I thinks whats happening is that more and more young people are looking for 'alternate' pets, drawn by shows like sir crikey, totally wild etc etc and they head straight for the internet, being the technology age kids they are, and are met with a barrage of confusing and conflicting information, which often puts off those whos intrest in herps is genuine.
Then you have a percentage of those who's intrest is not so genuine, its merely 'the cool pet factor'.
These are the ones who rush into it half cocked then have problems and post a million questions they should have had the answers to before they got the animals.
I think we should be encouraging new people to lean more toward decent publications for basic starter/setup information. Maybe the books section with pics of books like weigals and where to get them could be more prominent on the site?
This is not the only hobby where people jump in and lose animals, birds, fish etc must be right up there too.
Jmpo, that the license system could be better organised, perhaps, more than a few dollars should be needed to aquire a licence, like a basic reptile keeping course which must be passed before a license is issued.
Ans perhaps a cooling off period too, so if a person decides its too much trouble, they can opt out before they spend money on a license and animals.
That said, I must admit to not really brainstorming on gex before we got them, however, having kept successfully a variety of other herps beforehand puts me way ahead of someone who's never kept a reptile full stop. Perhaps a little more patience with new people, particularly since most are young, and we can up the percent of those who really try to do it right. :wink:
Not sure I agree with the age of 10 being the min for a license, since most parents who are not into herps arnt too intrested. How many kids have been here asking how to sway the parents in favour!
Then you have a percentage of those who's intrest is not so genuine, its merely 'the cool pet factor'.
These are the ones who rush into it half cocked then have problems and post a million questions they should have had the answers to before they got the animals.
I think we should be encouraging new people to lean more toward decent publications for basic starter/setup information. Maybe the books section with pics of books like weigals and where to get them could be more prominent on the site?
This is not the only hobby where people jump in and lose animals, birds, fish etc must be right up there too.
Jmpo, that the license system could be better organised, perhaps, more than a few dollars should be needed to aquire a licence, like a basic reptile keeping course which must be passed before a license is issued.
Ans perhaps a cooling off period too, so if a person decides its too much trouble, they can opt out before they spend money on a license and animals.
That said, I must admit to not really brainstorming on gex before we got them, however, having kept successfully a variety of other herps beforehand puts me way ahead of someone who's never kept a reptile full stop. Perhaps a little more patience with new people, particularly since most are young, and we can up the percent of those who really try to do it right. :wink:
Not sure I agree with the age of 10 being the min for a license, since most parents who are not into herps arnt too intrested. How many kids have been here asking how to sway the parents in favour!
Hey browny are you sick of putting work into picture threads and getting abused hey?I remember reading some insulting ones mate.It does take some time and effort this pics or it didnt happen and many individuals dont realise the time and effort that gos into it.,if you cop crap or no interest it slows you up a bit.Your always going to have those that support and appreciate you and those that cant stand the sight of one of your threads,its tuff tittys i reckon yung dude!! 
