A call for knowledge

[RMKrugel]

After reading one of the other posts, I had to give voice to a recurring idea I have had. To those of you who have read my previous reply, I apologize. This is something I have a particular interest in, and have always felt passionate about the need to increase our understanding and practice of reptile husbandry techniques. If you have any ideas regarding how to go about my proposal, or think it needs refinement or to be scrapped, please let me know.

The members and readers here, represent a vast number of people with cumulative experience and knowledge that is invaluable! I have searched and looked for it, but don’t think there is one single place or source where we can find “definitive” care guides. Not just the standard care sheet, but a trouble shooting guide. Too often, we see that keepers see “care sheets” as something for novices and beginners. The fact is that we are constantly learning more about what some call “commom” species. This information is crucial, and can help even the most practiced herper in times of need. My suggestion is that we pool our resources and start a care section in the classifieds, or post them as a separate discussion forum. Yeah, I know that some areas, like the iguana forum has one as a sticky, but wouldn’t it be nice if they were for multiple species. We all have different animals and experience. This section could be one where we discuss events relating to treatments, care, diet and setup, but in one amalgamated area, rather than having it all segmented. I have searched this forum, and have come up empty handed more than once, I have also been successful too. But we should consider making an effort to get this knowledge accessible. I see all the more that some people see this knowledge as “proprietary”. While credit needs to be given for hard work and discovery, is it not our responsibility to educate people (often buyers or first time owners) about these animals we all care for?

I hope that you agree with this sentiment, and can offer insight as to whom to speak to about this. I know there is a veterinary page, and that some of the suggestions here are found elsewhere, such as the general and the more specific forums, but the idea is to create a care library, or a “one-stop shop” where you can search and find issues and guides relating to your species of interest. At the end of the day, I have yet to meet an enthusiast who does not like to read new, fresh and improved information about care, diet and other such subjects. I hope that we can make such a place.

 

[polasian]

This is more appropriate for the Feedback Forum. As such, I've moved it.

 

[Beardcore]

I agree I very much enjoy new information. Seeing the biggest picture possibly especially because we are caring for them and need to know or beware of all the information there is too know. I hope this idea can be started.

 

[wcreptiles]

Knowledge Base

I always welcome new accurate information. I browse the internet and read about many topics and the information is not always accurate. I have found a lot of reptile sites copy information from others; you may find the same usually unedited information on several sites. This is not necessarily bad but does not add to the knowledge pool. There are different ways to be successful with the same species and that needs to be shared.

I believe for the suggested knowledge base to be successful it needs to be well organized by species/topic/whatever and easily searchable. Perhaps a Reptilia/Amphibia Wiki, maybe even let the arachnids have a little space. Assign edit capabilities by topic and perhaps granted by a group of moderators. I personally would not want an elite group of editors but would want anybody with accurate knowledge to add; while still eliminating the trolls.

I started a feeble attempt at a Reptile Wiki but found it was an overwhelming task and I just didn't have enough personal knowledge.

I will go as far as to offer free hosting (1GB disk space, 4GB bandwidth, cPanel/Fantastico based) for a bona fide attempt at a knowledge base as suggested in this thread. I'll even buy the domain name the first year. The offer assumes this is not implemented on Fauna. IMO: This knowledge base must be closely associated with the Fauna members to have a chance of succeeding.

 

[WebSlave]

I've looked into adding Wiki capability to this site off and on over the years, but so far haven't see any add-on to vBulletin that really looked satisfying. If anyone else has researched this and found a really good product to implement here, please let me know.

 

[RMKrugel]

Expanding ideas...need a platform.

I know from prior experience what a monumental task such an encyclopedia would be. My biggest reason for this suggestion is that the information is readily available through many of the members and through easily accessible resources. What I have been unable to find is the information you need when things don’t go well. This is where this thread/post? would have to diverge from a purely academic manual into a trouble shooting guide. We can all find care info (if we look, or ask). But many authors write on a superficial level, trying to create a care guide for many species. By the same token, the publications dealing with a single species, often skip over crucial information- what to do during quarantine, how to get your new guy to eat, how to entice a picky feeder, and things like- what exactly is “normal”. The last part is pretty crucial. If you have never had an emerald choking mongoose before, how do you know it’s not supposed to be writhing around like that? Maybe it’s supposed to sleep 18 hours a day, and spit in the same corner every three minutes. Or these might be signs of imminent death.

We are by now well versed in the “common” ailments- URI’s, Dysecdysis and some parasitic infestations, but these are not the only ones we deal with, or want to know how to spot. If the information can be categorized in an efficient manner, and portrayed in a way that cuts it to the essentials (or an abridged but not weakened version) then it would not even have to be searchable. This would just be reliant on the information being where it should logically be- i.e. ball python info in the ball discussion section, and so on (but under a specific header)

At this point I have to make mention that I am only using the medical/health points as an example. This “manual” for lack of a better word, would be about husbandry and care, but with emphasis on the tricky parts, whichever those may be for you.

Yes, the information would have to be edited, and monitored. But a compendium of this nature would be unique and invaluable in many ways. I would bank on the fact that we have all had unique experiences, which need to be shared- because it might not stay that way. Even if these experiences are “bad” and lead to the death of a pet. This especially is when we don’t want to post info (since you/I often feel like an idiot at the time). But it could save another from falling in the same trap. The idea would be that this would be engaging, and encourage people to post their experiences, while still being accurate and informative. I recently saw some good examples of this type of discussion in the ball and also colubrid sections on how to get a finicky eater to eat. The many ways people have devised and are effective are pretty astonishing. Now this information just needs to be refined and amalgamated into a single, easily findable source.

Easier said than done.

I recently had one of my monitors die- (turns out it was old age), and wanted to post the “findings”. I searched for information that would help or be relevant- symptoms, cures, suggestions. The problem was, that when it is not one of the usual suspects like endo-parasites, there is no “what you could expect”. I had a necropsy performed and a histopathology done on some tissues, as well as bloodwork prior to his death. Turns out the death was “normal”, but one would never had thought so. My point is, with this information, people in my shoes can decide if this is a similar experience or something different, and discuss this with their vet. The point is not to post info so people can try and treat everything themselves and cut out the local DVM.

I have not figured out a way/found a platform for this. The wiki idea seems like a good idea, and then would just be linked to the relevant areas. I don’t have a social life (serious sarcasm here), so I could try and look into your idea Don, I’ll shoot you a PM. The thing is, not one person alive would have the cumulative knowledge necessary. But I would feel free to bug many people for the info. I worked in the exotic medicine field, and can get input from “qualified” persons also.

 

[thadmy]

Reptile keeping like anything is ALWAYS changing. I have been keeping nonvenomous and venomous for many years now and I know a lot about how to care for multiple spp, but I learn new things all the time. I have had people who are completely new to keeping reptiles teach me new things.

I think we would all benefit from a guide to keeping reptiles wither someone will admit it or not.