The market.

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Posted by Jaffo on May 13, 2002 at 09:57:39:

In Reply to: Re: Fair enough... posted by Tom Townsend on May 13, 2002 at 09:04:11:

Yes, WE are largely respinsible for the "demand".

But who are "we"? There are plenty of responsible venomous enthusiasts would would rather wait for captive-bred animals than buy fresh WC that will need a lot of work to save. It simply isn't economical for any smart comsumer to buy an animal that may eventually cost more in maintenance and care simply because it was wild-caught.
I tend to believe most WC animals come from folks who couldn't care less about the animals, and are very simply attempting to supply the demand. You hit it right on the head: "I'm thinking that we could do A LOT more captive breeding, but there is less PROFIT in it". Is that what "herping" has become? All about PROFIT?

By principle, I refuse to condone that mentality. Snakes mean way more to me than that. I am just one guy with the utmost respect for the integrity of these animals in their native habitat, and maybe I don't fit so well in the modern hobby because of it. So screw the modern hobby.

You and I certainly see eye-to-eye. So surely you understand my disdane for the idle disregard I see so rampant when it comes to collecting animals for profit. It's simple: When the snakes are free for the taking from our natural areas, why would a bunch of yahoos take the opportunuty to score when there are so many venomous enthusiasts out there that will pay up? So what do we do? You and I can quit buying. But that doesn't stop anything. The hobby will continue to roll in the same direction because respectful "herpers" now seem to be the minority.

I will work on getting some more photos posted. Until then, check out the FC forum, where I post most of the stuff I see. Also, check out http://pub52.ezboard.com/breptilesofarizona.

Jaf

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: Yes, WE are largely respinsible for the "demand". : But who are "we"? There are plenty of responsible venomous enthusiasts would would rather wait for captive-bred animals than buy fresh WC that will need a lot of work to save. It simply isn't economical for any smart comsumer to buy an animal that may eventually cost more in maintenance and care simply because it was wild-caught. : I tend to believe most WC animals come from folks who couldn't care less about the animals, and are very simply attempting to supply the demand. You hit it right on the head: "I'm thinking that we could do A LOT more captive breeding, but there is less PROFIT in it". Is that what "herping" has become? All about PROFIT? : By principle, I refuse to condone that mentality. Snakes mean way more to me than that. I am just one guy with the utmost respect for the integrity of these animals in their native habitat, and maybe I don't fit so well in the modern hobby because of it. So screw the modern hobby. : You and I certainly see eye-to-eye. So surely you understand my disdane for the idle disregard I see so rampant when it comes to collecting animals for profit. It's simple: When the snakes are free for the taking from our natural areas, why would a bunch of yahoos take the opportunuty to score when there are so many venomous enthusiasts out there that will pay up? So what do we do? You and I can quit buying. But that doesn't stop anything. The hobby will continue to roll in the same direction because respectful "herpers" now seem to be the minority. : I will work on getting some more photos posted. Until then, check out the FC forum, where I post most of the stuff I see. Also, check out http://pub52.ezboard.com/breptilesofarizona. : Jaf

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