super-pede
Arachnobaron
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2010
- Messages
- 543
Specifically subspinipes morphs.I ask because I'm considering selling one to a kid who is 12 that knows quite a bit about them.This thread will decide.
I caught my first Scolopendrid (alternans) using the iron thumb technique when I was six years old.a year later I got my very first subspinipes.As always in such polls, I voted yes, because I am a competent minor that happens to be an invertebrate enthusiast. I figure that other minors are also capable of keeping such critters.
HOWEVER, the decision depends largely upon the judgment of the child at hand. As mentioned, some adults may even lack what I consider to be qualifiers of owners of potentially dangerous species.
The most important part of owning centipedes, in regard to the safety of the owner, IMO, are the enclosure and the methods the owner uses to do cage maintenance, re-housings, etc.. Perhaps you should discuss these (if you haven't already) with the prospective child to determine whether his methods and enclosure meet your safety standards, rather than letting voters that are almost completely unaware of the degree of information he has learned about centipedes decide.
it unfortunately has nothing to do with his knowledge but his parents knowledge. if hes a local kid sit down with the rents and let them know exactly whats up and if they are cool with it then i say go for it. its irresponsible to sell ANY child ANY animal that the parents are fully aware of, especially since this could pose serious injury to the child. remember, though his interest is high and his intelligence is there, he is still a child the potential of accident is just as high.I caught my first Scolopendrid (alternans) using the iron thumb technique when I was six years old.a year later I got my very first subspinipes.
the kid in question comes over to see my collection and helps me feed,house,rehouse,and maintain my collection at least once a week.Trust me,he knows how to take care of them.
yeah I get where you're comin from.it unfortunately has nothing to do with his knowledge but his parents knowledge. if hes a local kid sit down with the rents and let them know exactly whats up and if they are cool with it then i say go for it. its irresponsible to sell ANY child ANY animal that the parents are fully aware of, especially since this could pose serious injury to the child. remember, though his interest is high and his intelligence is there, he is still a child the potential of accident is just as high.
This is very true I must admit.I will probably talk to the kids parents tomorrow.They aren't bug lovers unfortunately.Sadly, personal responsibility isn't taken very seriously in this country. Even experienced keepers make mistakes, and in the eyes of the media and unwashed populace, there is a huge difference between the 25 year old weirdo that got bit by his exotic centipede and wound up in the hospital, and the poor 12 year old that some irresponsible bug-peddler sold a dangerous animal too.
Don't do it. This hobby is already misunderstood, we need to be sure to do what we can to keep potential crap-storms off the local news.
Fact IS! Regardless of this pollJust to clarify, this thread is about whether non-adults as a whole and not just this one kid.
I agree....and bear in mind you are covering your own ass, too...the way US law works, if that kid gets bit and suffers injury, cranky parents could make your life legal hell, criminally and civilly.I would say yes based on your statement that hes knowledgable. But the fact he is a minor changes things and would say no.
So, NO. That is a choice for his parents who have responsibility for him. Talk to them. Children dont have rights or responsibility, two things you have as a adult.
I am troubled by that logic, how would that have worked in the holocaust?We need to police ourselves, so that local governments don't decide to do it for us.
That's an awful big jump there...I am troubled by that logic, how would that have worked in the holocaust?
I have already given him a cingulata(great beginner pede) and a polymorpha(great for beginners).and he has just fallen in love with one of my smaller malaysians(5-6 inches) and if the parents OK it-then it's his.Depends on maturity level of the kiddo, and if the parents say its okay.
I am going to compare this to iguanas, because I got my first iguana when I was 10. Parents let me have it as long as I took care of it, etc, did my research, by the time i was 12 I had 4 iguanas. lol 2f, 2 1/2f, 3 1/4 and a 4 1/2. And I can tell you, my mother wasn't fond of them, and my iguanas weren't fond of her either. (nothing reptilian, or birds is lol) But they where my responsibility.
Though she did buy the veggies. ^^
I must say a 4 1/2 foot iguana is more dangerous then a centipede and much more difficult to give the proper nutrients for.
As long as the parents acceptance is given, and the childs responsibility is proper, and it is CLEAR that it's the kids responsibility to feed it, and you give the parents a CLEAR idea of what would happen if the kid is bit.
I don't really like the idea of the child starting out with a the first scolopendra you mentioned. Why don't you give him a 2 inch centipede of some smaller species, and level up as the months go by. This is great for the parents, gives them some control, and a good learning experience for the kid.
Isn't that how it should go anyways?