User:Jbwexotics

Extreme Herpetoculture
Extreme Herpetoculture differs slightly than herpetoculture. Herpetoculture is the keeping and propagation of live reptiles and amphibians in captivity. It is practiced as a hobby or as a commercial operation. It is predominantly an amateur activity conducted by people with little or no formal background in herpetology or other natural sciences. However many herpetologists are also herpetoculturists. It is slightly different from pet keeping in that a few of its practitioners are somewhat more dispassionate towards their animals; some herpetoculturists do not give names to their animals, which they might dismiss as sentimental anthropomorphism. However in extreme herpetoculture, many other activities also occur. These include fund raising, research, free shows, charity work, etc.

Etymology
The word "extreme herpetoculture" was coined by Josh Willmore the owner of JBW Exotics,and founder of other herp rescue programs, clubs, and charities. The word "herpetoculture" was apparently first devised by Tom Huff to distinguish what he, as a self-described "herpetoculturist", was doing: working to keeping reptiles and amphibians alive from what herpetologists of that era were generally doing, namely, collecting specimens for preservation in a museum collection. However Willmore was quoted saying "I'm an extreme herpetoculturist, and I think most herpetoculturists these days are" "We get out creating and restoring habitats, educating the public, raising money, and so much more." "I think the word herpetoculturist is outdated because we do and know so much more now." "At the time when Huff first coined this term, we were still using guns to collect and document animals, now we have cameras, therefore the way scientists do things has changed and we know so much new info due to technology."