes all pear shaped.
Start off with a gecko why do a snake course?? Get your licence (not intending to get a snake) then that bloody bug gets you and your into the snakes with no experience.

 

[NRE-808]

it is all down to responsability of the owner, the person thinking of buying the animal and the person selling the animal, whatever it might be.
On the application form there are some options basically asking the applicant which license they are going for, maybe those options can/should be broadened and/or made more specific...? so that a person wanting a local gecko knows all about them and if he/she decides later on to get into snakes or what ever... another test/license has to be obtained...

 

[glacey]

Cats and dogs just opens a whole new kettle of fish!

I agree with you, however my only argument would be that reptiles are a specialist pet and have many environmental requirements.

We feed the cat twice a day and she looks after herself inbetween - no temp, humidity requirements etc. My dogs do need a greater level of care, but nowhere near that of the snakes.

 

[sneakypete]

I agree with Gunnie101. I am by no means an expert on reptiles and I am a new member who is actively using this site to gain information and benefit from others experiences, so that I can properly care for my snake. Sure us beginner's may ask stupid questions, but at least we are making an effort, instead of blindly stumbling in the dark. To be perfectly honest I am more worried about the number of people who don't hold reptile keepers licences, and I personally know a few. These are the people I am worried about, the one's who slip under the radar!

 

[glacey]

ISure us beginner's may ask stupid questions, but at least we are making an effort, instead of blindly stumbling in the dark.

Once again...........I never remember saying 'stupid questions'.

 

[Pythoninfinite]

I mentioned the "stupid questions" - and of course, not all beginners ask stupid questions - most are well considered and useful. But in my opinion, some of the recent questions from new keepers display an alarming ignorance of what captive reptile management is about. Have a look at how many posts some of these members have made within just a month or two of joining - sometimes they are in their hundreds after just a few weeks. There used to be a saying about empty vessels...

Jamie.

 

[glacey]

But in my opinion, some of the recent questions from new keepers display an alarming ignorance of what captive reptile management is about.
Jamie.

Perhaps that's what I was trying to say.............just a little more discreetly!

 

[Pythoninfinite]

There's no point in beating around the bush! Some of these people will never make good keepers - you need more than textbooks to be a good reptile keeper, it is something that requires "feel" as well...

J.

 

[Nome]

The general feeding questions always come and go, but what's worrying is the reason behind why the animals aren't eating- so many new herpers aren't set up the way they should be...some even without heat. Don't know who's giving them the information, but I think petshops and breeders need to be more thorough.

In a perfect world, licensing would be more strict, and also other animals like cats and dogs would be licensed.

What worries me more is the people giving the answers on this forum sometimes. I've seen people answer questions about snake husbandry that don't even have snakes themselves, and many that have only had them a few months. This would be well and good if the answers were correct, but most of the time they aren't. There was a thread on a retained shed, and the information given out there by newbies was just downright dangerous. For some reason, people are taking things they have 'heard' and giving it as a direct answer for husbandry problems. In worst cases, someone with proper experience will answer only to have inexperienced people argue with them.

Some people really need to stop and think before answering questions. I've seen questions on here I wouldn't attempt to answer and I've been keeping 3 years, but people keeping snakes for only a few months have felt qualified enough to answer.

 

[ether]

Glacey has an extrenmely good point in saying that many questions could be answered through simple research. Aussiepythions only acts as only a small part of the reptile community, think about the number of people who keep reptiles who dont use forums to get help. These people who have undertaken little research before the purchse of the snake may run into problems and the snake will suffer due to their lack or knowledge and because they have no avenues for help. Reptiles can suffer and from ailments that are extremely easy to fix ie sloughing and feeding.

If the licencing system were to be reformed these problems could be fixed.

Cheers Alex