Re: Factory or hobby?

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Rat Snake Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Terry Cox on March 18, 2000 at 05:47:08:

In Reply to: Factory or hobby?????? posted by Pedersen,S�e on March 18, 2000 at 02:50:32:

Soe, hello my friend. How are you today? You ask a very philosophical question, one that not too many of us may be able to answer in detail. But it is a good question. Why do we keep our snakes? It is making me think.

Why we keep our snakes has to do with the human condition. For me it has to do with being a herpetologist and studying snakes in detail. I'm mostly interested in the natural history, behavior, and ecology of ratsnakes, worldwide.

My problem, as well as joy, is that there are so many species of Elaphe. Like so many of us, I am restricted by time and space, and my ability to care for a certain number of animals. It's not that I don't like providing good care, but when there isn't enough time, the care gets poor. This puts the limit on how many animals I can have.

I am a hobbyist, not a business. I sell my offspring when I have too many babies, not to make a profit. The money I get helps pay the bills, but I have never made a profit. I know there are big breeders that can make a lot of money, and many people who know very little about the care of snakes want to do this business to see how much money they can make. Like any business in the U.S., most go bankrupt after a short time. The only way I can deal with profit-makers, is to deal with only the very best that have quality animals and know what they are doing.

I believe, Soe, that when we increase demand it puts pressure on a species, but when that species is established, and it becomes more common in the hobby, it drives the prices down. When there is no profit, the profit-seekers go elsewhere.

At first when I came into the hobby, about 30 years ago, I would not buy a snake from anyone, because I thought the demand would harm the animals. About 1986, I started thinking that we needed to establish the animals in the hobby to protect them. The only real protection is to preserve their habitat anyway. I got interested in Elaphe through Klaus D. Schulz and others who were making the Eurasian rats more understandable and obtainable. I decided to keep and raise ratsnakes.

Some ratsnakes are big business, and breeders are rushing to capitalize on the trends. But I don't think this will last, Soe. It is commercialism, and that is the way in the U.S., along with all the other attitudes, like the one I have. Yes, we talk about these things a lot, and I believe it is good practice to find ourselves, and to relieve some anxiety. But things are the way they are. Europe does like Europe does for a reason, and America for their reasons.

I wish all my animals could live natural lives, but it can't happen while they are captive in my house. I could build natural vivariums, but I think I give them what they need doing it my way. I will provide the best maintenance I can with what I have, and I always hope for the best for the animals.

I wish the best for you too, Soe, and all our European friends. I hope we are all working for the same goals in the long run.

Rushing into the new millenium, and trying to stay positive. Terry.

Follow Ups:

Re: Factory or hobby? Pedersen,S�e 03/18/00 (3)
- Purity....and reintroduction?.........more Terry 03/18/00 (2)
  - Re: Purity....and reintroduction?.........more and more Pedersen,S�e 03/18/00 (1)
    - Thanks again, Soe.........more Terry 03/18/00 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: Soe, hello my friend. How are you today? You ask a very philosophical question, one that not too many of us may be able to answer in detail. But it is a good question. Why do we keep our snakes? It is making me think. : Why we keep our snakes has to do with the human condition. For me it has to do with being a herpetologist and studying snakes in detail. I'm mostly interested in the natural history, behavior, and ecology of ratsnakes, worldwide. : My problem, as well as joy, is that there are so many species of Elaphe. Like so many of us, I am restricted by time and space, and my ability to care for a certain number of animals. It's not that I don't like providing good care, but when there isn't enough time, the care gets poor. This puts the limit on how many animals I can have. : I am a hobbyist, not a business. I sell my offspring when I have too many babies, not to make a profit. The money I get helps pay the bills, but I have never made a profit. I know there are big breeders that can make a lot of money, and many people who know very little about the care of snakes want to do this business to see how much money they can make. Like any business in the U.S., most go bankrupt after a short time. The only way I can deal with profit-makers, is to deal with only the very best that have quality animals and know what they are doing. : I believe, Soe, that when we increase demand it puts pressure on a species, but when that species is established, and it becomes more common in the hobby, it drives the prices down. When there is no profit, the profit-seekers go elsewhere. : At first when I came into the hobby, about 30 years ago, I would not buy a snake from anyone, because I thought the demand would harm the animals. About 1986, I started thinking that we needed to establish the animals in the hobby to protect them. The only real protection is to preserve their habitat anyway. I got interested in Elaphe through Klaus D. Schulz and others who were making the Eurasian rats more understandable and obtainable. I decided to keep and raise ratsnakes. : Some ratsnakes are big business, and breeders are rushing to capitalize on the trends. But I don't think this will last, Soe. It is commercialism, and that is the way in the U.S., along with all the other attitudes, like the one I have. Yes, we talk about these things a lot, and I believe it is good practice to find ourselves, and to relieve some anxiety. But things are the way they are. Europe does like Europe does for a reason, and America for their reasons. : I wish all my animals could live natural lives, but it can't happen while they are captive in my house. I could build natural vivariums, but I think I give them what they need doing it my way. I will provide the best maintenance I can with what I have, and I always hope for the best for the animals. : I wish the best for you too, Soe, and all our European friends. I hope we are all working for the same goals in the long run. : Rushing into the new millenium, and trying to stay positive. Terry.

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Rat Snake Forum ] [ FAQ ]