Hi all,

I'm doing a research project for college on the hypothesis "The majority of reptile keepers are responsible owners." I need people to answer a pilot questionaire. The actual questionaire will be aimed at the British keepers but I need a different group to try out the pilot questionaire for me and I was hoping that some of you would be prepared to do this. As the questionaire is aimed at the British the RSPCA is mentioned, for this read ASPCA. Either post your answers or PM them to me. Thanks in advance.

1. What age group are you?

A. 0-15 B. 16-25 C. 26-35 D. 36-45 E. 46-55 F. 56+

2. Are you male or female?

A. Male B. Female

Regarding the last reptile you bought:

3. Did you research the animal's needs before you bought it?

A. Yes B. No C. Don't know

4. Did you have a vivarium set up before you bought the animal?

A. Yes B. No C. Don't know

5. Did the pet shop/ breeder give you information regarding the animal when you bought it?

A. Yes B. No C. Don't know

6. Were you warned of any risks the animal may pose to humans with regards to size, temperament or disease?

A. Yes B. No C. Don't know

7. Did the pet shop/breeder ask about your set up before you bought the animal?

A. Yes B. No C. Don't know

8. Do you think there should be more controls over who can purchase reptiles such as a liscensing system?

A. Yes B. No C. Don't know

9. Do you think potential owners should have set ups checked before the sale of the animal is agreed?

A. Yes B. No C. Don't know

10. Do you agree with large boas and pythons being added to the Dangerous Wild Animals List?

A. Yes B. No C. Don't know

11. Do you think the RSPCA should be given more powers to confiscate reptiles from homes they deem unsuitable?

A. Yes B. No C. Don't know

12. How do you feel the media portray reptile keeping?

A. Positively B. Neutrally C. Negatively

13. Have you had any negative responses from family or friends towards your reptiles?

A. Yes B. No C. Don't know

14. Do you feel that the general public is predujiced against the keeping of reptiles?

A. Yes B. No C. Don't know

15 Do you think that reptiles are ideal pets for people with busy lives?

A. Yes B. No C. Don't know

If you sell reptiles please answer the following:

16. Do you question the potential owners regarding their knowledge of the animal before you allow them to buy it?

A. Yes B. No C. Don't know

17. Do you provide a caresheet with the animal including details of its last shed and feed?

A. Yes B. No C. Don't know

18. Have you ever refused to sell an animal to a person because you felt they had insufficient knowledge regarding the animal's needs?

A. Yes B. No C. Don't know

Ok I'll go for it!

1. What age group are you?
E. 46-55

2. Are you male or female?
A. Male

Regarding the last reptile you bought:

3. Did you research the animal's needs before you bought it?
B. No, however I already had prior knowledge.

4. Did you have a vivarium set up before you bought the animal?
A. Yes

5. Did the pet shop/ breeder give you information regarding the animal when you bought it?
B. No, However it was known that I was an experienced keeper

6. Were you warned of any risks the animal may pose to humans with regards to size, temperament or disease?
B. No

7. Did the pet shop/breeder ask about your set up before you bought the animal?
B. No

8. Do you think there should be more controls over who can purchase reptiles such as a liscensing system?
A. Yes. however I am not in favor of a licensing system as there is too much potential for abuse. And the bad keepers would not abide by it anyway.

9. Do you think potential owners should have set ups checked before the sale of the animal is agreed?
B. No. There is no guarantee that whoever is required to inspect the facicilties would have any idea what they were looking for. Again to much potential for abuse

10. Do you agree with large boas and pythons being added to the Dangerous Wild Animals List?
B. No it's irresponsible keepers that are the danger.

11. Do you think the RSPCA should be given more powers to confiscate reptiles from homes they deem unsuitable?
B. No RSPCA and HSUS are now political factions.

12. How do you feel the media portray reptile keeping?
C. Negatively. Frequently reptile keepers are portrayed as hoodlums, social deviants and drug dealers.

13. Have you had any negative responses from family or friends towards your reptiles?
A. Yes! My mother will not come to my home!

14. Do you feel that the general public is predujiced against the keeping of reptiles?
A. Yes

15 Do you think that reptiles are ideal pets for people with busy lives?
A. Yes for the most part. Some do require more attention than others.

If you sell reptiles please answer the following:
Not applicable I don't sell reptiles

__________________
Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Good luck with your Research Assignment!

__________________
Regards,
Dominick
_____________________________________________
"Do you watch too much television? Did you do so as a toddler? Evidence tonight that it could be the cause of learning disorders, like attention deficit and hyperact-Ooooh, a kitty!" - Keith Olbermann

OK, I'll answer too!!

1. What age group are you?
D. 36-45
2. Are you male or female?

B. Female

Regarding the last reptile you bought:

3. Did you research the animal's needs before you bought it?

A. Yes

4. Did you have a vivarium set up before you bought the animal?

B. No (But I set it up during the quarantine period -- I had a quarantine box set up.)

5. Did the pet shop/ breeder give you information regarding the animal when you bought it?

B. No (not much)

6. Were you warned of any risks the animal may pose to humans with regards to size, temperament or disease?

A. Yes (she wasn't used to handling and could bite. Reptiles can carry salmonella)

7. Did the pet shop/breeder ask about your set up before you bought the animal?

A. Yes (I bought it from him!)

8. Do you think there should be more controls over who can purchase reptiles such as a liscensing system?

A. Yes (I also think that there should be more controls on who can sell reptiles!!!)

9. Do you think potential owners should have set ups checked before the sale of the animal is agreed?

B. No. But I think all animals should be sold with detailed care sheets and recommendations.

10. Do you agree with large boas and pythons being added to the Dangerous Wild Animals List?

B. No

11. Do you think the RSPCA should be given more powers to confiscate reptiles from homes they deem unsuitable?

A. Yes; (from homes AND SHOPS if they can prove that the conditions are unsuitable.)

12. How do you feel the media portray reptile keeping?

C. Negatively

13. Have you had any negative responses from family or friends towards your reptiles?

A. Yes (Many people won't come to my house anymore I don't have time to entertain anyway!!!)

14. Do you feel that the general public is predujiced against the keeping of reptiles?

A. Yes

15 Do you think that reptiles are ideal pets for people with busy lives?

A. Yes (I believe snakes are perfect. I can't speak for lizards, but snakes definitely because they feed and defecate so infrequently. They don't stink. They are quiet, sleep most of the day, will not disturb the neighbors or feel neglected if you come home late and leave early.... I could go on and on...)

If you sell reptiles please answer the following:

I don't sell reptiles, but if I did, I would answer yes to all of those questions!!!

__________________
Andrea

Hi Beanie!
I'm not American or British so if Portuguese can answer too, here it is.

1. What age group are you?
C. 26-35

2. Are you male or female?
A. Male

Regarding the last reptile you bought:
3. Did you research the animal's needs before you bought it?
A. Yes

4. Did you have a vivarium set up before you bought the animal?
A. Yes (at least partially, still waiting for the UV ballast delivery)

5. Did the pet shop/ breeder give you information regarding the animal when you bought it?
A. Yes (I don't know if it's a yes or a no. They gave me info but most of it wasn't correct)

6. Were you warned of any risks the animal may pose to humans with regards to size, temperament or disease?
B. No (I wasn't given any more info than the one I asked for)

7. Did the pet shop/breeder ask about your set up before you bought the animal?
B. No

8. Do you think there should be more controls over who can purchase reptiles such as a liscensing system?
C. Don't know

9. Do you think potential owners should have set ups checked before the sale of the animal is agreed?
C. Don't know

10. Do you agree with large boas and pythons being added to the Dangerous Wild Animals List?
A. Yes

11. Do you think the RSPCA should be given more powers to confiscate reptiles from homes they deem unsuitable?
A. Yes

12. How do you feel the media portray reptile keeping?
C. Negatively

13. Have you had any negative responses from family or friends towards your reptiles?
B. No

14. Do you feel that the general public is predujiced against the keeping of reptiles?
B. No

15 Do you think that reptiles are ideal pets for people with busy lives?
A. Yes

If you sell reptiles please answer the following:
I don't sell.
....................................

I have mixed feeling regarding questions #8 and #9, so I thought answer C is the more appropriate one.
I don't like police, nor do I like people that like to police others. Usually this leads to abuse situations.
If I think there should be more control or check ups over someone, it should be on the sellers (pet shops, distributors, breeders, etc) and not the buyers.
In the last couple of weeks, I've visited a large number of pet shops and talked to everyone there as well as some breeders.
I don't pretend to know anything about reptile keeping but the quantity and quality of the info I was given shocked me. A lot of people don't know (or are amazing liars) what they are talking about.
In a large number of occasions, I've seen reptiles kept in less than bare conditions. Like everything else in life, when there is money involved, everything else comes second...

Good luck with your project! Let us know if there is anything else we can do and I would also love to see the data when it is compiled.

1. What age group are you?

D. 36-45

2. Are you male or female?

B. Female

Regarding the last reptile you bought:

3. Did you research the animal's needs before you bought it?

A. Yes

4. Did you have a vivarium set up before you bought the animal?

A. Yes

5. Did the pet shop/ breeder give you information regarding the animal when you bought it?

B. No

6. Were you warned of any risks the animal may pose to humans with regards to size, temperament or disease?

B. No

7. Did the pet shop/breeder ask about your set up before you bought the animal?

B. No

8. Do you think there should be more controls over who can purchase reptiles such as a liscensing system?

B. No

9. Do you think potential owners should have set ups checked before the sale of the animal is agreed?

A. Yes

10. Do you agree with large boas and pythons being added to the Dangerous Wild Animals List?

B. No

11. Do you think the RSPCA should be given more powers to confiscate reptiles from homes they deem unsuitable?

A. Yes

12. How do you feel the media portray reptile keeping?

C. Negatively

13. Have you had any negative responses from family or friends towards your reptiles?

A. Yes

14. Do you feel that the general public is predujiced against the keeping of reptiles?

A. Yes

15 Do you think that reptiles are ideal pets for people with busy lives?

A. Yes

If you sell reptiles please answer the following:

(haven't sold any reptiles yet, but plan on breeding in the future)

16. Do you question the potential owners regarding their knowledge of the animal before you allow them to buy it?

A. Yes (I would)

17. Do you provide a caresheet with the animal including details of its last shed and feed?

A. Yes (Definately)

18. Have you ever refused to sell an animal to a person because you felt they had insufficient knowledge regarding the animal's needs?

B. No (not yet)

Good luck with your research!!

1. What age group are you?

C. 26-35

2. Are you male or female?

B. Female

Regarding the last reptile you bought:
Cornsnake

3. Did you research the animal's needs before you bought it?

A. Yes

4. Did you have a vivarium set up before you bought the animal?

A. Yes

5. Did the pet shop/ breeder give you information regarding the animal when you bought it?

A. Yes

6. Were you warned of any risks the animal may pose to humans with regards to size, temperament or disease?

B. No

7. Did the pet shop/breeder ask about your set up before you bought the animal?

B. No

8. Do you think there should be more controls over who can purchase reptiles such as a liscensing system?

B. No

9. Do you think potential owners should have set ups checked before the sale of the animal is agreed?

B. No

10. Do you agree with large boas and pythons being added to the Dangerous Wild Animals List?

B. No - the owners are the dangerous ones

11. Do you think the RSPCA should be given more powers to confiscate reptiles from homes they deem unsuitable?

B. No

12. How do you feel the media portray reptile keeping?

C. Negatively

13. Have you had any negative responses from family or friends towards your reptiles?

A. Yes

14. Do you feel that the general public is predujiced against the keeping of reptiles?

A. Yes - reptiles are perceived as evil and gross. they are just uneducated.

15 Do you think that reptiles are ideal pets for people with busy lives?

A. Yes - it all depends on the reptile that is owned, some require little care.

If you sell reptiles please answer the following:

16. Do you question the potential owners regarding their knowledge of the animal before you allow them to buy it?

A. Yes

17. Do you provide a caresheet with the animal including details of its last shed and feed?

A. Yes

18. Have you ever refused to sell an animal to a person because you felt they had insufficient knowledge regarding the animal's needs?

B. No - i help them get educated

__________________
MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

I believe your hypothesis is wrong (at least in the US), except that the majority of poor reptile keepers keep them for a rather short time, reducing their total percentage of the keeper population. I believe that over 80% of reptiles sold from retail stores will never have adequate care, most probably die within the year...

Sounds interesting, however you might want to note that Americans have a different view of the world than the British and commonwealth countries. This will seriously skew your results.


1. What age group are you?
16-25

2. Are you male or female?
Male

Regarding the last reptile you bought:

3. Did you research the animal's needs before you bought it?
No - I already had experience. Research alone is inadequate, continuous learning is required.

4. Did you have a vivarium set up before you bought the animal?
Yes

5. Did the pet shop/ breeder give you information regarding the animal when you bought it?
Yes - Mostly incorrect.

6. Were you warned of any risks the animal may pose to humans with regards to size, temperament or disease?
Yes - Said they could carry Salmonella, but nothing regarding size nor how potentially dangerous they could be.

7. Did the pet shop/breeder ask about your set up before you bought the animal?
Yes - An upsell of a starter set, nothing more.

8. Do you think there should be more controls over who can purchase reptiles such as a liscensing system?
No (But I might support a licensing system for retail stores that wish to sell them, due to the specialized requirements. Most retail stores are death camps for reptiles.)

9. Do you think potential owners should have set ups checked before the sale of the animal is agreed?
No

10. Do you agree with large boas and pythons being added to the Dangerous Wild Animals List?
No - It's your responsibility to choose a suitable pet.

11. Do you think the RSPCA should be given more powers to confiscate reptiles from homes they deem unsuitable?
No

12. How do you feel the media portray reptile keeping?
Negatively

13. Have you had any negative responses from family or friends towards your reptiles?
Yes - Many.

14. Do you feel that the general public is predujiced against the keeping of reptiles?
Yes

15 Do you think that reptiles are ideal pets for people with busy lives?
No - Few pets are good for people with busy lives, especially reptiles, which have special needs that must be carefully monitored.

If you sell reptiles please answer the following:
I do not sell reptiles.

I would think that there are different laws between the British and US in purchasing and ownership of reptiles. Some species that may be legal to own here, may not be there- but then again, you did say you were only testing this on us, so I suppose it wouldn't matter.

__________________
Chinese Water Dragon: Octavius
Leopard Gecko: Leopatra
Caledonian Crested Gecko: Petri
Coastal Rosy Boa: Rosy (for now lol)
Grey Cockatiel: Wayne

Caledonian Gargoyle Gecko: Unnamed
Malaysian Golden Gecko: Unnamed
Mediterranean Gecko: Unnamed
Frog-eyed Gecko: Unnamed
Green Basilisk: Unnamed

Yeah, yeah... They'll get names eventually...
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Commodus: 10/24