Almost every time someone inquires about emeralds in a forum, at least one reply will contain misinformation (myths) about them. The standards are "nasty disposition and aggressive", "eat birds", "can't handle them", "they are very prone to regurgitation" and very "unforgiving of husbandry errors". Most of this misinformation is generally heresay and unsubstantiated and I have a feeling evolved during the "dark ages" of emerald keeping when wc animals in poor health were the only game in town. I have heard other myths but the ones I mentioned are the most common.

I was wondering if any other species had their associated myths when folks inquire about getting into them?

Craig

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Gems of the Rainforest

How bout Retics, Bloods, GTPs, And the good old American Pitbull Terrier. Just to think of a few animals that have been tainted by years of myth and misinformation.

Ok, besides the dogs,what are some of the myths about the others?

Craig

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Gems of the Rainforest

I think he is also referring to the legendary nasty disposition and agressiveness.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Tegus, most definately. they are always though of to be so mean.

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~Jason Richardson

tokays get a bad rap, they can be tamed down atleast to the point of letting you remove them from their cages to clean it, it just takes determination.

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Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.

~*~Lacey~*~

My Photos

can't say i've heard any myths or misinformation about any of the listed reptiles.

as for the pitbulls though, on the news thiers usually several pitbull attacks a year in Phileadelphia and some other cities around here. usually attacking people for no reason and sometimes killing other peoples pets.

it all has to do with how thier raised though.

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i'd be better off opening my own small zoo.

I recall a documentary where an 'Emmie' took out a bird or two.

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Zane Neher.

The great and strong man is one who bears within his character many contradictions.
Crocodilian care.

On occassion in the wild emeralds will eat birds. A study by Dr. Henderson showed that the majority of stomach contents of the study specimens contained mammals. There are those I'm sure who still believe birds are the main food source and that emeralds catch them in mid flight. Emeralds prefer to use an ambush hunting technique when they hunt at night, but will actively hunt if need be and this is probably when birds are taken while roosting. You probably saw a parrot of some kind being taken.

Craig

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Gems of the Rainforest

Arent Tokay geckos and crested geckos like a chromosome apart? why would they be so much more agressive then Crested Geckos>