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RE: Are Venomous Snakes Pets ?
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by jparker1167 on January 4, 2011
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im good, same old stuff. got some snakes together now just have to wait and see if i get anything good lol.
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RE: Are Venomous Snakes Pets ?
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by CharlieO on January 5, 2011
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A response from someone who does not keep any reptiles (never have, no intention of doing so) and has no dog in the fight...
IMHO, domestication implies a trait, bred into a species over many generations. One can find a Webster's (and some other dictionaries) definition that implies that individuals can be domesticated, there are many sources which invoke the (apparently) idea of breeding and selection over many generations.
The term "pet" implies that the animal in question is domesticated. If one accepts domestication as a pre-requisite to defining an animal as a pet, then (unless one discounts the statements above), snakes which have not been bred in captivity for generations *and* which have, through natural selection, been caused to undergo genetic changes which fit the intent of breeding the animal to a life with humans, then one cannot properly call any snake a pet.
Accept this view or not, I would merely warn that reliance on a definition which does not exercise an abundance of caution potentially places one at a significantly increased level of risk when interacting with these animals.
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RE: Are Venomous Snakes Pets ?
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by theraphosa on January 5, 2011
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Personally, I don't consider it a pet unless it comes when it is called.
That said, I'm surprised no one attempted a legal definition, especially since this can be a very regulated hobby.
Checking the USFWS Code of Federal Regulations shows only two types of animals:"domestic" and "wildlife". There are no reptiles listed under the definition of "domestic".
You can cherry pick your dictionary definition, but I'd go with they guy inspecting your facility, or checking your permit. JMO
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RE: Are Venomous Snakes Pets ?
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by snakeguy101 on January 6, 2011
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Seems like everyone here is holding themselves above pet owners as if you are scientists keeping them for research (which some of you are) but for the most part, we keep them and breed them because we enjoy them. It does not matter if they re not domesticated or if they come when called their purpose is for our enjoyment.
I almost never touch my vipers, beaded or cobras but I still consider them my pets. Some people have cats or dogs, some people have Chia Pets, we have pet snakes.
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RE: Are Venomous Snakes Pets ?
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by fbergman31 on January 6, 2011
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Thank you CHARLIEO for actually making an intelligent claim and trying to justify yourself intellectually. I very much appreciate and respect your comment, however, I disagree. I don't think a pet has to be something that is bred to be with humans. Again, you can tame an animal by handling them and making them tolerant of humans. I believe this is a form of domestication. I do not think the need to be breed to be dependent on humans to be pets, however, one can argue that all the morphs which cannot survive in the wild and are now dependent on people, and all that snakes held back for their pacifism, have created a breed of snake, ball pythons for instance, that have been bred to be pets. What I also find interesting is that what you say indicates that even if one thinks snakes are not pets in their current form they can be bred to be pets.
However, with all this said, I still do not believe domestication is a prerequisite for an animal to be considered a pet. Can you domesticate a fish ? No, but they are still considered pets because we love and take care of them even if the animal is to simple to realize this. I think a pet is an animal in captivity that a person takes care of and has mainly for pleasure. Perhaps maybe a definition we can all agree on is that a venomous snake is a DANGEROUS pet. Does that work with anyone it is kind of a compromise ?
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RE: Are Venomous Snakes Pets ?
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by fbergman31 on January 6, 2011
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Yea, I feel the same way snakeguy, I think these people just like to think of their snake as something more than a pet but I am happy with calling it a pet... a dangerous pet at that.
Also theraphose, Venomous snakes are just legal in some states and you don't need a permit for them. They are sold at PET shows. Also, I am a prelaw major and I bet I can find some good case law that defines what domestication or a pet is. But other than that, I don't think it is a big deal I like the definitions we have. It is all semantics anyway no matter what definition anyone brings.
I can't believe no one thought of this, how about we call them EXOTIC pets. I think EXOTIC or DANGEROUS pets are the best two sated so far. Any one agree ?
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RE: Are Venomous Snakes Pets ?
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by fbergman31 on January 6, 2011
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In my opinion, this backward thinking, that snakes aren't pets, is really what holds the private reptile industry back. This is the rhetoric that I would expect from the Humans Society, or PETA. Not this site which seems to support private reptile ownership. I mean, do You guys support private reptile ownership ? I ask because I really feel that your point of view is holding the private reptile industry back and stunting it's growth.
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RE: Are Venomous Snakes Pets ?
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by fbergman31 on January 6, 2011
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I mean, if venomous snakes aren't pets shouldn't you guys close down the calssifield section of this website so people like me who reguard them as pets can't get thier hands on them ? Should'nt you guys stop selling these things for profit to any one who wants one at a pet show ? If they are not pets, then why do you treat them as such, don't you agree this should be stoped to keep these snakes from people like me who think they are pets ? Also, inturn, would'nt that make you against the private reptile industry ?
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RE: Are Venomous Snakes Pets ?
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by snakeguy101 on January 6, 2011
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As a side note, I have an iguana (not a snake I know but you get the idea) that will come when called and ball pythons have been genetically modified through selective breeding over generations for some use to humans (profit/ aesthetics) and therefore fit the definition of domesticated. So some of your points are invalid.
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