Where did I say "mammal"?

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Posted by bexley on March 28, 2003 at 20:37:08:

In Reply to: That's true- posted by girlzilla on March 28, 2003 at 08:10:34:

And yes, you can get a zoology degree with a Herp spec., at least here. My local field thesis was with the herp dept, working with salamanders. My major field project was with diet and nutrition of arctic birds, focusing on the snowy owl, comparing fecal samples of wild birds with captive ones. I evaluated over 200 owl pellets and spent several weeks in the arctic collecting samples, as well as tramping around zoos, researching papers, following what captive birds were fed and on what days, compared to what pellets were collected that day. I spent hours processing samples, extracting DNA from wild pellets to verify food source types and more. Ever had to figure out the caloric value of a lemming? I have.

I'm not saying I know a huge amount about X or Y. I'm not saying I would feed a sole commercial diet. What I am saying, is 1> I'm not stupid, so don't talk to me like I am and 2> there's alot to be learned about diet and its not all that easy. Don't jump to conclusions either about me, my animals, or the state of their health please.

:I'm not a biologist. I don't claim to be an expert in anything, but I do seek out as much info as I can, using my good judgement to guide me, and I do try to cite my sources, so that others can do the same. I would love to read any research you've done about the long-term effects of a commercial diet on iguanas, or anything that influenced your decision to feed it to your pet! If you want to call my sources and my posts "junk info", please give me new, better info, and cite your sources, that I might not continue giving my iguana incorrect care!

:I know that a lot of vets and biologists become specialist in herp studies, although there's no such thing as a degree in herpetology. As anyone who has has to look for medical care for their igs can attest, there is such a difference between a vet or biologist, even a really good one, who only knows about herps what he learned in school, and one who has a special interest in it. That can be the difference between life and death for a reptile.

:Again, and we'll probably just have to agree to disagree, just as I'm not convinced that the success of commercial mammal foods means that commercial reptile foods are as reliable, I'm also not convinced that expertise in raising wild mammals would be an indicator of expertise in raising iguanas. Although I guess it depends where you live and work; if you're a wildlife rehabilitator in someplace like Central America, then you probably are an expert in iguana diet! And it's great your ig is coming along well.

:Unfortunately, the only tests on iguanas that I have ever had a chance to see first-hand are the ones from my vet's office. They tell me that my iguana, who was malnourished when I adopted him (he used to be fed commercial diet, among other things) has recovered from MBD since being fed a more nutritious diet.

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Still waiting for help! girlzilla 03/31/03 (0)