BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Hey all was pleased to see that the Vic Reptile Expo is back on!

Any of you aussies going? I know I am! Let me know and maybe we can meet up!

If you don't know the details they are below:

Date: February 23
Time: 9am - 5pm
Location: Agricultural hall, Melbourne Showgrounds
Cost: Adults $10, Children $5

Here's the ad! (notice salt and pepper?)

Yeah...had to rub it in, didn't you! Well, I guess herpers everywhere need their fix! Do they have any BIG herp expos down under? Something like the Hamm show in Germany or the Daytona show here in the US?

Thanks Blotch.

I doubt I can make it though.

Not that I'm aware of. It's been some time since I've heard of a reptile show happening, the last one i heard of was in a place called dandenong. I went and it was terrible!!! just a heap of childrens pythons, and beardies basically.

Bummer Geoff! Keep it in mind though, who knows what will happen in the near future.

ill def be going

Blotch wrote:Not that I'm aware of. It's been some time since I've heard of a reptile show happening, the last one i heard of was in a place called dandenong. I went and it was terrible!!! just a heap of childrens pythons, and beardies basically.

Might that be because of the import restrictions, etc.? Wondering why they wouldn't have an "organized" herpers union down there...? There seems to be many shops and breeders...?

That's too bad you don't have many big shows...they are fun to visit if nothing else...

there is a Herp Association, Glenn shea is a part of it I believe, but they basically talk about scientific studies rather than just ENJOY the animals. Basically a bunch of reptile nerds that try to out do each other with knowlege and if that's not the case, they are more than likely Emo or goth wannabes that think having a reptile makes you different.

Ahhh the stigma attatched to Herps.

In regards to the import restrictions, I'm not sure. We have plently of Native reptiles here in Oz, but I guess they just aren't anywhere near as popular as cats and dogs or even farm animals. Most people either own a python of some description, A Bearded Dragon (or a water dragon), maybe a frilly, or the "amateurs" that have Tiliqua.

I say amateurs, cuz for some reason Aussies don't look at blueys quite like a snake or even a beardie. Probably cuz they are so common.

Yeah...sometimes "reptile nerds" can be a turn off if they don't seem to truly ENJOY the animals...just the science behind them.

The stigma attached to reptiles I have never really understood, either...they are just animals that live like any other! Oh well, can't stop 100's of years of in-bred fear and emotion...

That's amazing to see that in writing...

"Aussies don't look at blueys quite like a snake or even a beardie. Probably cuz they are so common."

That would be great to see blueys all over the place! Are they really that common? Guess I have not looked into the numbers/population numbers there...I have heard they are "Common" but, I just thought that it meant if you went looking for them you could probably find one...not that someone might see them every day or every week at least once...?

jasjmm27 wrote:

Blotch wrote:Not that I'm aware of. It's been some time since I've heard of a reptile show happening, the last one i heard of was in a place called dandenong. I went and it was terrible!!! just a heap of childrens pythons, and beardies basically.

Might that be because of the import restrictions, etc.? Wondering why they wouldn't have an "organized" herpers union down there...? There seems to be many shops and breeders...?

That's too bad you don't have many big shows...they are fun to visit if nothing else...

There's many reasons why we don't have herp expos here.
It's a relatively new hobby with a small membership base, the herp societies are dependent on their own funding (ie very little sponsorship) and are dependent of eachother, but the main thing would be the red tape. Each state has different laws governing not just the keeping, but the importing/exporting between states as well as the animals that can be kept in each state, how you can purchase them etc. It's alot to deal with for small societies. For example, I don't know that they've figured out yet how someone in NSW (who needs an import license that can take a couple of weeks to get) will be able to buy an animal down there in Vic. I guess it will be an honour system that the seller agrees to hold the animal for the buyer (and that the buyer carries through with the purchase!). I applaud the people who make them happen here and try to support them but I can't make this one. Take lots of pictures, Luke!

Wow, I thought the restrictions in the States were bad...at least there are very few actual restrictions on what you can own and/or move between states here...it is only international stuff (and Hawaii) that has HUGE restrictions...well, and the poisonous stuff...though they are still out there in force!

I can see how that would slow the growth of any herp societies and expos...

I will lisa! The state laws regarding licencing are strange. I think Victoria (the state in which, myself, Scott, Shingleback, Geoff, Colin and a cpl of others are from), is the only state in Australia in which Blotchies, easterns and I think northerns can be kept without a licence. I'm pretty sure you need a licence for Westerns, and centralians though.

Just another reason why Victoria is the best state in Oz! (that's for you Lisa!)

Blotch wrote:I will lisa! The state laws regarding licencing are strange. I think Victoria (the state in which, myself, Scott, Shingleback, Geoff, Colin and a cpl of others are from), is the only state in Australia in which Blotchies, easterns and I think northerns can be kept without a licence. I'm pretty sure you need a licence for Westerns, and centralians though.

Just another reason why Victoria is the best state in Oz! (that's for you Lisa!)

Colin's in Sydney

I like our herp laws. I think anything that makes it tougher for people to own any animal is a good thing. Animals with special needs like reptiles, even more so. I'm not against people owning animals, they're a great way to teach children responsibility and love and to respect the needs of others for example, but they are a living being wholly dependent on an owner and there's gotta be a way to make people realise this. Don't know what the answer is, but making it harder for people to buy animals is a start.

Vic the best state in Aus? Tell 'im he's dreamin

I thought Colin was in Torquay. Maybe I'm getting mixed up, could it be Geoff that is in Torquay?

Who's in Rosebud then?

ahh it's richard C - my bad!

richy cunningham from happy days

I just bought 2 little Easterns from a guy in NSW and had to pay for the guy to get an export licence to send them to Vic.

Scott

cool have you got them yet??

Next Wednesday expecting them.

Scott

sweet remember

more easterns? Nice orange bellies?