NovenomSEAsia on 2008-08-31
Say what you will about the late Steve Irwin, however his name is spelled, but he did incredible things for conservation in Australia and deserves respect. I didn't like his show, a little too over the top for my taste, but that isn't the point. Jeff Corwin, on the other hand, is just about at hero level for me. He's about the same age, my students even think we look alike. He's a little more natural and funny than me while still being informative. I love his real excitement about nature. I don't think there's anything wrong with what he's doing. Actually it's one of my favorite shows, I rush home to watch it on weekdays. You might think he's an idiot, but I imagine he's doing more towards changing peoples attitudes towards reptiles than you expect.
Mwilson on 2008-08-28
My neibor just got bit by a Timber Rattler, in Harnett co on the border of Wake co, I didnt think we had timbers here? I love snakes and havent looked for a rattler since I left Jacksonville.
LadyBloodRose on 2008-08-15
people are to qiock to calls omeone an "expert" espiclay on youtube. While I try an look up an read an find out as much information as i possibly can about species I keep - I don't call myself an expert. It tickels me to death when I find out something I didn't know before.
As Chris Harper posted the defination as webster gives it of what an expert is by defination. It doesn't mean that thats realy what it is in reality.
Knowledge is usless unless you share it. Some people on youtube post outstanding videos. Some are verry informitive, some are entertainig. An yes you come across idiots who you just want to see get taged because they are doings omething stupid. While many may not like the fact that there are people who do stupid things such as free handeling a EDB in the confines of their small bedroom with their dog running around their feet, most only see that, the stupidity. But what they miss is how the animal is cared for, the looks of the animal, or the fact that the owner of the animal (hopefuly the idiot handeling it) actualy cares for the snake.
It brings up something else to - my sister asked me "why would you want to keep a venomus snake? you can't hold it, or anythin." My answer was simple. Just because I can't cuddel it like i would my ball python doesn't mean i love it any less.
Youtube viewers can be verry cruel, an rather then offer constructive advice or comments, they immediately put down an try an lower a persons selfesteem, an berate them for what they did.
It's like the situation that constantly revolves around Muffdaddy. I don't have anything against him or his friend mike. Both in my short exprence of talking to them have been constructive,an polite to me when we have exchanged messages or comments, an while they may seem goofy, or stupid or what have you in their videos they do seem least to me to geuinely care for their critters. thats my opion conserning all that like it or not eh i dun realy care personaly.
This video was verry well done. some beautiful rattlers where shown, the videos presentation was good not drab an boring. an you know I think thats something else. When you watch a video if its drab, an boring we don't find any intrest in it, we want to see that lil pitch of excitement, drama, or danger. gah i'm startin to drag on here lol so i'll leave it at this cuz i know yall are tired of my spellin errors by now!:
Great video :) definately will have to find iton youtube an add it to my favorites.
I find it necessary to point out to you than such persons as the late Steve Irwin as well as Jeff Corwin are amongst the learned hot snake community, and that Steve Irwin, as we all know did not die from handling hot snakes, but in an encounter with a ray whilst at depth.
There are those of us in the snake community that freehand hots professionally and purposefully, and should these handlers be knowledgeable in such methods, I consider it their business.
There are those of us in the snake community that do NOT freehand hots, of which I am a part of, I consider it OUR business. I personally do not consider myself adequately skilled to freehand hot snakes, I shall not criticize those that for whatever reason must freehand them, rather,w hen I see such a thing, I find myself riveted to my seat, holding my breath, keeping my fingers crossed.
Down to my point, it serves no purpose to "eat" our own in the hot snake community, if you consider the freehandlers nuts, that is fine, the fact that those of us that are fang freaks even HAVE hot snakes makes us ALL nuts. In short, "HI POT! This is KETTLE! Guess what? You're BLACK"! ;o)
Daviewonder on 2008-07-03
Dear cressm3,
Are you sure you e-mailed 'the late Steve Erwin?' You spelt his name wrong, and I'm sorry, but how can you criticise Steve Irwin and Jeff Corwin, when they acheived great sucsess in their lives (and still are in the case of Jeff Corwin)?
Obviously your style of handling venomous snakes is different to theirs, but who are you to say that its incorrect? Personally, I greatly admire the way 'Mr. Erwin' handled snakes, epecially ones that could end his life in a quick flurry of movement.
David
cressm3 on 2008-06-22
I used to e-mail The Late Mr Erwin, and try to get him to explain why he would handle the snakes in a reckless manner, and same to Mr. Corwin, who stills wraps his thumb under the lower jaw of viperids he pins and handles---Steve sent me a picture of him and his family, thanking me for my interest( I sent him pictures of snakes in my collection to back up my experience ). Jeff never returned my e-mail at all. So long as " experts " are going to handle venomous snakes in so reckless a manner--whats the real message being presented to the public. I also teach about snakes--and I have never found the reason to lay hands on a hot snake, I have tools for that, nor do I pin snake or advocate that.
Barry
Barry
HMCZ on 2008-06-19
Chance, right on. This vid does a much better job at presenting snakes in an interesting, non-threatening way. I especially liked the last part when he just points to C. ademanteus and doesn't try to tail it. Good facts, and nice face shot of the rattler. Nice work! I just hope people will begin to realize that snakes aren't out to kill us.
Chance on 2008-06-08
Personally, I thought this video was of much greater quality in both information and presentation than many of the other "herp experts" (muff?) floating around YouTube. I would much rather see young people out presenting real educational aspects of these maligned animals than watch some idiot see how well he can handle a hot on camera. Aaron's video does not qualify as the latter.
As for how comfortable or uncomfortable he is or appears...well, like Josh said, even experienced handlers can become excited or agitated when handling unknown animals. I've pulled copperheads off the road for years, and I never fail to be surprised by how crazy one or two can be.
Chris_Harper on 2008-06-08
Jim,
That's only a sliver of the population, however they are unignorable, like the proverbial "turd in the punchbowl". :-) I think that a better way of approaching this is for all of us to put out some kind of educational video, including you!
Chris
krz on 2008-06-08
Chris,
The general public view anyone that would handle a snake as an expert. Their fear of snakes allows them to believe that anyone that would handle or own them must know everything about them. YouTube and the internet have many experts. Some know a lot about the animals but most just play experts on the internet. Some of the most interesting videos we have up or that I have seen on youtube have very few views. We have posted info on Snakebite Myths, snakes breeding/ hatching and field work. Most of the views are of venom extractions. Comments by viewers show me that they want to just see me get bitten not be educated.
Sad state of mind. I would have hoped we would have moved farther as a society.
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