Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

DanLay · Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 3:09 pm Post subject: Young Reptile Keepers

Can I ask why you wouldn't buy animals from a 13 year old? I'd go with how well the animals have been kept, rather than the breeders age.

Edit This post has been split from original thread as it was no longer relevant. -Scott W

jim_radley · Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 3:28 pm Post subject:

I only buy animals that are from an experienced keeper/breeder, and who has a decent knowledge of the herp trade. I once had an adult pair of Beardies from a lad who was 16. He had grown them on from hatchlings. But about 2 months down the line things started going wrong and the female died, I took her and the male along to a local exotic pet vet. After examining the female and male he said that the female had died from a long term metabolic condition, most likely due to a either no uv or a old bulb being used. The male beardie had the same condition, but it wasn't as bad as the females had been. 2 months later he had to be euthanised. So even though I got them from a young keeper who was selling them cheaper than retail, I paid out more than double that in vets fees. So now I buy my animals from experienced keepers who have a good reputation, even though I have to pay more for the animal to start with.

Stuart · Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 4:54 pm Post subject:

Everyone is entitled to form their own opinions but i will say jim there are several "well known" "respected" breeders in the UK that i personally wouldnt trust with a barge pole.. Wink

jim_radley · Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 5:01 pm Post subject:

Yeah I know. I know someone who had some basilisks that ended up having similar conditions to that of my beardies. He had them about 3 months before it started to show, and the breeder who had had them since babies before selling them is high up in IHS. I only use a small handful of people when getting animals.

DanLay · Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 6:51 pm Post subject:

Hi Jim.
Thanks for your reply. I wasn't looking for an argument, just thought it was a interesting point.
I would, however, still be careful painting all 'non-adults' with the same brush. There are a couple of lads (Under 18 ) from Italy and France who have a very impressive knowledge of what they keep (some of the rarest geckos in captivity) and I would certainly rather put my collection in their capable hands than 90% of the adults I have known. You have to remember that these are the people who have time to observe their geckos during the time after school and keep much better records than those adults who are out working a long day.
Sorry to hear that you did have a problem with some of your purchases from a younger breeder, but this will have been replicated by adults breeders alike.

jim_radley · Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 8:00 pm Post subject:

Hi, I know you weren't trying to start argument, and neither was I just sharing my views.

Liam · Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2006 4:00 pm Post subject:

I'm thirteen and am soon going to try to breed crested geckos!
I probably wont sell many and if i do they will only go to people with experience(mine will have everything they need to be healthy and more)
I would much rather buy from someone who is young(13-18)who looks after them well and are healthy than someone older(35-60)who has unhealthy ones in bad conditions!
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