These 5 TOXIC Myths Are Killing The Reptile Hobby!

[@vereornox701]

My chemistry teacher told me something similar: “Practice doesn’t make perfect. Practice makes consistency. If you’re practicing something wrong, you’ll become consistently wrong.”

[@WhileMyGuineaPigGentlyWheeks]

That’s so well put

[@edgyanole9705]

Practice makes permanent

[@Cool_Story_Bruh]

Off of #4: I strive to give my snakes the best care I can, but as someone with PTSD and poor mental health at times, it's great to have an animal that CAN handle me having an off day or two.

[@danielled8665]

Same, it's part of why I love keeping my snakes. I feed them once every two weeks or so. If I'm sick, it's not that big a deal. If my adhd forgets, it's not that big a deal.

[@jaradmcknight5031]

Same with leopard geckos. I love them but I work so much that sometimes I have to go a couple days without giving them attention but they don’t mind. As long as they have water and warmth they’re fine. I love reptiles. I’m working on starting a breeding project and hopefully going down to part time at my work and getting into the gecko business!

[@mlouism2minotti748]

I'm 66 years old. I've been in the hobby on and off since I was 8. I'm still learning. You're never too old to learn.

[@pencildragon1961]

This: I also like to tell the newer hot shots "don't be arrogant.. 25 years from now we could be looking at your husbandry now, like we look at my husbandry from 25 years ago. Life is learning."

[@mlouism2minotti748]

Thanks

[@Paula-sw2tt]

Same here. I am 68 and have been keeping reptiles since childhood. I am still learning.

[@mlouism2minotti748]

@@Paula-sw2tt This is so true and that's one of the most fun parts of this hobby. We're always learning something. Thanks for your input.

[@kevinthegrizzly5074]

Fried gold edutainment Adam👍🏾. It should be about the love and well-being of the animals, not egos. My grandmother always said, "If you're not learning, you're not living." Take care, buddy.👊🏾🇺🇸🇨🇦

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

ehhh thank you!

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

Wise woman

[@Battleray]

Wise grandma

[@reptilesrodents]

Great words of wisdom.

[@antoniobarbaro3499]

"There are guys who have been living life for 30 or 40yrs who are not very good at it" I feel personally attacked

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

same dawg, hahaha

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

😂

[@HeavenlyiceDream]

I raise florida blue garter snakes. Can confirm they LOVE to be together. I have HUGE enclosures for them and anywhere from 3 to 7 garters in each one and they love it. Most of the time they are hanging out together. I also have 1 enclosure that is my baby Koya, a F.blue garter and his best buddy in the world, Hobi the western hognose. They are 7 days apart in age and live together since the beginning. They are best buddies and are together 95% of the time. Koya will cinnamon roll and Hobi will snuggle down in the roll and they will bask and sleep happily. If i take Hobi out, Koya watches me intently to make sure i am not hurting him, and inspects him THOROUGHLY when i put him back. It's adorable and hilarious. Hobi even learned to climb up high with Koya and the enclosure is set up with stages to make it easier for Hobi to climb up

[@dishonourablemention3341]

That is fascinating! These kinds of Stories from snake keepers are why I’m always advocating for more research into snake brains. There’s still so much we don’t know. It’s criminal that so many people still treat them like mindless thoughtless demons.

[@jengle1970]

Myth - just because an animal is inexpensive and/or sold in a box store means it is good for beginners or children. Myth - you can buy your animal, enclosure, and supplies all right at the same time with no setup prior or learning the care.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

totally agree!

[@zakarymcleod1850]

The Jacksonville zoo has some good cohabitation exhibits. In one enclosure, they have some kind of south American rattlesnake, dartfrogs, and Cuban night anoles in the same enclosure. In another, they have caiman lizards, amazon tree boas, freshwater stingrays, and cichlids in a giant Paludarium. There's a few other exhibits like that, especially in the south American reptile exhibits. That's just something neat I wanted to share that goes with the cohabitation part.

[@thatonepossum5766]

Note to self: go there.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

very interesting!

[@WoWGamer20XX]

St Louis zoo has a few cohab exhibits at their facilities, including the Herpetarium. If memory serves me correctly, it's a few species from Missouri.

[@eric2max]

I’m 58. I agree: if you think you have nothing to learn, your proven your ignorance. This goes for most subjects. I learn so much from this channel and others! I’m so much better now than 10 years ago.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

well said!!

[@caseysilva6919]

I know I have been in some social media groups for certain frogs or reptiles and left them because some of the comments were rude and unnecessary. It isn't often but they still exist. I like to keep learning or ask questions to other knowledgeable keepers because sometimes I think I am doing something correctly but am not. We do our best but aren't perfect.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

absolutely!

[@LukeMcGuireoides]

If they can't treat other people kindly, imagine how they must treat they're animals. Yikes

[@aliviahouk7018]

Yikes is right

[@Jungles_of_Lustria]

Sounds like every Dart Frog community I'm in. "Oh you don't keep Bastimentos? Not a real frog keeper. Oh you don't measure out how many micrograms of vitamin you dust your frog feeders with?" The toxicity is real

[@ronbolesta4147]

Sounds like a guinea pig group and a boa group I'm in on Facebook (i swear facebook is getting to be quite the cesspool for pet groups). It's one thing to say, "Hey, you might want to try something different with your husbandry." It's another thing entirely to dog pile with outright negativity like a lot of them do.

[@KaiSub]

I've had my leopard tortoise for about six years now and still look up care for her at least a few times a year, just to see that I'm up to date on everything and to make sure I haven't forgotten anything important :)

[@skinksinthecity]

You're always a brave man to tackle these types of topics. I've found that people really, really don't like being told they "might" be wrong, or may not be right, or however you wanna phrase it. Great job as always, Adam👍

[@sarnett7303]

Anyone else see the cork round fall? Lol This was great advice for new keepers, so they know it's OK to be human. Sometimes it can be intimidating trying to gain knowledge (or show off the knowledge you already have) when you've only been involved with something for a relatively short amount of time

[@AlhanaTsuki]

Just paused the video to see if someone had mentioned it. Apparently someone wanted to do some habitat renovation in the middle of the video!

[@samanthamoessner5920]

I actually opened this on my phone after watching on my TV because i wanted to see how many others noticed too. I was just really worried about the animal in that cage but I'm pretty sure that's Diamond's enclosure so no worries (but kind of alarming that it moved on its own).

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

WHAT REPTILE MYTHS DO YOU HATE?

[@narjia2402]

You’ve been way more chill in your videos recently and I love it! It’s like talking to an older brother I don’t see too often but love to hear about his passions 😄

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

I really appreciate this

[@narjia2402]

@@WickensWickedReptiles of course! Thank you for teaching me how to take good care of my reptiles!

[@tbella5186]

You are 100% giving this community the best you have. Entertainment, Education, and most importantly for the Reptile Keepers, a good example! I'm waiting to see you at Kamp Kenan!!!

[@kimcrawford5247]

Reptile keeping is evolving everyday. We learn new things all the time especially from nature trips like you and Dave have experienced. Those studies teach us new things all the time. Awesome information in this video Adam. ❤

[@Solaxer]

So true. I hate that I spent so much extra time and money designing a custom climbable 3D background with ledges for my large leopard gecko enclosure, combed over countless care guides some of which not even being in English, read research papers and scientific literature, studied the natural habitat, consulted experiences keepers and breeders, ensured both my geckos were female and kept and continue to keep a watchful eye on them+having a spare enclosure at the ready, just to be told by randoms on Facebook that I’m an irresponsible and negligent keeper for cohabbing🤦🏽‍♂️

[@themikefischbach]

Adam you should do an updated reptile room tour vid

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

I'm working on it :)

[@isaiahmarquez454]

i remember when i first started breeding leachies i was about 16 and everybody told me i needed more experience to do it or told me that i just have them because i want to make money and that i’m a bad person for selling the baby leachies but i didn’t understand why they were getting all mad at me. i started out with a pair of leachies and had them in a 36x24x36 (inches) and i had them because i loved leachie geckos and thought and still think they are one of the coolest lizards in the world and i was breeding them ethically so i really didn’t see a problem with what i was doing but everytime i posted online people would tell me im too young and i need more experience and i just think thats dumb. I had 2 years of experience keeping crested geckos and chahoua geckos and to me that was enough experience where i felt like i was ready to get a pair of leachie geckos. And it went really well so this belief that people with more experience know better is wrong. Yes theres a lot of people with a lot of experience who do know more than me but there’s also a lot of people who think they know better just because they’ve been doing it longer

[@catalant4161]

Thought this said leeches and for a second I thought you were the most metal 16 year old. But leachies are very impressive to breed, very cool

[@kaylaroach]

Spot on 👏🏼 You addressed great points and acknowledged their counterarguments, all while being well articulated! Keep it up Adam!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Much appreciated! Thanks Kayla!

[@stephaniebrawner7626]

Definitely needed to hear the "everything doesn't have to be perfect". I beat myself up a lot when the temps aren't perfect or if the humidity gets too low.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

I hope it helps!

[@hellpuppie5922]

You should do one where it’s like myths that give the reptile community a bad reputation, like snakes measure you so they can eat you ( 😂) and then debunk them.

[@TyeDyedIguana]

What's that saying? "Perfect is the enemy of good"? We have so many keepers that insist on doing something a certain way, or unwilling to budge in husbandry, or dig into newer keepers and their mistakes too hard - it just chases plenty of people away who could be wonderful keepers, but aren't "perfect".

[@supershepherd]

Within any hobby or community, people have to understand two things. 1: Always be open to learn because no one will ever know everything. 2: People will not want to listen to or learn from you if you are rude and unnecessarily mean.

[@OneandonlyDiante]

4:20 😢 That log scared me in that cage in the back lol. WTF😆

[@asheddingchancerr]

Love love love that you went over all of these topics. Very admirable and super candid!!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

More to come!

[@cynthiadesmeules7359]

The pet trade is definitely not something you do to make money. It's something you do because you love it and you hope to break even.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

agreed

[@VeronicaLeigh79]

The "experience is everything" issue is a huge problem in all communities, not just reptiles. Soooo many arrogant people out there who haven't made any attempt to learn anything new in the past 20 years.

[@Wulfgeist]

Great video and great points! I've only been in the hobby of keeping/breeding (mainly royal pythons)for 4 years and after my first two snakes I went right to racks. After a time I realized there is more to these lovely creatures than most people believe. I'd love to transition to enclosures for them all but in the meantime I am working with choice based handling and enrichment. I already do it to an extent with my babies as I want those getting their first baby snake to have a positive experience and would like to see the snake stay in the home as long as possible.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

this is really cool!

[@6strings735]

I think choice-based handling helps tremendously when using a more space-limited housing method. It allows their brains to be challenged a bit and provides manageable stress (the good stress.) The noticeable result is far less nervous pacing in the cage.

[@CliffTheAlien]

Silly goose here. Can confirm, practice doesn't make perfect. Been walking for years, but I always be trippin.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

same dawg

[@neilchace1858]

As someone who works in the zoo world, where mixed-species exhibits and cohabitation (both with reptiles and other species) is more common than in the reptile hobby, there's one thing I want to add on to the point about cohabitation: individual personalities and temperaments are key. Many cohabitations that may work with some individuals, may not work with all individuals of that species. There will always be exceptions to the rule, so if you are going to attempt to house multiple animals together, make sure to watch them carefully and have the ability to separate individuals or species as necessary. This applies both to intraspecific and interspecific cohabitation. Furthermore, one common thing I hear in the zoo community is "any mix works until it doesn't". This means don't assume that because animals get along on day 1 means that will always be the case. There have been cases of animals coexisting for years without issue, until one day they turn on each other and get aggressive. So it's important to always be vigilant and pay attention to the behaviors, well-being, and temperaments of animals involved, as mixes can very quickly unravel. That being said, when mixes do work, they can be very enriching and beneficial both for the animals and human observers.

[@vanessavieux7283]

I want to say thank you I love your videos have a super day have a great day have a nice day wicked wickens reptile

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Thanks! You too!

[@Kippycube]

This is why I like you, you have common sense and nuanced opinions. You don't demonize anyone or anything with very little evidence to support it. As for the breeding thing - heaven forbid a breeder can get comfortable and pay their bills doing what they love while all animals are being taken care of properly. My husband breeds darts on a small scale level and it doesn't make him rich by any means but it helps his hobby pay for itself. All frogs are healthy as can be and the hobby has allowed us to interact with other likeminded people. All of that sounds pretty positive to me 😊

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Well said, thank you

[@Paula-sw2tt]

My dad had a ton of sayings. One of them is "Experience is a dear teacher, but a fool will learn from no other". Do your research.

[@dannybeaty3486]

Hi Adam! I really enjoy your videos! Reptiles have long had a bad rap and I'm always happy when somebody stands up for reptiles. I hope you will do a video about those little green turtles they used to sell in department stores (I heard they stopped selling those little green turtles because they carry salmonella,) . Keep up the great work!

[@littlegirlinplad]

Thank you for this. A lot of the reptile sub reddits have become toxic and spewing out everything you talked about. It is very frustrating and makes me not want to post or ask questions. Too bad you don't have time to moderate a sub reddit. You could make your own with a more friendly atmosphere.

[@Jennziilla]

All i could focus on after 4:20 was the log that tipped over in the enclosure behind you lol

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

hahaha that's Diamond's enclosure so it was empty, I had to get the log out of the way to grab him for the video and just tossed it back in there

[@RageUnicorn]

I always tell people that common sense isn’t as common as you may think. What’s common sense to one person isn’t common to another, as frustrating as it may be.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

I totally agree!

[@jellyfrog3925]

I haven’t watched in a while but I love this new intro

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

glad to have you back!

[@loriw2661]

I completely agree. The other thing that’s missing in a lot of peoples thoughts is, nuance. Many times it’s not “A or E” it’s somewhere in between. 🐍❤️🐍

[@jotsu3689]

Oo thats the idea I wanted to see "most shared myths about reptiles", I'm really happy you made this episode even if its not because of my comment

[@steviekyme9153]

What I love about you and your Chanel is sometimes you videos can feel like 'bottom barrel' for content sake but then you watch the videos and they are awesome. I mean this as a total compliments keep it up!

[@bobbiec2829]

I like that motto - perfect practice makes perfect! Also, I agree that the majority of people in the reptile hobby are amazing - so helpful.

[@xBloodxFangx]

I would just add two more. One being "You HAVE to work up to owning this reptile by having this other reptile first" I had both people and breeders tell me this, saying things like if you want a beared dragon you HAVE to get a leopard gecko so you can understand how to care for it and then "Level up" to a beardie. Or getting a corn snake, then a hognose, then a ball python. Its not required, and if you dont want one over the other (say the leo vs the beardie) then dont get it and go for the one you actually want while doing research on that reptiles care. Second one is.... sand is horrible! I was kicked from a discord reptile group for asking if sand was bad for a beardie. I was called abusive and terrible and that I should have never got a bearded dragon if Im just gonna kill it with sand. Well, my beardie lived on sand for years just fine. In some cases, yes, sand can be bad, especially if it gets wet a lot and clumps but its not an instant "Your reptile will die!!!" animal abuse and in many cases people dont know better to not use just sand so dont yell at them and call them abusive terrible owners. Just guide them on perhaps other beddings or how to mix the sand with other substrates, but its not an instant reptile killer.

[@simpled5755]

I want to add onto your 1st point. I preached this soo much my whole life it’s ridiculous the amount of times I’ve seen someone say “I love Retics, does anyone have any advice?” And then ppl say crap like “you ain’t ready for Retics, you should get a ball Python to start out” I know someone personally who wanted a Gaboon viper since he was 6, he waited 12 YEARS and constantly researched them during that time, learning everything there is to know, when he turned 18 he got his keepers permit and took a handling course, and this whole time ppl was telling him things like “you need to start with x, to prepare you for it. That’s not a beginner species.” But he was hella persistent and eventually got a Gaboon viper (after being turned down by 2 Breeders who said that he wasn’t ready) and now has had it for nearly 2 years, also has other species. Never had a close call.

[@ItsMasonMoney]

They were thinking of calcium sand. It will kill your animal but people have completely freaked out and now think it's all loose substrates. Sand is fine for some animals.

[@ItsMasonMoney]

@@simpled5755 that's actually pretty cool. Gabboons are beautiful

[@shawnlarochelle4255]

Well said brotha!!!!! Thank you for this

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

I appreciate you!

[@michaelmckenna14]

100% nailed every point mate and often these are the toxic crap that makes me not want to talk to many keepers

[@plop1]

Just noticed you're from the same city as I am(based on your Pen Center mailing address). That is awesome! Been enjoying your content for a while now. Are you going to be at the Toronto expo this month? Cheers!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

I'll see you there

[@lastblood8550]

Can you do a video explaining breeeding snakes? Which genes are carried on and how all that works

[@joshuaanderson340]

the log at 4:20 was a paid actor

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Paid well too

[@yapper_is_here]

eeemmmm... some hardscape fell in the background

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

yep, that was Diamond's enclosure I tore apart before filming to get him form behind the log

[@homesteadreptiles2222]

They're actually quite a few Studies have come out on the socialite of garter snakes. They have found that garter snakes are extremely social.

[@bettazoid]

I guess I'm sort of a crossover from fish keeping and we just have one reptile (so far!) but the issues are pretty much the same. Especially when I first started, I lived in fear of forgetting to list my water parameters and temps before I asked any questions...

[@MelyoraMel]

I also have fish tanks for a few years now and working to my first vivarium for a reptile, but I feel ya! When I talk to people new to fish keeping I give them the ‘textbook’ advise (cycle before you add fish, species compatibility, keep an eye on your parameters) but I always press that there are multiple roads to Rome, and that there is not 1 perfect way to do it. You should do your research, find common grounds and contradictions in sources and do what you feel best with and comfortable in doing.

[@rottweilerfun9520]

Really good video Adam ! One terrible myth is that Bearded Dragons only eat Left Ears , they just get put on the left shoulder more often. Ask Diamond, he'll tell you.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

fair point!

[@joshpeterson2203]

On the cohabiting issue. I love my co habed garter snake tank. It actually makes them more calm, and I like watching them

[@ItsMasonMoney]

My baby garters like to try and sleep in the same spot and it's kinda cute because they all pack themselves like sardines 🤣

[@griffynshu]

In the veterinary field there's Continuing Education, CE, that you're required to complete to maintain your license. In WA state, for example, I need 30 hours every 3 years, the idea being that this is how you stay up on the new things since you graduated and are always applying the best medicine. I assume other fields have this, too, but it's kind of the backbone of science. We should always be expanding our knowledge and be willing to update our practices when new data comes along. The old ways are only wrong if you refused to improve when you learned better.

[@Baka.senpai.]

I’m sorry but the log that fell in the background at 4:21 has me laughing. Love your videos tho!

[@ChantalsCritters]

This was a really great video. So many great points.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Thanks so much!

[@NadiiDK]

my bps live in a 30 gallon per tub rack system, i have one rescue bp who is extremely skittish and would flee from any food but after putting her in the rack she started eating. my two other bps would probably be fine in tanks though and i hope to one day have tanks for them since they're also in the rack right now

[@danasmith8557]

Thank u Adam for having guts to teach on these topics. great video thanx for sharing I learn so much from watching ur videos!! Thanx

[@matinatina2118]

You reminded me of a great comment in a fb group where I said that 10 years ago I had a single rat and I used to put her in a ball running around the house (there wasn’t so much info then) and someone told me that I should never have any pet ever again…(while I was researching for the best ways to keep a hamster for my daughter before we get the hamster) 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Serpentshaun]

Love the verstappen example 😂didn’t expect to hear something about f1 haha

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

I listen to Billy ramble about F1 enough on the MMP I catch on to some things about the sport

[@loes6839]

As a Dutch person, it's so funny how you said Max Verstappen😅🤣

[@alioli7633]

Gartner snakes ❤ I have 0.4 in a big enclosure. They thrive and doing great ❤ love them.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

so great to hear!

[@alioli7633]

@@WickensWickedReptiles thank you for your reply ! That made my day. I swear garter snakes need more love. I know they are not very popular... even over here in Germany they aren't popular. I don't get why. Well, okay you guys have them over there in the wild lol. They come in toooons of colors, are great for first time keepers, aren't big snakes, adorable and you can cohab them, which makes is so much cuter to watch them cuddle in different colors. If you did your research how to keep them, they make great and easy pet snakes. One of my garter snakes, Kalros, is soooo attached to me. It's unbelievable! I just loooooove them! I turned from a "cat person" to a "snakes person" in no time 😂 best choice I made 2 years back. Greetings from Germany 😍 love your videos!

[@deanteechtinaw2547]

so are we not going to talk about how the log in the back fell lol

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

That's Diamond's enclosure, I moved stuff around to grab him before the shoot so it was just thrown in there randomly until I put it back together when I out Diamond back after the shoot.

[@DeChane369]

That last point when you started talking about breeding for the love of the animals and all that stuff I instantly started to think of Brian Barczyk

[@nightinggale6470]

Brian is awful for a number of reasons. His animals are not being kept in appropriate setups and many are unhealthy.

[@DeChane369]

@@nightinggale6470 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@nightinggale6470]

@@DeChane369 sure buddy. There is an abundance of evidence that he doesn’t keep his animals ethically.

[@DeChane369]

@@nightinggale6470 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@DevinLaVore]

WOW, bro :) Very good stuff :) Especially the "experience" part at the beginning...

[@kearstinnekenerson6676]

I made a huge bioactive enclose for my feeder crickets in a tote and I got baby crickets jumping around now and my Dalmatian isopods had babies too the springtails are popping right now and I feel like it’s just the best thing ever because I just wanted something pretty and my crickets reproduced and the babies are eating and growing woot woot accidentally breeding feeders

[@alexlevin5466]

Can I have a baby ball python in a big enclosure if I don’t want to change size?

[@perishthen5164]

I didn’t even realize that these were issues in the community. I’m relatively new and only recently discovered my passion for reptiles, and I’m just trying to vibe with cool animals. Though I do 100% agree with what’s being discussed here though which is why I’m pursuing exotic veterinary.

[@kimcrawford5247]

Reptile Myth… snakes seek you out to attack you.

[@RoMaKra]

Unfortunately as is often the case, bad news sells better. It's really people who are not acquainted with the hobby/ lifestyle who are going to be drawn to negative headlines and comments. How many new people are going to read "excellent reptile keeper does his/her best to care for their pets" vs "THEY ALL DIED!!" Seriously, good job Adam for advocating for the responsible keepers/breeders, and as always the three R's: research, research, research!

[@WickedWildlife]

Fantastic as always Adam As an extension to number one I’d say the typical “I’m more experienced because I keep X amount of animals or breed X amount of species I know folks who have been zookeepers at amazing facilities but have people assume they don’t know much about keeping because they are happy with 1-2 animals at home or have no intention on breeding

[@RockyP77]

practice makes PROGRESS

[@chrisriley5049]

Thank you for the VER reference. Bridging hobbies. Love it!

[@loganmorley-ez2rg]

4:20 log falls in the background, and he doesn't even flinch lol.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

That's Diamond's enclosure, I moved stuff around to grab him before the shoot so it was just thrown in there randomly until I put it back together when I out Diamond back after the shoot.

[@loganmorley-ez2rg]

@@WickensWickedReptiles oh, I wasn't doubting any of your enclosures, I just loved how there was no flinch, and you watch in the corner as it comes crashing, and you hear the loud bang, lol.

[@lorrainemunoa791]

Love this! I only got snakes this year- I don't have forty years of keeping BPs. But I have actually been heavily involved in the keeping of an animal of some kind for twenty years, including other reptiles, even doing things like injections and daily medications as taught by a vet. So I'm no expert with 30 years, but I am an adequate keeper for snakes, because I know about research, enrichment, and humidity, and dietary supplements, and so on. And I rely on the experts to get good advice of many kinds and then sort it to see what works for my animals. I keep both snakes in a little bit cooler ambient air temps than is usual, and a couple of longtime experts gave me the idea to try it. They still have hotspot hides warm enough to ensure digestion, but they don't hide in em all the time. They even use their cool side hides regularly. It might not be a common approach, but the support of experts who've tested it means I feel confident experimenting.

[@TheCharleseye]

"Practice makes permanent. If you practice wrong, you'll just get really good at doing the wrong thing." - My sons' wrestling coach

[@dagmarborn8914]

About the no.1 I was at my first ever reptile expo a month or two ago(hehe thnx for getting me into the hobby😝) and there was such a massive difference in breeders. I have researched a lot of beginner species and loved talking to the vendors and asking more in depth questions to the people working with these animals on th daily. the INSTANT loss of interest from some people, the second you explain you’re researching and looking and not buying yet. For some people that’s just conversation over. In some cases it’s quite easy to differentiate the people who love the hobby and want to spread the word, and the people that prefer spending their time on paying customers. (Disclaimer, not that there is anything wrong with either, exactly for the reasons you name in thus Video😊)

[@xBloodxFangx]

When I go to expos my first red flag for money vs quality breeders is they wont even let you hold the animal. Unless you say you wanna buy it, you cant touch it. So then how can you feel that bond and know you want to take that reptile home? Or inspect it to make sure its healthy and well cared for? Most good breeders Ive met are more than thrilled that you wanna hold and love on their reptiles and interact with them, even if you dont buy one, thats not what its about. Its about making that connection and if the spark isnt there it isnt there, but they still enjoy that people are interested or wanna just talk about them.

[@briannaharter4411]

@@xBloodxFangx to be fair a breeder may not want to let you hold a animal unless you are planning to buy it to not stress out the animal and to avoid disease spread. but not being willing to answer basic care questions is a red flag.

[@Aaron_786]

i didn't watch the video yet but there are WAY to many myths

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

there sure are

[@jameskaylorii]

Why do people point to the upper right corner to click on something, but there's nothing to click on that was referenced.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

are you watching on a TV?

[@gregnikitin8954]

Thank you Adam! We are AWESOME!!!!

[@wpsreptiles]

You nailed this one Adam! Great video!

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

hey thanks man!

[@reptilesrodents]

Adam's just crazy what you do is buy a great white or actually just take one from the wild. There is plenty right. Then you stick it in the jacuzzi. Every now and then, to simulate a storm, turn on the jets. I have been doing it for years, so I know. Lol. Sorry bud, I had to.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

Well said! what a great plan! What's yours named?

[@reptilesrodents]

@Wickens Wicked Reptiles actually I didn't want to mention it but my great white passed. His name was sammy...

[@squeegee-c]

How do I know if a breeder is reputable or not? Of course there’s online reviews, but how do I know if the breeder’s been power feeding their snakes? I don’t want to inadvertently buy a snake with a shortened life span

[@AAs-vb7pv]

Every one can learn something new even pros I get what you saying :) good vid :) your reptile room looks amazing to Nice work

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

thank you!

[@thecoshman]

I've a pair of Angolan Pythons that I co-hab, and they seem to love being together. They move up and down the tank almost always as a pair, even down to the cool end. And yeah, totally looking forward to those snake babies, the money would be great sure, but I just want to help see bring more of these amazing snakes to the market; in Ireland, as far as I know, there's very few people with them, let alone a pair that will hopefully be breading!

[@MrBeefy-og7nw]

Great videos of Diamond. He's so awesome!

[@bnutz3k]

I actually paid for a 1on1 call with a notable domestic uromastyx breeder to get more definitive answers to my questions (they offered it as part of their Patreon), and they alleviated my concerns I wasn't doing enough. The expert/long time keepers are often going to go overboard, because why wouldn't you put your sweet baby in a giant mansion enclosure? Sometimes they're downright hostile and condescending. My advice is to ignore those people in almost every instance. Pick not only an expert, but a well-established breeder and hit them up for a conversation!

[@MikeBronson515]

Genuine question. What is the point of breeding exotic exotic animals just so they can be kept in captivity? Unless it actually serves some kind of conservation, or ecological purpose? We already overbreed so many domestic animals that either end up strays, or have to be killed in shelters. Now Florida is a Petrie dish of exotic animals (especially reptiles) that from what we are told are decimating the native wildlife, and have to be hunted in mass. So at what point does someone’s love, and passion for keeping, and breeding these animals become too costly for people, native ecosystems, and the animals you breed, import, and keep? Bit of a broad stroke question, and not meant to be hostile. Just something that really doesn’t seem to add up cost/benefit wise Appreciate your channel by the way

[@lexlovesvintage]

I loved the "doesn't have to be perfect" part! I don't feed my Rankins everyday cus sometimes there's still a cricket in there and she's just like MEH. So I read her mood before giving food. A plate of untouched salad is kind of a waste lol.

[@powerhouseexotics]

I also hate how breeders will get hate when we mention that we have made a profit. I've been breeding gliders for a few years now and I've been doing pretty well with it as a side hobby (not enough to make a living just enough to fuel my program further) and even other breeders will bash us for making profits

[@Kitsune1989]

Another myth. You can't keep chameleons/sensitive species in a glass enclosure. The problem arose mostly from lack of knowledge *at the time they first really started to appear commonly in the hobby* about things like heat and humidity building up in glass. And the lack of enclosures built specifically for reptiles with ventilation instead of just mesh lid fish aquarium type deals at the time. Now we know more about creating a gradient and airflow/circulation. We know that having a fan drawing air to the top help keep things moving and getting too high either in heat or humidity. Hell, my meller's is just now 13y and lived in glass all his life with until recently (old old age related) no health issues. It also depends on your area. I wouldn't recommend glass in Florida for instance for a chameleon because of how hot it gets there anyway. To easy to overheat. But for ghe part of Canada I live you can't keep a lot of species without the control that glass gives. Yesterday it was warm enough to take my boys outside with no problem and wear a t-shirt. This morning I had to dump hot water on my car to thaw it enough to open the door and wear a heated jacket. Those kind of temperature swings are not uncommon yhis time of year here. Without the stability of glass (if I was using pure mesh like is still recommended and occasionally demonized if you dont) and it'd ability to retain heat my more sensitive reptiles would probably notvluve the winter>spring changeover. Certainly not without medical issues cropping up.

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

I agree, well said

[@saralou123]

Great points! 👏🏻

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

thanks!

[@aboveyou686]

“Will somebody please think of the children!” -WWR(maybe)

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

something like that!

[@Lizardwizardz204]

I would like to add one that kept me from getting reptiles “ they don’t feel emotions and don’t care for u” that’s not true no they can’t love like a dog but they have their own way like they free roam and they will hang out with u they will snuggle they will look for u ur reptiles won’t love u like a dog but they will bond with u and enjoy ur company

[@partariothegoth]

I volunteer at a nature center and there are two ball pythons that to my amazement (even after almost 4 years) somehow cohab well. No one can understand it but they're thriving and have been since before the current employees started working there so we let them stay together

[@joelschuck8650]

Pls do a 2023 room toor the cages look so different

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

coming up!

[@DMsReptiles]

Such a great video! You are such an inspiration to the hobby. ❤❤

[@monsterkajiu1912]

One myth is "If you support this or don't support that, you're dead to the hobby".

[@WickensWickedReptiles]

agreed!!