Shunned at the Show

[Zdravko092368]

That's awesome Blue Sirtalis and the type of response I would expect. If you just tell people about garters they will look at you all funny eyed and probably think less of you but when you SHOW them how awesome garters can be they will change their mind.

The problem is, 90% of people who have seen a garter, saw your typical striped, ugly, probably dirty/scarred wild garter and it's usually smallish males since they are more common and more active than large females. And if they caught it they probably musked them and were overall nasty animals.

What they don't know is garters come in every colour of the rainbow, tame incredibly well in captivity(no musk, no biting, hand feeders), can get over four feet in some species and can live in groups.

Those things you have to show people cause they'll never believe it if you just tell them. I remember someone telling me garter snakes are like worms why would I want one then I showed him my three foot female and he was shocked that was a garter snake, imagine if I had an adult scotti or chapala to show him. Let's not all forget the people who never owned a garter that say garters are skittish nasty lil' muskers that make poor pets. Yeah because a wild garter is the same as a captive one obviously.

At least now I have this video I can show those people; https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v...68&pnref=story

I'm hoping to vend in two years or so since the small shows where I live tables are very cheap and I'm sure it will go well(i'm not looking to make a profit regardless). People are sick of seeing the same thing at expos all the time and the prejudice towards garters is 100% based on lack of knowledge, once people see them they become believers rather quickly. Besides the super tough guys who just want a snake wristband/necklace to walk around with and show off to their friends, but I don't care about those people anyways since they won't stay interested in reptiles for long based on personal experience.



@Ashley, I believe handing out a care sheet with every garter you sell at an expo is a good idea, for any reptiles, but especially lesser appreciated ones like garters. A lot of bad information out there and most people will think they know what's best for something as simple as a garter and not bother doing research unless you literally give them all the information yourself.