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I have a few tales from the reptile show this weekend. Names and details have been changed/omitted to protect the not-so-innocent.
Hahaha. Not.
I breed a type of snake that comes in many different colors. As such, I get lots of inquiries about what kinds of snakes I have. I made a sign that said, "Yes, we are all <species>." to attempt to ward off ignorance.
The result was less than successful. I wound up with no less than half a dozen people who thought it was hilarious to read the sign, and then ask me, "Are these snakes all <species>?"
Recognition Problems
My friend helped me out at the booth and also brought a couple of her snakes to sell: ball pythons. Ball pythons are one of the most common pet snakes out there, including at pet stores, and are also popular for breeders because the higher-end morphs are expensive and they can demand more money for them.
I lost count of the number of people who stopped by the table and went, "Nice-looking boas there!" >.<
Yes, because flaunting the law is fun
Along the same lines, I had at least 3 fathers with little boys come up and ask me if there were any "poisonous" snakes at the show.
Number 1, it's venomous. Poisonous refers to your ability to digest the critter. Venomous refers to the ability to somehow inject toxins into you.
Number 2, it's illegal to keep venomous snakes in Colorado. Zoos are a special case, and have to have all sort of precautions. Even if it were legal, you aren't going to see them sitting out on tables in deli cups and no, your kid can't hold one.
I am not allowed to mock this guy's manhood
I sold a few used reptile supplies, and this guy was looking for a container for his something-or-other. The only container I had that would meet his needs was too pink for machoness to withstand.
After circling the show at least three times, the guy finally came back and bought it, because I either had the only thing that would work, or had the cheapest one available.
I was informed by said guy that I was not allowed to make fun of him for purchasing said pink container.
Therefore I shall mock him for making a big deal about it.
The "I-have-6-boas" lady
So there was one lady at the show who stayed the entire time. Near the beginning of the show, she stopped by and was trying to make conversation.
It went something like this:
IH6B Lady: "I have 6 boas." *holds up 6 fingers*
Me: "Ahh, nice."
IH6B Lady wanders off.
Every once in a while she would wander by, and if there was someone standing infront of my booth, she would come up and talk to them.
IH6B Lady: "I have 6 boas." *holds up 5-6 fingers*
It got old fast. >.<
Different species of snake
There was one lady who had her terminology completely confused.
FYI for anyone who isn't aware, the term "hybrid" refers to a critter that comes from two different species of critter somewhere down the line.
A "morph" is a specific appearance (or specific combination of genes that affect appearance). The term is loosely equivalent to "breed" when referring to dogs, but generally morphs are composed of 1-4 genes which affect color and/or pattern (though some are selectively bred).
Anyway, this lady comes up and starts asking me if my snakes are all hybrids.
I inform her that no, they're all pure <species> as far as I know, just different colors.
She then starts pointing to the morph names and asking, "What do you get if you breed this species with that species?"
>.<
Hahaha. Not.
I breed a type of snake that comes in many different colors. As such, I get lots of inquiries about what kinds of snakes I have. I made a sign that said, "Yes, we are all <species>." to attempt to ward off ignorance.
The result was less than successful. I wound up with no less than half a dozen people who thought it was hilarious to read the sign, and then ask me, "Are these snakes all <species>?"
Recognition Problems
My friend helped me out at the booth and also brought a couple of her snakes to sell: ball pythons. Ball pythons are one of the most common pet snakes out there, including at pet stores, and are also popular for breeders because the higher-end morphs are expensive and they can demand more money for them.
I lost count of the number of people who stopped by the table and went, "Nice-looking boas there!" >.<
Yes, because flaunting the law is fun
Along the same lines, I had at least 3 fathers with little boys come up and ask me if there were any "poisonous" snakes at the show.
Number 1, it's venomous. Poisonous refers to your ability to digest the critter. Venomous refers to the ability to somehow inject toxins into you.
Number 2, it's illegal to keep venomous snakes in Colorado. Zoos are a special case, and have to have all sort of precautions. Even if it were legal, you aren't going to see them sitting out on tables in deli cups and no, your kid can't hold one.
I am not allowed to mock this guy's manhood
I sold a few used reptile supplies, and this guy was looking for a container for his something-or-other. The only container I had that would meet his needs was too pink for machoness to withstand.
After circling the show at least three times, the guy finally came back and bought it, because I either had the only thing that would work, or had the cheapest one available.
I was informed by said guy that I was not allowed to make fun of him for purchasing said pink container.
Therefore I shall mock him for making a big deal about it.
The "I-have-6-boas" lady
So there was one lady at the show who stayed the entire time. Near the beginning of the show, she stopped by and was trying to make conversation.
It went something like this:
IH6B Lady: "I have 6 boas." *holds up 6 fingers*
Me: "Ahh, nice."
IH6B Lady wanders off.
Every once in a while she would wander by, and if there was someone standing infront of my booth, she would come up and talk to them.
IH6B Lady: "I have 6 boas." *holds up 5-6 fingers*
It got old fast. >.<
Different species of snake
There was one lady who had her terminology completely confused.
FYI for anyone who isn't aware, the term "hybrid" refers to a critter that comes from two different species of critter somewhere down the line.
A "morph" is a specific appearance (or specific combination of genes that affect appearance). The term is loosely equivalent to "breed" when referring to dogs, but generally morphs are composed of 1-4 genes which affect color and/or pattern (though some are selectively bred).
Anyway, this lady comes up and starts asking me if my snakes are all hybrids.
I inform her that no, they're all pure <species> as far as I know, just different colors.
She then starts pointing to the morph names and asking, "What do you get if you breed this species with that species?"
>.<
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