I have lost count of the number of forums I have been a member of at one time or another. I am still a member of a couple of other herp forums, but stopped visiting some sites as well. The reason? Either immature or rude people.

I have so much respect for people here for several reasons:

1. There are some seasoned herp keepers - not everyone is a 12 year old kid. Nothing at all wrong with kids, but it is nice talking to other adults once in a while.

2. When someone posts a pic of a set-up that might need adjusting, the responses are kind and constructive. I have yet to see anyone get flamed unless they instigate something. Even then, they are dealt with the utmost maturity.

3. There is a VAST amount of knowledge that you all share. Even your best "herp secrets" are free to all. It's the love of the animals that rules here.

4. You don't mind the same questions over and over. Sometimes, you are even kind enough to find and post a link to a thread on the same topic .

5. This site covers all the bases. Cornsnakes.com is awesome. But when I want to discuss my whole collection HerpCenter is just the place.

6. There is so much more, but I will end on this... You make everyone feel welcome. I like the other sites I am on, some are excellent with really great people. As a whole, however, this place really does feel like "home".

Thank you, everyone. I really do apprciate you all.

So nice, brought a big smile to my face

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~Jason Richardson

Thank you for the kind words Knox...we treat members the way we would want to be treat, if we have to reanswer questions so be it, thats why we are here.

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MARSHA
A man without a woman is a bachelor, A woman without a man is a genius!.

We have enough youth, how about a fountain of smart!

Indeed Michael, thank you! Posts such as yours show us that we are achieving what we set out to when we envisioned this place.
Its the fact that we have the best people, both admin/mod team as well as the best group of members there are, that makes what we do here possible.
And we fully intend to keep on keeping on!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

I completely agree with Knox. This is my main herp site, I look at a few others but i'm not as actively involved...it's too scary...people are always looking for a reason to give other people a hard time because they think they are the master of all things herp and should be worshipped

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“Be the change you want to see in the world.”

-Mahatma Gandhi

~Lacey~

My Photos

I like this place too Knox. I went to some other forums but none were as involved as this one, you'd wait days for any response at all. I get the answers I need and everyone has been so nice to me here...even if sometimes I ask stupid questions. I'm here to learn, and that's exactly what I've been doing.

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0.1.0 Brazilian Rainbow boa (Sakura)
1.1.0 Leopard geckos (Tasuki, Sango)
2.0.0 Ball pythons (Tsume, Kenshin)

Aww gee whiz Mike. Flattery will get you everywhere. We thank you for the kind words. We just do what we do for the herps. When Rich and Dom decided on what the center would be, they contacted Merlin and he contacted me. Then after a lot of hard work, Rich's dream came to life with the help of the best moderators I have seen anywhere on the net, without whom we would have never succeeded. Thanks guys and gals.

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Fran
January 9, 1940 - June 1, 2006 (R.I.P)

Hello,

I am glad that you are enjoying this site Knox. I also appreciate the nice things you have said about the site.

I think a site lead by example helps to bring out the best in those posting. If you join a site where flaming and derogatory posts are common, you will be ten times more likely to exhibit the same behavior. (Or you will leave. lol)

HC is compromised of reptile enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels. The point of this type of site is to assist with reptile related questions. If those with more experience aren't answering questions, then the point of the site has dissipated.

I have never understood why members would attack another member for asking a husbandry question. I can appreciate those that tire of answering questions that would be covered if everyone researched their reptiles before they brought them home, but this is not a perfect world and everyone has to start somewhere.

First time reptile owners are often mislead by petstores into buying things they don't need and normally receive information that is inacurate on husbandry. When those individuals do further research online and encounter a site like HC, they are more apt to ask questions that do seem somewhat common knowledge for someone that researched. The fact is though, many of those people believed they had it all down because some petstore employee told them everything they needed to know and get.

The best way to approach a newbie with questions like that are to inform them that it is always a good idea to research their pet before they get them, and then answer their question! lol

By informing them to research their next reptile before they get it and answering their current questions, you are preparing them for future additions to their home. If you display a willingness to help, they will get comfortable with your site. Odds are, they will research and ask questions on THAT site before they do get the next herp. You have done your job and helped spread some positive information.

We all started somewhere, and everyone that is helping with a site like this needs to remember that.

Sorry for the long post, but it just irks me how the flaming is mainly done to new owners when these sites are designed to share experiences and information.

Between the staff and our members, I too agree that HC is the place to be. lol

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.:: Rich ::.

+ Spread The Info

I agree that this is the best place. I signed up to alot of sites and they all give answers but some are rude or tell you stuff that you know shouldn't be done. Example: Using sand for leo's. I have tried things that members on this site have advised and find that the members on this site give better advice and just want to help you help your animals, Instead of telling you that you are wrong and then yelling at you for asking how to do it right. Like some of the other sites. This site is a home away from home. I am thankful for this site and all it's members.

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5 Dogs
Candice a collie, Budweiser a black lab, Shotzie a rottweiler, Rocky a german shepherd, & Gizmo a chihuahua.
4 Tabby cats
Magic, Phoebe, Tinkerbell, & Skitzie. Pookie & Boo black & white cats.
Spike a cockatiel. Heaven a leopard gecko. Link & Lucy fire bellied toads. Luke and Laura fire bellied newts.
Disturbed a albino african clawed frog. Snowy a silver molly. Fire a blood fin tetra. Jaws a black molly. Another fish tank with fish and snails galore.

Awwwwww THanks Michael, I feel all warm and fuzzy inside LOL It's nice to hear the compliments...I am proud to be a moderator here....Its the best Reptile Network on the net.....Lyn

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Warmest Regards from Lyn